Overcash honored with CVSM Bravissimo Award

Richard Overcash

CHAMBERSBURG - Richard Overcash of Greencastle was honored during a Showcase Concert sponosred by the Cumberland Valley School of Music Sunday, Oct. 21 at Thomson Alumnae Chapel, Wilson College.

Overcash was honored with special performance by a Men's Chorus, led by his former student Nathan Zullinger, accompanied by pianist Jeffrey Noll.

The Bravissimo Award is given to an individual who has contributed immensely, through years of service, to the cultural betterment of the Cumberland Valley. It was last awarded in 2005 to Herm Hopple.

A native of Greencastle, Overcash is a vocalist, private voice instructor, conductor, and teacher. He received his Bachelor of Music Education from Elizabethtown College and Masters Degree in Music Education from Temple University. Continuing his education, he studied conducting with Robert Page and Robert Morgan and voice with Janette Ogg and Robert Regal.

Overcash is a well known soloist in the area. He has taught music in private and public schools as well as serving for eight years on the faculty of Tennessee Temple University. He has guest conducted at numerous events in New York, Tennessee and most recently for the Franklin-Fulton County Chorus in 1996 and 2004. He has served as choral director at numerous schools and churches and currently is Minister of Music at Calvary Bible Church, Greencastle.

Of all his musical functions, he is probably best known and widely respected as a private vocal instructor. Overcash has taught hundreds of private vocal students throughout his career and has taught at CVSM for 16 years. He approaches each student with equal care, striving to build a solid vocal technique that will serve them in whatever genre they choose to sing. He has had numerous students go on to pursue careers in music and many more who continue singing as adults in community and church settings. He has significantly contributed to the musical community in this area and beyond. His students possess a great fondness for him not only as a highly competent vocal instructor but also as an exceptional human being.

The concert featured some of the best musical talent in the Cumberland Valley and covered a wide variety of musical styles from classical and opera to musical theater, jazz, and popular American song. It also included a special tribute to Overcash, who received the Bravissimo Award for his outstanding and ongoing contributions to the arts community.

Some highlights included acclaimed Washington Opera tenor Corey Evan Rotz, violinist Scott Matlock, sopranos Paula Hepfer and Suzanne Sweigart, mallet percussionist Marlin Barnes, cellist Jane Peatling, organist Pamela Wert, pianist Brian Helman, dancers Nancy Walker and Jef Savage, clarinetist Carl Sponenberg, pianist Julie Emig, bassist Herm Hopple, drummer Sam Hepfer, a student vocal ensemble (featuring our awardwinning students Jessica Harney, Gabrielle Sanfilippo, and Gloria Showalter), a student and teacher piano quartet (featuring Diana Reinert, Pamela Wert, Alexander Johnson, Paul Lessard), and other surprises.