Orpheus Club Men’s ChOrus Presents its annual
Spring ConCertS
660 Harristown Road Glen Rock, NJ 07452 201-445-5668 www.perrysflorist.net
Celebrating Americana in Song ...and commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War’s end
John Palatucci**
saturday, april 18, 2015 7:30 p.m. sunday, april 19, 2015 4:00 p.m. ridgewood united Methodist Church Ridgewood, new Jersey
Conductor
James Rash** Assistant Conductor
Ron levy* Pianist
aaRon PomeRoy Percussion
dotti fucito, Visual Producer usheRs: Friends of the Orpheus Club
BoB Kaufmann Saxophone
Jay vandeKoPPle Bass
w w w. r i d g e wo o d o r p h e u s cl u b . o r g
Save the dateS!
Special ThankS
The annual Orpheus Club
holiday concerTS
to the ownership and management of
Saturday, December 19, 2015 • 7:30 pm Sunday, December 20, 2015 • 4:00 pm
Care One at the Cupola
Mark your calendars now so you won’t miss this delightful way to celebrate the season.
W. 100 Ridgewood Avenue, Paramus, NJ
Perry’s Florist
660 Harristown Rd., Glen Rock, NJ
Daily Treat Restaurant 177 Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, NJ
Town & Country Apothecary 60 East Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, NJ
Lewis Drugs 298 Westwood Avenue, Westwood, NJ
Benny’s Luncheonette 11-04 Saddle River Road, Fair Lawn, NJ
Rock Ridge Pharmacy 191 Rock Road, Glen Rock, NJ
The Wine Seller 6 West Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, NJ
Wine & Spirit World 626 North Maple Ave., Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ
! d e t n a W H S r e i ng
S rpheuS n e M for o
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Our Wednesday evening rehearsals start again September 9, 2015 8 to 10 p.m. The Georgian Room Care One at the Cupola W. 100 Ridgewood Avenue, Paramus
The Orpheus Club appreciates your help and support!
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Call for more information! Greg Farrell 201-652-2873 Bill Amazzini 551-404-3976 Bob Husband 201-602-9092
• Enjoy the Camaraderie • It’s a great weekly bre ak • Come to rehearsal—try us out! 19
Welcome! Welcome to the gala spring concerts of the Orpheus Club. One of the oldest male choruses in the Northeast, Orpheus was established in 1909 by a group of eight Ridgewood businessmen and is dedicated to the continuance of men’s choral singing, fellowship and to providing audiences with an eclectic repertoire of enjoyable music. Our singing membership is made up of men from all walks of life drawn together by the common bond of music. Our singers now come from northern and central New Jersey. We welcome your inquiries about singing with us. If singing is not for you but you enjoy attending our concerts, we invite you to consider becoming a subscribing member. As such, you will be kept apprised of our upcoming concerts and will enjoy significant savings on the cost of tickets. For more information feel free to speak with any singing member after the concert, visit our website (www.ridgewoodorpheusclub.org), or write to us (PO Box 114, Ridgewood).
25 yearS
JOHN J. PALATUCCI enjoys a distinguished career as a performing musician, conductor, clinician, an adjudicator and educator. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education and a Master of Arts degree in music performance from Montclair State College of New Jersey as well as a Master of Education degree in educational leadership with the accompanying supervisory and administrative certifications from NJ EXCEL. Mr. Palatucci has performed in concert under the batons of such noted conductors as Henry Brant, Lucas Foss, Morton Gould, Skitch Henderson, Alan Hovhaness, and Karel Husa. Appearances with other musical luminaries range from Placido Domingo, Jerome Hines and Robert Merrill to Dave Brubeck to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. In 1991, he recruited and managed a 3,000 voice choir for appearances by the Rev. Billy Graham in what was then the Brendan Byrne Arena. Several pieces composed for men's chorus have been dedicated to Mr. Palatucci and his setting of The Sussex Mummers' Christmas Carol has been published by the International Percy Grainger Society. Beginning in the fall of 1990, Mr. Palatucci assumed the directorship of the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus of Ridgewood. During his tenure, he has striven to uphold and enhance the OCMC’s proud history, tradition and reputation. These efforts include performances of Johannes Brahms’ Alto Rhapsody with the Adelphi Chamber Orchestra, Randall Thompson’s The Testament of Freedom and Giuseppi Verdi’s Hymn to the Nations with the Orchestra of Saint Peter-by-the-Sea, Howard Hanson’s Song of Democracy, Ottorino Respighi’s Laud to the Nativity, Aaron Copland’s Old American Songs and the revised finale to Richard Wagner’s opera Tannhäuser with the Ridgewood Concert Band.
