Steven K. Ricks, president of Celebrations In Music, Inc., the nonprofit Idaho corporation which produces Hymns of Thanksgiving, was born and raised in Boise, Idaho, and graduated from Borah High School. After obtaining an undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University in Political Science, he studied law, receiving a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Idaho. Returning to Boise, he maintained a private law practice before retiring in 1996.
Extensively involved in public service in the valley and state, he is one of five elected Trustees on the Board of Trustees of the Ada Community Library, which operates four branch libraries in various locations in Ada County.
Steven was an appointed member of the Open Spaces Task Force of Ada County, the mission of which was to study trends and issues regarding the preservation, development, and acquisition of open spaces in Ada County and to make policy recommendations to the Ada County Commissioners. Steven served on the Board of Directors of the Kuna Chamber of Commerce and as its Government Relations Director for many years. He has written a column for the Kuna Melba News since 2006. He has also been a member of the Ada County Lincoln Day Association Executive Committee.
By far the most intense public service to which Steven is devoted is the annual production of Hymns of Thanksgiving, Idaho’s yearly celebration of our uniquely American holiday. Steven works on this event throughout the year, but in August, September, October, and November it becomes the primary focus of his attention.
Steven is married to the former Susanne Haslam, a very accomplished pianist and organist, who is the rehearsal accompanist for the Hymns of Thanksgiving Choir. Steven and Susanne have six children and ten grandchildren. They have lived in southwest Ada County for 29 years.
George and Sharon Wadsworth, Hymns of Thanksgiving Choir Personnel Directors, have lived in Boise since 1963, and graduated from Boise schools. George obtained an accounting degree from Brigham Young University and Sharon attended Boise State University. They were married in 1971 and have four children. George is a Certified Public Accountant and partner in the local accounting firm of Crandall, Swenson, Gleason & Wadsworth, and has been the accountant for Hymns of Thanksgiving for several years. Sharon is also employed at the same accounting firm.
They enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren and love the quality of life available here in the Treasure Valley. They have been involved in leadership capacities in local sports organizations, the Boy Scouts of America, youth and adult church groups, and professional associations.
George and Sharon have participated in school and church choirs for many years, and look forward to singing in the Hymns of Thanksgiving Choir again this year. They are excited and honored to be a part of this tremendous community and statewide event.
Jennie Ficks, Hymns of Thanksgiving Orchestra Personnel Director (winds and brass), also plays the horn in the Orchestra. She has been organizing musicians and her own music library almost continuously since 1974.
Jennie has served in both volunteer and professional music/personnel management positions for the Boise Philharmonic, the Treasure Valley Youth Symphony, several BSU student ensembles, Boise Music Week, Humboldt State University’s Chamber Music Workshop, numerous church music groups, and several brass and wind quintets.
She has organized large gala concerts on National Cancer Survivors Day in 2003, 2004, and 2005 as a tribute to her late brother Bill. She has raised money to help those currently battling the disease through the St. Alphonsus Medical Center Foundation. Miss Ficks is currently employed by Boise State University in the Department of Music.
Jonelle Darrow, Hymns of Thanksgiving Orchestra Personnel Director (strings), was born and raised in Boise, and is a true Idaho native. Feeling right at home in both the great outdoors and in small city life, she has a deep passion for nature and animals, and teaching music to children. Being a student of life showed her that music is the perfect way to bring together people from all backgrounds. She believes Hymns of Thanksgiving and Boise Music Week are amazing cultural events that bring the community together in ways that are unique to Boise.
In the middle of her college career, Jonelle could no longer ignore the urge to explore the world to find a way to give back. She was led to interview with the international organization Up With People, and upon acceptance, toured for 12 months performing in Australia, Mexico, Canada, the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. Given the opportunity to live with host families taught Jonelle to understand how small the world is, and how easily our actions affect others.
Upon graduating in 1996 with a Bachelor of Music degree from Boise State University, and with a world tour under her belt, Jonelle has developed and maintained a large private violin studio. Her students learn about life as well as develop their musical talents. Jonelle currently performs with Boise Baroque and with her own string quartet.
Along with their young son, Jackson, she and her husband make their home in Boise.
Savanna Seaman, Concertmaster, received her Bachelor of Musical Arts with an emphasis in String Pedagogy from Brigham Young University – Idaho in 2007. She then pursued an advanced degree at Boise State University, earning a Masters in Music String Performance in 2010.
Savanna has enjoyed playing violin for over twenty years and has performed in symphony orchestras in Twin Falls, Rexburg, and Boise. She currently and happily teaches a studio of over thirty students, and has taught violin at Arts West Academy in Eagle.
This will be Savanna’s fifth year with the Hymns of Thanksgiving Orchestra, and her first as Concertmaster.