Freedom Credit Union donates $4K to Westover Galaxy Community Council

SPRINGFIELD — Throughout November, Freedom Credit Union collected donations at all its branches on behalf of the Westover Galaxy Community Council to support military service members and their families at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee. A total of $2,032.83 was collected, which the credit union matched for a total donation of $4,065.66.

“Throughout the year, our monthly giving campaigns are met with terrific support, for which we are grateful,” Freedom Credit Union President Glenn Welch said in a statement. “We really wanted to close out the year with a bang, so we matched the donations we received for this worthy cause. The holidays can be particularly hard for our military members and their families, especially when they are separated. The Westover Galaxy Community Council works to ease this difficulty by offering special events and resources.”

Formed in 1988 as a committee within the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce and incorporated as an independent organization in 1989, the Westover Galaxy Community Council is made up of veterans, local businesspeople and other citizens who support the men, women and mission of the Westover Air Reserve Base. The council raises money to contribute to events and special needs at the base.

Freedom Credit Union has branches across western Massachusetts, including in Greenfield and Turners Falls.

Deerfield resident tapped as music director

ARLINGTON — Beginning in March, Deerfield resident Michael Pfitzer will be music director at the Mystic Chorale, an Arlington-based non-audition chorus that offers three seasons of singing annually.

Pfitzer will direct the fall and spring seasons; Mystic’s traditional gospel season is being conducted by Jonathan Singleton this winter.

Currently the choral director at Deerfield Academy, Pfitzer has conducted choirs at Harvard University and Boston University, and has led international performances in Cuba, Romania and Brazil. He has also conducted dozens of musical theater and opera productions, led clinics and orchestral festivals, and performed as an oratorio soloist.

Pfitzer is only the second music director in the history of the 34-year-old Mystic Chorale, assuming the role after a lengthy search following founder Nick Page’s move to the Midwest.

Board Co-President Olivia Tappan said Pfitzer “has all the right stuff for Mystic. He is enthusiastic, supportive, encouraging and inclusive, regardless of our ability or skill level. He embraces our mission. We feel blessed that he will be joining us.”

Reflecting on this new position, Pfitzer remarked, “I could not be happier. The organization was built by Nick Page and our incredible staff and volunteer leadership to be a welcoming musical home for all who love to sing, and that tradition continues in full force today. I look forward to working with everyone at the Mystic Chorale to continue the group’s deep and storied history into its next chapter.”