Lisasmediterraneancuisine.net
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Mr. Palatucci led the OCMC in its 2005 Lincoln Center debut, performing at the Lincoln Center Library with the Palisades Virtuosi chamber ensemble. During the OCMC’s centennial year in 2009 he led a Ridgewood community choral festival which culminated in a performance with orchestra and soloist Ron Levy of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy. In 2011, with Mr. Levy he again prepared the OCMC and its sister ensemble, the Ridgewood Choral, for a performance of the Beethoven Choral Fantasy with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra while also leading members of the OCMC in a 2013 performance at Carnegie Recital Hall. Assistant Conductor Jim Rash is in his 25th year as a singing veteran of the Orpheus Club and has been President along with several other leadership positions. For 26 years he has served as Music Director at Hackensack United Methodist Church and previously directed two church choirs in Virginia. Jim performed at Carnegie Hall in 2009 and 2010, and Avery Fisher Hall-Lincoln Center in 2012, singing with a 400member international chorus and orchestra. He serves as General Manager of the Atempo Chamber Ensemble and is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, Associated Male Choruses of America, Chorus America, the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music, and the National Association for Music Education. Jim is Vice President – Sales Development at Dittman Incentive Marketing in New Brunswick, NJ.
TranSlaTion flower Duet Leo Delibes Under the thick dome where the white jasmine With the roses entwined together On the river bank covered with flowers laughing in the morning Let us descend together! Gently floating on its charming risings, On the river’s current On the shining waves, One hand reaches, Reaches for the bank, Where the spring sleeps, And the bird, the bird sings. Under the thick dome where the white jasmine Ah! calling us Together!
Ron Levy, internationally acclaimed pianist, has been called "first-class" by the New York Times. He regularly appears as a soloist, and in partnership with many of the world's leading singers and instrumentalists. A graduate of Oberlin, Mr. Levy is a founding member of the Hudson Trio, Kaleidoscope, the New World Trio, the Manchester Chamber Players, the Breucklen Trio and the award-winning Palisades Virtuosi, resident chamber ensemble at Bergen Community College and the University of Hawaii. He has been pianist and harpsichordist of the Oberlin Orchestra, the Adelphi Chamber Orchestra, the New Jersey and North Jersey Philharmonics, the Westchester Symphony, and the Albany Symphony. Presently he is Associate Artist with the All Seasons Chamber Players. For over 20 years, Mr. Levy was associated with the Manchester (VT) Music Festival, of which he was a faculty and Board member. While living in Vermont, he was Music Director & Conductor of the Opera Theatre in Weston, and impresario of the "Third Saturday" chamber music series at the historic Equinox Hotel, as well as the "Music on the Hill" series at the Southern Vermont Art Center. A champion of new music, he has been the recipient of a considerable number of works written for him by prominent composers. Mr. Levy has taught at numerous colleges, and is currently an instructor at 4
May 8, 2015 Orpheus joins the Ridgewood Concert Band to perform a medley from The Beatles’ Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
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Montclair State University; he maintains an active and on-going affiliation with the Manhattan School of Music, Juilliard, and NJ PAC. Mr. Levy conceived two "mini-festivals" which were presented by the NY Public Library at Lincoln Center. In 2008 Mr. Levy played in St. Petersburg, Russia, and at the venerable Stratford (CA) Summer Music Festival (with Palisades Virtuosi). Recently, Ron performed the inaugural concert of the new faculty recital series at MSU. He was joined by legendary clarinet virtuoso Stanley Drucker, and Ann Kim, solo cellist with the NY City Ballet. On November 29, 2013 Ron presented a concert at Carnegie Hall, performing sixteen works written for him (including two for the Orpheus Club). A two-term President of the Professional Music Teachers' Guild of NJ, he is a contributing editor to BIM Music Publications, Switzerland. Recently Mr. Levy was appointed to the Board of the Rockland (NY) Symphony. Mr. Levy served on the jury of the The 2013 Heida Hermanns International Piano Competition. Recordings by Mr. Levy are available on the Albany, Centaur, Eroica, Koch International, MMF and High Point labels. JAy VANDekOPPLe is Principal Double Bass in the Bergen Philharmonic and Adelphi Chamber Orchestra, and freelances throughout the Northern New Jersey area in both orchestral and chamber music. His orchestral experience has included Principal Bass in the Grand Rapids (MI) Symphony and the North Jersey Philharmonic; and section bassist in the New Jersey State Opera and the Somerset Hills Symphony (NJ). He has studied Double Bass with Peter Pocze, Warren Benfield, and Linda McKnight. He participated as a student in the Congress of Strings (USA/Canada) and Meadowbrook School of Music (MI) programs, and as staff bassist at the Eastern Music Festival (NC). Dr. VandeKopple has a Ph.D. in Mathematics, and has always been intrigued by the relationship of music and mathematics, and by stringed instrument acoustics and the physics of sound. He is a Professor Emeritus of Math/CIS at Marymount College of Fordham University in Tarrytown, NY. Dr. VandeKopple currently makes, repairs, and restores double basses, and serves as a Board member of the Violin Society of America (VSA) and as head of the Catgut Acoustical Society.
