Meet the Director

Donna's lifelong love of music began in Bendersville where she was born and raised, and still lives. Her father was in the orchard business, and started Kime's Cider Mill in 1957, which is still operated today by her brothers.

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Donna started taking piano lessons when she was 11 years old, under the guidance of the pastors wife at Bethlehem Lutheran Parsonage. It wasn't long before she was accompanying hymn singing for the children's Sunday School. By the time she was 16, she was playing for singers and instrumentalists sharing their musical talents at churches and nursing homes.

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Mastering the piano wasn't enough for Donna. In elementary school she picked up a trumpet and joined the school band. Donna also plays the flute and can be seen performing with the Flute Flock of Gettysburg. Donna also shares her talents as assistant organist at Benders Lutheran Church and organist at Trinity UCC Church both in Biglerville.

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In 1976, when the Apple Core band was first forming, Donna joined on trumpet and has been a member ever since, taking time off to raise her children. In 1999, former director Virginia Martin wanted to step down, but no one wanted to step up and take her place. Donna didn't want the band to disband, so she took the baton and gave it a try. She's been conducting the band ever since then.

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In 2005 Donna was diagnosed with breast cancer, and as a survivor she continues to lead the band in a variety of annual concerts, from military ceremonies to nursing home and fundraising events.

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Amid her conducting chores with the Apple Core Band, Donna works seasonally at the family cider mill, sorting apples, operating canning machines, and driving a forklift. Although she likes to keep her civic activities pianissimo, she is well known for her commitment to the Bendersville community, organizing musical fundraisers to benefit the fire company and having served as a member of the borough council.

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However, the most important thing is still her music. As a breast cancer survivor, she feels every day she can make music is a gift.

"Music is good medicine and Talent is a Gift from God, so don't hide it under a basket. use it to bring Joy to others."

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Info taken from the Gettysburg Times