BY PATRICK MCNALLY
Staff Writer

Freda Shemberg Dungan started the road to a musical career early, at the age of eight. A neighbor girl that she was friends with talked about her piano lessons. "I asked my mother if I could take lessons," Dungan said. "(the friend) stopped, I didn't. I'm still friends with her."

That early beginning started Freda Shemberg Dungan on her road to a career of performing sacred music throughout Northeast Philadelphia, as a pianist and organist. After becoming proficient at piano, Dungan became interested in classical and sacred music, and set her sights on mastering the church organ. She landed her first church job at the age of sixteen, as organist for a Presbyterian church. She moved around to several churches, finally settling in at All Saints Church in Torresdale.

Dungan retired from All Saints after twenty four years as organist and choir director in 1989. I enjoyed working with (All Saint's pastor) Fr. Chinn," she said. "He was always appreciative of the music."

Early on, Dungan's musical accomplishments were noticed by a group in the area. Known as The Northeast Oratorio Society, the group was made up of singers from various choirs in the Northeast, who were looking for a outlet to perform the types of sacred and classical music that were very rarely, if ever performed in local churches. Dungan was asked to become accompanist for the group, a position that she held for fifteen years.

Then, the musical director retired, and the society asked Dungan to fill in at the volunteer position, until another could be found. That was twenty years ago. "They never found anyone," Dungan said.

It was a happy circumstance for both sides. Since she has taken the baton, Freda Shemberg Dungan has taken the Northeast Oratorio Society and increased it- from Mozart to Brahms, from Beethoven to Mendelssohn. "They love it," Dungan said. "The things we do are more challenging."

Under Dungan, the society has spread its wings, performing concerts at different venues in the area. Many times, they have caroled in the lighting of the Christmas tree at Glen Foerd mansion. Many senior centers and homes have been given free concerts and the group has also performed in Bermuda, Sturbridge Massachuset, Ocean City, New Jersey and Cape May.

An important association happened at the beginning of Dungan's tenure, when she attended a concert at Resurrection Episcopal church in Mayfair. Looking for an accompanist to replace herself, Dungan heard and met organist Elva Jackson. She immediately asked Jackson to play for the Oratorio Society after the service. That has become a twenty year collaboration and friendship between the two talented women. "We have been very fortunate to have Elva as our accompanyist," Dungan said.

But all good things must come to an end. After the Northeast Oratorio Society's spring concert on April 23 at St. James Lutheran Church in Northwood, Freda Shemberg Dungan will be stepping down as musical director. "I'm getting older, going out at night and standing all night,"

Dungan said. "While things are going good, I just think that it's time." Dungan also wants to travel more with her husband of four years, Bill Dungan. They have already planned trips to Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Florida.

Dungan still plans to attend the society's concerts. "I'll enjoy them and give my opinions," she said. "Music is so rewarding, and does so much for you."

The Northeast Oratorio Society will be performing Brahm's German Requiem Mass for their Spring Concert on Sunday, April 26th at St. James Lutheran Church, located at Pratt Street and Castor Avenue in Northwood. Performance time is 3:30pm. Tickets are not needed, and Castor Avenue in Northwood. Performance time is 3:30 p.m. Tickets are not needed, and there will be a free will offering at intermission.

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