BReAkFAST • LUNCH • DINNeR Serving the Community for 50 Years
mUSic For a SUmmer eVeninG Bring your chairs and blankets and join us for a free Orpheus Club concert at the Kasschau Shell
Tuesday, July 7 at 8:30 pm Special guests Ridgewood Concert Band and Ridgewood Choral 16
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credited with the spiritual, “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.” Like many spirituals, “Steal Away” longs for the time when troubles of this world will be replaced with the joys of heaven. workiN’ for the DAwN of peAce By Ron Jeffers
orpheUS clUb ScholarShip proGram Roland L. Meyer Orpheus Club Scholarship The Orpheus Club is proud to sponsor a scholarship program designed to honor and assist a graduating high school senior who has demonstrated extraordinary accomplishment in music and who intends to continue musical studies on the collegiate level. Since the program took on its current form in 1993, we have been pleased to recognize students from more than a dozen area high schools with grants totaling $21,000.00. These outstanding young musicians have gone on to study at colleges and universities across the country. Earlier this year, application packets were sent to area high schools. Additional information was made available on our web site and through the press. The students from whom we received applications all demonstrated high levels of accomplishment in their musical pursuits as well as in academics and other school activities. We are pleased to announce that the winner of the 2015 Roland L. Meyer Orpheus Club Scholarship award of $2000.00 is Christina George from Newton. A multitalented instrumentalist, she is a senior at Kittatinny Regional High School. Christina has been a member of her school’s Concert Band, Wind Symphony, Jazz Band and Marching Band where, as a senior, she served as Drum Major. She has also played in the pit orchestra for several school musical productions. Christina has been selected to the NJ Region I Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Orchestra and Chamber Ensemble. She has been active in numerous other school organizations and community activities and has been selected to the National Honor Society.
Congratulations and Good Luck, Christina!
Ron Jeffers, a contemporary arranger of choral music, took a famous Civil War song, “Tenting on the Old Camp Ground,” and wove it together with “Two Brothers” – written in 1951 – to make this touching commentary on the divisions caused by that war. “Tenting Tonight” was written by Walter Kittridge (18341905), a singer drafted into the Union army in 1863. “Two Brothers” is by Irving Gordon (1915-1996). Gordon wrote many song parodies of the 1930s and words to some of Duke Ellington’s music. He is the composer of “Unforgettable,” a song made famous by Nat King Cole in 1951. BAttle hymN of the repuBlic Words by Julia Ward Howe. Arranged by Peter J. Wilhousky
Julia Ward Howe wrote the words to this American patriotic classic in 1861 and, attached to a tune with a longer history in folk music and hymnody, it was published in The Atlantic Monthly in 1862 and quickly became a popular anthem for the Union Army in America’s Civil War. The anthem’s stirring declaration of God’s triumphant truth and justice has made it an inspiring theme in many places. Sir Winston Churchill asked that it be played at his funeral. The arrangement by Peter J. Wilhousky (1902-1978), a Passaic-born composer who became head of the music department for the New York City public schools during the 1930s and 1940s. His is the most popular setting of this American classic. Program notes written by Charles Austin
A New wAy to Support orpheuS
All contributions are tax-deductible.
Now you can support as you shop! Amazon.com has a program whereby they will donate ½ percent of the purchase price of whatever goods and services you purchase to Orpheus. You pay nothing extra for this program and it looks exactly as you’re used to seeing when you access the regular Amazon web site. To login to Amazon Smile mereScan this code to ly reference this link: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/22-3597641 and go directly to the Orpheus link. you will see our name displayed at the top of the screen. Shop exactly the same as you would under regular Amazon. There is also a download link that will install an icon on your PC that will start you in Amazon Smile: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1002402211
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We thank all the individuals and groups who made donations to this valuable effort. Your support is much appreciated by the club and the student award recipients. Donations of any size are welcomed. Make your check payable to the Orpheus Club Scholarship Fund and give it to any singing member or mail it to:
Orpheus Club, Inc. P.O. Box 114 Ridgewood, NJ 07451
every concert. Richard wrote “The Voice of Music” for the Orpheus Club in 1969. It is a tribute to the art which he shared with us during his life and because the voice of music never dies, we are able to share it with our audiences after his death. Every time we sing one of his songs, many of us remember him at the piano as we rehearse and perform; our dear friend Richard smiling and frowning (but mostly smiling.) hope Words by Pamela Stewart, Music by Greg Gilpin Arranged for the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus in celebration of 25 years of singing and leadership by James Rash, assistant director
officerS Bob Husband .............................................................President Bill Amazzini .................................Vice President, Membership Dave Kerr,..................................Vice President, Administration Peter Bernich ..............................................................Treasurer Neil Neubert ................................................................Librarian Greg Farrell..................................Chairman, Board of Trustees
Words and music blend, grow and reach an inspiring conclusion in this piece by Pamela Stewart and Greg Gilpin. Hope begins in a breath, echoes in the laughter of children and the songs of birds, rises from ashes of despair and beats “within the frailest heart.” Living on in dreams and though buffeted by the winds of fear and storms of doubt, hope cannot die. Greg Gilpin is an award winning composer and director of educational choral music for Shawnee Press publishers. Pamela Stewart is a contemporary poet. The Orpheus Club is especially proud to present this arrangement of “Hope” which was written by Greg Gilpin in honor of our assistant director Jim Rash and his 25 years of singing and leadership with us.
