The sound of talented students greets you as you walk down the hall of the Student Activity Building at Liberty HS. The chorus room is located adjacent to the band room and can be distinguished by the trail of warm-ups, strains of the Alma Mater, or the chorus from Handel’s “Hallelujah,” that float through the door.

This year marks Julie Wydrzynski’s return to Liberty HS as the new choir director after the retirement of Gayle Justice. “I couldn’t be more excited, I couldn’t be more proud and I couldn’t be more invested in this music program. When I found out I was selected to take this position… you can’t imagine how excited I was,” Wydrzynski said.

Justice, Wydrzynski’s predecessor, was a beloved member of the Liberty community and it was a sad day when she announced her plans to retire after years of invaluable service. Along with the sadness of saying goodbye came some amount of fear and uncertainty that her replacement would put an end to the long-standing traditions choir members have grown to love. Senior Adriana Safara remembers, “Last year the choir members were scared that choir would not be good this year because they didn’t believe that there could be someone else like Ms. Justice. Ms. Justice made this organization a great success, but there is no doubt in my mind that Mrs. Wydrzynski will do the same.”

For Safara and other seniors who have spent two or three years with Justice, it has been a bit of an adjustment, but the fact that Wydrzynski was one of Justice’s students provides a great deal of comfort. Wydrzynski addressed these concerns, saying, “Liberty’s traditions are near and dear to my heart. I plan to carry out many of the traditions that we have been doing forever ... I also plan to incorporate some new ones.”

Since Wydrzynski graduated from Liberty in 2005, she has been away from Bethlehem and the Bethlehem Area School District for some time. She attended West Chester University and then worked at a high school in Chester County for eight years. She is excited to be returning and has a new perspective after being away. “Being a Liberty grad and having been in Ms. Justice’s choir ... it’s humbling and extremely exciting to return. It is really unique to come in on this side of the fence. I can relate to the students because it has not been that long since I was in their seats; a student in the choir and the band and orchestra. It is now so exciting to give my own touch and taste to our music department.

“My husband and I have a 2-year-old daughter and we moved back to the area to be close to family. I lived here, I grew up here, I went to Hanover, Nitschmann and Liberty. I loved my job in Chester County – it was very difficult to leave – but there is no place like Bethlehem. The community is so strong and supportive; they are invested in the arts and it is just one of the million reasons why I wanted this job. And I am so excited to be here.”