Wayne Fox

KD Reese

Kathleen Diane, KD, Reese is an elementary band director at Palmyra Area School District and French horn player in Perse. A proud 1985 graduate of Wilson High School and 1989 graduate of Gettysburg College, she later earned her Master of Music Education from Lebanon Valley College.

KD’s musical journey began when her dad sold his 1969 Corvette Stingray to buy her the French horn she still plays today. (Yes, she owes him big.) Since starting her teaching career in 1989, she’s been inspiring young musicians in Maryland, Michigan, and Palmyra, where she calls home with her two musical daughters—and one very tolerant, non-musical husband.

From 2014 until COVID intervened, she revived and directed the Palmyra Community Band. When she’s not encouraging (begging) budding musicians to practice, you’ll find her painting, beekeeping, making artisan soap, experimenting with flower farming, adoring her dogs and walking in the woods.

KD is deeply grateful and honored to be playing with the Perseverance Band—because what could be better than making music with great people… besides maybe getting that Corvette back?

Barb Shuey Schamber 

Barb is a 1980 graduate of Northern Lebanon High School where she was very active in concert and marching band under the direction of Harlan A Daubert. When she was in eighth grade her private clarinet teacher, Dan Hoover, encouraged her to audition for PMEA District Band, and she was chosen to participate. 

(Ed. note: I'm surprised you didn't mention your "other" clarinet teacher, who will remain anonymous (initials WF)) 

By the time she was a senior, Barb was a two-time PMEA All State Orchestra member. After graduation, Barb attended Mansfield University. Barb joined the Perseverance Band in 1981 and is honored to perform with a group of very talented musicians. She also performs with her HS Alumni Band and with the Pit Orchestra for the NLHS musical productions. Barb is active in her church as a soloist and with the clarinet trio. In the past she has performed with the Keystone Band. In 1981, Barb’s love for music inspired her to teach private clarinet lessons. Many of her students have excelled to the PMEA District, Regional, and All State level. Two highlights of Barb’s private teaching career were when three of her students furthered their education in Music in college, and another student was selected to perform with the Penn State Blue Band for four years. Barb always enjoyed supporting her students at the festival concerts and attending Penn State Football games just to cheer on her favorite Blue Band Clarinetist. Barb is married with three adult children, and four Grandchildren. She recently retired from the Northern Lebanon School District Business Office. She enjoys time with her family, playing tennis, traveling, and spending time at her cabin in Lycoming County. 

KATHY (CORBIN) SNAVELY

 As a fifth grade student in 1973 at Palmyra’s Pine Street Elementary School, Kathy began playing clarinet in her school band.  She was greatly influenced in her choice of clarinet by her parents watching the “Lawrence Welk Show” every Saturday evening, especially watching clarinetist Henry Cuesta.  Kathy played clarinet during all her school days at Palmyra Middle School and High School under the direction of Fred Otto and Bruce Weaver, who taught her first clarinet lesson.  In high school she participated in district and regional band and orchestra and participated in Pennsylvania All State Orchestra in 1981 as first clarinetist, playing the clarinet solo in “The Pines of Rome.”  Following graduation from Palmyra High School in 1981, Kathy joined  the Keystone Band of Rehrersburg in 1982 and the Perseverance Band of Lebanon in 1983.  She enjoys playing in these two bands immensely, particularly playing all the John Philip Sousa marches.  She has performed continuously with these two historic bands to the present day, spanning  more than 4 decades.  Kathy has also performed with the Ephrata Concert Band, Harrisburg Concert Band and Lebanon Community Concert Band as well as her own church orchestra at Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Lebanon.    

Kathy has worked for 3 decades for Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center as a medical transcriptionist and for the past 5 years worked exclusively for Berks Cardiology, a satellite of Penn State Health.  She previously worked as a medical transcriptionist for Philhaven Hospital.   Kathy resides in Gretna Springs with her husband of 40 years, Irvin.  Kathy and Irvin have 2 adult daughters, Karen Swetland and  Allison Snavely.  Karen can be seen  playing oboe in the Perseverance Band occasionally and playing with the Rehrersburg Band.  Kathy and Irvin also have two grandsons, Luke and Peter Swetland.    In Kathy’s spare time, in addition to performing in the Perse and Rehrersburg Bands, she enjoys spending time with family, traveling with Irvin, spending time with her dog and attending Barry Manilow concerts.  In 1973 as a fifth grader, Kathy would have never envisioned a lifetime of playing clarinet with many great musicians and having music be such an integral part of her life and a lifetime source of enjoyment.