Thomas Olszewski
hymN of triumph By Thomas Juneau, text from Zephaniah 3:17
Paul Berinato ..................................................................................................Music
BoArD of truSteeS SiNGiNG memBerS
Steve Amarante
Steven Fell
Clifford Gerenz Henry Trepicchio
NoN-SiNGiNG memBerS
Walter White
Marcia Perry committee chAirmeN
This joyful verse from the Bible was set to music for the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus in honor of our director, John Palatucci, and his 25th anniversary as our music director. As God “takes great delight” in those who believe and serve, we in the Orpheus club delight in the way we are led and taught to sing such glorious music. Dr. Thomas Juneau is a noted, published composer and choral director of several fine choral ensembles including the Summit Chorale which, like the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus, was founded in 1909, director of choral activities at St. Joseph’s University and is former president of the NJ Choral Consortium, as well as former associate director of the Rutgers University Glee Club. He was artistic director of the Cincinnati Baroque Orchestra and Chorus. Dr. Juneau is founder and artistic director of the professional vocal ensemble, the Juneau Vocal Alliance. Many music companies have published his compositions. SteAl AwAy Traditional
Although it is often considered one of the great African-American spirituals of the 19th Century, “Steal Away” actually was written by Wallace Willis (c. 1820c.1880), a member of the Choctaw tribe, who wrote it sometime around 1862 in what was known as “Indian Territory” (now Oklahoma). A minister at a boarding school heard it and transcribed it for the Jubilee Singers of Fisk University in Nashville, who made it popular on their tours around the country. Willis is also 14
Peter Fenzel ...............................................................................................Publicity Gary Stark, Dennis M. Steele..............................................................Performance pASt preSiDeNtS George U. White Frank F. Knothe George W. Campbell Wilbur Morris Paul J. Howe Herbert R. Talbot George A. Steves Theodore Northrup Robert Nutt, Jr. Ray M. Gidney Harry Wiltshire Richard H. Long Chester S. Lawton William J. Crawford Arthur I. Demarest Leon A. Payne Albert W. Staub Clifford D. Ackerman
Howard R. Leroy Richard G. Mannheim Frederick A. Blanpied Charles R. Dewhurst Stanley M. Staples Howard M. Liechty John Bing Walter C. Doscher Frederick E. Ray Theodore H. Mastin, Jr. Herbert S. Buzzard Otis H. Grendler Jack D. Morrison Oliver H. Hiester Karel V. Ctibor Vincent G. Beck
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Robert J. Egner Charles B. Hepburn George W. Billings Jerome Wyckoff E. Raymond Greve Carl F. Bilz Robert E. Duane Frank Strobl Roland L. Meyer James W. Rash Paul D. Berinato Dan Williams Lou Fucito Jim Lisanti Pat O’Brien Joe Lisella Robert Silvera Greg Farrell
orpheUS clUb men’S chorUS firSt tenor ROBERT F. SILVERA**, Part Captain CHARLES BROWN
PETE BERNICH* JIM LISANTI*
Second tenor PAUL BERINATO**, Part Captain BILL DE BLOCK JOHN GALVIN* NEIL NEUBERT RICK SWANSON
HERB COHEN* LOU FUCITO* CLIFF HOOK
Baritone DAVE KERR*, Part Captain CHARLES CANALE TOM OLSzEWSKI* SAM SHAW PHIL WAxBERG
CHARLES AUSTIN* JIM LATHEy ERIC SCHWARz TOM VEIT
BILL AMAzzINI BOB CASPARIAN JOHN McKEON VAN SCHNELLBACHER
BOB HUSBAND VERNON REED*
De cAmptowN rAceS By Stephen Foster, arranged by Gordon Balch Nevin. PETER FENzEL CLIFFORD GERENz* DAVID STRIFE
GREG FARRELL* JAy PALATUCCI GARy STARK BOB WESTERDAHL
BaSS DENNIS M. STEELE, Part Captain JAMES J. BELLOTTI*** EDWARD J. BROUILLARD** STEVEN FELL* ROGER JACOBSON TOM OTT JAMES W. RASH** ED SEIDLER*
active – not Singing in thiS concert JOSEPH ALU STEVE AMARANTE JEFFREy R. BERINATO* RAy DEJONGHE* BERNARD GREENFIELD JOE LISELLA* JAMES M. MATTHEWS* PHILLIP RASPE* HENRy TREPICCHIO* honorary MeMBer FRANK STROBL*** * Each star represents ten years of music making
oUr Sincere ThankS The Orpheus Club is grateful to the many generous patrons, donors and sponsors who have helped to keep the song alive for 105 years. Thank you. 8
popular publications of the 19th Century. “The Road Home” is a lament from a traveler – either real or spiritual – seeking guidance to find the way home. This arrangement is by New Jersey-born Stephen Paulus (1949-2014). His family moved to Minnesota when he was a child, and Paulus grew up to write hundreds of operatic and choral works. He was composer-in-residence for symphony orchestras in Minneapolis and Atlanta, and his work won numerous awards.
Stephen Foster (1826-1864) wrote “Camptown Races” in 1850. Camptown is in his native Pennsylvania; but might also refer to the gatherings of hoboes near railroad tracks. Written for the minstrel shows of the day, Camptown Races intends to be a humorous commentary on the vagaries of betting on the horses. hAppy (from the movie “Despicable Me 2” Words and music by Pharrell Williams, arranged by Mark Brymer.
What can you say about a song where the word, “happy” is repeated several hundred times? What can you say about an American pop singer who took the stage at United Nations on March 20, the “International Day of Happiness” and addressed a hall full of young people on global climate change and was then mobbed by fans seeking selfies? Pharrell Williams’ song is also featured in the offbeat animated movie “Despicable Me 2,” and was nominated for an Academy Award in 2014. “Happy” was the best-selling song in the U.S in 2014, with 6.45 million copies sold. At the 2015 Grammy Awards, it won for best Pop Solo and best Music Video. (We in the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus are nothing if not relevant.) We are happy to sing it and we hope it makes you feel…well, you know. come fly with me Words by Sammy Cahn, Music by James Van Heusen, Arranged by Mac Ruff.
This song was written for Frank Sinatra in 1957 and became the title track of an album issued in 1958. Since Ol’ Blue Eyes had a reputation as a jet-setter and a man living the high life, audiences loved to hear him sing “Come, Fly With Me,” (to Bombay, Peru and Acapulco) and it became a Sinatra favorite. The famed song-writing team of Jimmy Van Huesen (1913-1990) and Sammy Cahn (1913-1993) were frequent collaborators with the Chairman of the Board and also wrote “High Hopes” and “Love and Marriage” “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head,” “The Tender Trap,” “My Kind of Town,” and “Call Me Irresponsible” for him, all songs that became Sinatra standards. the Voice of muSic By Richard Lane
Richard Lane, a musician of incredible versatility and creativity, was the piano accompanist for the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus for 42 years until his death in 2004. We are proud to honor his legacy by presenting at least one of his songs at 13
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April 2015 “Our love of music will remain forever.” That’s a line in one of tonight’s songs, written in praise of our art by the late Richard Lane, who accompanied the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus for 42 years. Music not only entertains and inspires, it enables us to give voice to great joy, deep sorrow or religious faith; it helps us remember and preserve the past, enrich the present and look to the future. Music can satisfy the deeply human urge to create, whether by composing music, playing an instrument or singing. Music can express who we are, whether as individuals, ethnicities or nationalities, so that others can enjoy and understand. Tonight’s concert includes songs honoring the 150th anniversary of the end of the U.S. Civil War and songs that will evoke the nostalgia of our early lives along with some very contemporary music. Two of our numbers were written or arranged especially for the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus, one in honor of the 25th anniversary of John Palatucci, our director, the second honoring Jim Rash, who has sung with us for 25 years and is now our assistant director. In what we do together tonight – for you as the audience help us make the music – we will experience the wide range of magical things that happen when words and notes and voices unite to make music. Some of the songs we sing are from happy times; others recall difficult times; some are old, some are new and some are just a lot of fun. All are a part of the magic of music and we hope you enjoy the evening. wheN JohNNy comeS mArchiNG home Arranged by George Mead (1902-1994)
Patrick Gilmore (1829-1892), an Irish-American bandleader who inspired John Philip Sousa, wrote the lyrics to “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” during the Civil War. The lore surrounding the song says he wrote it for Annie, his sister who was praying for the safe return of her husband. The tune, he admits, is not original but comes from something he heard someone humming. It may be connected with a folk song dating back to the 17th Century. Whatever the origins, the sentiment is timeless: a longing for the celebration that will ensue when warriors return home. the roAD home By Michael Dennis Browne, adapted by Stephen Paulus, music from “Prospect,” Southern Harmony 1835.
“Southern Harmony” was a book of more than 300 hymns and songs compiled by William “Singing Billy” Walker, and released in 1835. It was part of the “shape note” style of music with the shapes of the notes, rather than their position on a staff, indicating the tone. “Southern Harmony” became one of the most 12
patronS Mr. Wesley Cheringal Ms. Heather Fitzsimmons Ms. Alice Kelly Fleckenstein Mr. James Rash & Ms. Marcia Guthrie*
Mr. Conrad Hirzel* Ms. Marcia Perry* Mr. Robert J. Petretti** Mr. & Mrs. Walter White**
aSSociate MeMBerS Mrs. Dottie Fucito*
Mr. & Mrs. H. Ralph Kirby*** SuBScriBing MeMBerS
Ms. Margaret Budd Mrs. Alida E. Manley***** Mrs. Marianne S. Neville**
Ms. Roberta A. M. Ragg**** Mr. Steven M. Steiner* Mr. Frank Strobl donorS
The Orpheus Club gratefully acknowledges the following members and friends who have made donations to the club: Mr. William Amazzini Mr. Charles Austin Bank of America (Merrill Lynch) Mr. Peter Bernich Mr. Edward Brouillard Ms. Margaret Budd Mr. Charles Canale Mr. Robert Casparian Mr. William DeBlock Ms. Concetta R. DeLucia Dow Jones & Co.
Mr. Gregory Farrell Mr. Lou Fucito Mr. John Galvin Mr. Clifford Gerenz Mr. Bernie Greenfield Mr. Clifford Hook Mr. Robert Husband Mr. David Kerr Mr. James Lathey Mr. Ron Levy Mr. James Lisanti Mr. Joseph Lisella
Mr. James Matthews Mr. Thomas Ott Mr. John Palatucci Perry's Florist Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Price Mr. Phillip Raspe Mr. Vernon Reed Mr. Eric Schwarz Mr. Dennis M. Steele Mr. David Strife Mr. Thomas Veit Mr. Phil Waxberg
We invite your support “in praise of song.” Please make your check payable to Orpheus Club, Inc. and mail it to Post Office Box 114, Ridgewood, NJ 07451. All contributions to Orpheus are fully tax deductible to the maximum extent of the law. roland l. Meyer orpheuS cluB ScholarShip fund Ms. Maja Britton Mr. Wesley Cheringal
Ms. Alex Rainer-Meyer Ms. Marcia Perry
Ms. Heather Fitzsimmons in memory of Frank Seeley, Jr., Former Orpheus member Unitarian Society of Ridgewood
Keep up with the
Orpheus Club
www.ridgewoodorpheusclub.org 9
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Salutation. ...................................................................................William P. Bentz
The Voice of Music..................................................................Richard Lane
America, the Beautiful ...................Katherine Lee Bates and Samuel A. Ward
Hope .............................................................Pamela Stewart and Greg Gilpin
arranged by Ladislas Helfenbein The audience is invited to join in singing.
Hymn of Triumph .................................................................Thomas Juneau
When Johnny Comes Marching Home .......................................Traditional
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arranged by George Mead
Presentation of the 2015 Winner Roland L. Meyer Orpheus Club Scholarship
The Road Home ....................................................................Stephen Paulus Charles Brown, tenor
De Camptown Races .........................................................Stephen C. Foster arranged by Ralph L. Baldwin
Laudamus te .........................................................................Antonio Vivaldi From Gloria
Flower Duet (Duo des fleurs) ....................................................Leo Delibes
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From Lakme
Union, Op. 48 (1862) ............................................ Louis Moreau Gottschalk Concert Paraphrase on Star Spangled Banner, Yankee Doodle & Hail Columbia Ron Levy, piano
Evening Prayer .........................................................Engelbert Humperdinck From Hansel and Gretel Kathleen Horner Palatucci, soprano Sharon Palatucci, mezzo soprano
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Happy .................................................................................Pharrell Williams From Despicable Me 2
Steal Away...................................................................................... Spiritual
arranged by Mark Brymer
arranged by John Palatucci Vernon Reed, tenor Bill Amazzini, bass
Come Go With Me .................................................................... C. E. Quick arranged by Kirby Shaw
Come Fly With Me ................................. Sammy Cahn and James Van Heusen
Workin’ for the Dawn of Peace...........................................Civil War Songs arranged by Ron Jeffers
arranged by Mac Huff
Battle Hymn of the Republic.......................................................Traditional There will be a fifteen-minute Intermission. 10
Words by Julia Ward Howe
arranged by Peter J. Wilhousky 11
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Salutation. ...................................................................................William P. Bentz
The Voice of Music..................................................................Richard Lane
America, the Beautiful ...................Katherine Lee Bates and Samuel A. Ward
Hope .............................................................Pamela Stewart and Greg Gilpin
arranged by Ladislas Helfenbein The audience is invited to join in singing.
Hymn of Triumph .................................................................Thomas Juneau
When Johnny Comes Marching Home .......................................Traditional
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arranged by George Mead
Presentation of the 2015 Winner Roland L. Meyer Orpheus Club Scholarship
The Road Home ....................................................................Stephen Paulus Charles Brown, tenor
De Camptown Races .........................................................Stephen C. Foster arranged by Ralph L. Baldwin
Laudamus te .........................................................................Antonio Vivaldi From Gloria
Flower Duet (Duo des fleurs) ....................................................Leo Delibes
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From Lakme
Union, Op. 48 (1862) ............................................ Louis Moreau Gottschalk Concert Paraphrase on Star Spangled Banner, Yankee Doodle & Hail Columbia Ron Levy, piano
Evening Prayer .........................................................Engelbert Humperdinck From Hansel and Gretel Kathleen Horner Palatucci, soprano Sharon Palatucci, mezzo soprano
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Happy .................................................................................Pharrell Williams From Despicable Me 2
Steal Away...................................................................................... Spiritual
arranged by Mark Brymer
arranged by John Palatucci Vernon Reed, tenor Bill Amazzini, bass
Come Go With Me .................................................................... C. E. Quick arranged by Kirby Shaw
Come Fly With Me ................................. Sammy Cahn and James Van Heusen
Workin’ for the Dawn of Peace...........................................Civil War Songs arranged by Ron Jeffers
arranged by Mac Huff
Battle Hymn of the Republic.......................................................Traditional There will be a fifteen-minute Intermission. 10
Words by Julia Ward Howe
arranged by Peter J. Wilhousky 11
proGram noTeS
paTronS & SponSorS
April 2015 “Our love of music will remain forever.” That’s a line in one of tonight’s songs, written in praise of our art by the late Richard Lane, who accompanied the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus for 42 years. Music not only entertains and inspires, it enables us to give voice to great joy, deep sorrow or religious faith; it helps us remember and preserve the past, enrich the present and look to the future. Music can satisfy the deeply human urge to create, whether by composing music, playing an instrument or singing. Music can express who we are, whether as individuals, ethnicities or nationalities, so that others can enjoy and understand. Tonight’s concert includes songs honoring the 150th anniversary of the end of the U.S. Civil War and songs that will evoke the nostalgia of our early lives along with some very contemporary music. Two of our numbers were written or arranged especially for the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus, one in honor of the 25th anniversary of John Palatucci, our director, the second honoring Jim Rash, who has sung with us for 25 years and is now our assistant director. In what we do together tonight – for you as the audience help us make the music – we will experience the wide range of magical things that happen when words and notes and voices unite to make music. Some of the songs we sing are from happy times; others recall difficult times; some are old, some are new and some are just a lot of fun. All are a part of the magic of music and we hope you enjoy the evening. wheN JohNNy comeS mArchiNG home Arranged by George Mead (1902-1994)
Patrick Gilmore (1829-1892), an Irish-American bandleader who inspired John Philip Sousa, wrote the lyrics to “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” during the Civil War. The lore surrounding the song says he wrote it for Annie, his sister who was praying for the safe return of her husband. The tune, he admits, is not original but comes from something he heard someone humming. It may be connected with a folk song dating back to the 17th Century. Whatever the origins, the sentiment is timeless: a longing for the celebration that will ensue when warriors return home. the roAD home By Michael Dennis Browne, adapted by Stephen Paulus, music from “Prospect,” Southern Harmony 1835.
“Southern Harmony” was a book of more than 300 hymns and songs compiled by William “Singing Billy” Walker, and released in 1835. It was part of the “shape note” style of music with the shapes of the notes, rather than their position on a staff, indicating the tone. “Southern Harmony” became one of the most 12
patronS Mr. Wesley Cheringal Ms. Heather Fitzsimmons Ms. Alice Kelly Fleckenstein Mr. James Rash & Ms. Marcia Guthrie*
Mr. Conrad Hirzel* Ms. Marcia Perry* Mr. Robert J. Petretti** Mr. & Mrs. Walter White**
aSSociate MeMBerS Mrs. Dottie Fucito*
Mr. & Mrs. H. Ralph Kirby*** SuBScriBing MeMBerS
Ms. Margaret Budd Mrs. Alida E. Manley***** Mrs. Marianne S. Neville**
Ms. Roberta A. M. Ragg**** Mr. Steven M. Steiner* Mr. Frank Strobl donorS
The Orpheus Club gratefully acknowledges the following members and friends who have made donations to the club: Mr. William Amazzini Mr. Charles Austin Bank of America (Merrill Lynch) Mr. Peter Bernich Mr. Edward Brouillard Ms. Margaret Budd Mr. Charles Canale Mr. Robert Casparian Mr. William DeBlock Ms. Concetta R. DeLucia Dow Jones & Co.
Mr. Gregory Farrell Mr. Lou Fucito Mr. John Galvin Mr. Clifford Gerenz Mr. Bernie Greenfield Mr. Clifford Hook Mr. Robert Husband Mr. David Kerr Mr. James Lathey Mr. Ron Levy Mr. James Lisanti Mr. Joseph Lisella
Mr. James Matthews Mr. Thomas Ott Mr. John Palatucci Perry's Florist Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Price Mr. Phillip Raspe Mr. Vernon Reed Mr. Eric Schwarz Mr. Dennis M. Steele Mr. David Strife Mr. Thomas Veit Mr. Phil Waxberg
We invite your support “in praise of song.” Please make your check payable to Orpheus Club, Inc. and mail it to Post Office Box 114, Ridgewood, NJ 07451. All contributions to Orpheus are fully tax deductible to the maximum extent of the law. roland l. Meyer orpheuS cluB ScholarShip fund Ms. Maja Britton Mr. Wesley Cheringal
Ms. Alex Rainer-Meyer Ms. Marcia Perry
Ms. Heather Fitzsimmons in memory of Frank Seeley, Jr., Former Orpheus member Unitarian Society of Ridgewood
Keep up with the
Orpheus Club
www.ridgewoodorpheusclub.org 9
orpheUS clUb men’S chorUS firSt tenor ROBERT F. SILVERA**, Part Captain CHARLES BROWN
PETE BERNICH* JIM LISANTI*
Second tenor PAUL BERINATO**, Part Captain BILL DE BLOCK JOHN GALVIN* NEIL NEUBERT RICK SWANSON
HERB COHEN* LOU FUCITO* CLIFF HOOK
Baritone DAVE KERR*, Part Captain CHARLES CANALE TOM OLSzEWSKI* SAM SHAW PHIL WAxBERG
CHARLES AUSTIN* JIM LATHEy ERIC SCHWARz TOM VEIT
BILL AMAzzINI BOB CASPARIAN JOHN McKEON VAN SCHNELLBACHER
BOB HUSBAND VERNON REED*
De cAmptowN rAceS By Stephen Foster, arranged by Gordon Balch Nevin. PETER FENzEL CLIFFORD GERENz* DAVID STRIFE
GREG FARRELL* JAy PALATUCCI GARy STARK BOB WESTERDAHL
BaSS DENNIS M. STEELE, Part Captain JAMES J. BELLOTTI*** EDWARD J. BROUILLARD** STEVEN FELL* ROGER JACOBSON TOM OTT JAMES W. RASH** ED SEIDLER*
active – not Singing in thiS concert JOSEPH ALU STEVE AMARANTE JEFFREy R. BERINATO* RAy DEJONGHE* BERNARD GREENFIELD JOE LISELLA* JAMES M. MATTHEWS* PHILLIP RASPE* HENRy TREPICCHIO* honorary MeMBer FRANK STROBL*** * Each star represents ten years of music making
oUr Sincere ThankS The Orpheus Club is grateful to the many generous patrons, donors and sponsors who have helped to keep the song alive for 105 years. Thank you. 8
popular publications of the 19th Century. “The Road Home” is a lament from a traveler – either real or spiritual – seeking guidance to find the way home. This arrangement is by New Jersey-born Stephen Paulus (1949-2014). His family moved to Minnesota when he was a child, and Paulus grew up to write hundreds of operatic and choral works. He was composer-in-residence for symphony orchestras in Minneapolis and Atlanta, and his work won numerous awards.
Stephen Foster (1826-1864) wrote “Camptown Races” in 1850. Camptown is in his native Pennsylvania; but might also refer to the gatherings of hoboes near railroad tracks. Written for the minstrel shows of the day, Camptown Races intends to be a humorous commentary on the vagaries of betting on the horses. hAppy (from the movie “Despicable Me 2” Words and music by Pharrell Williams, arranged by Mark Brymer.
What can you say about a song where the word, “happy” is repeated several hundred times? What can you say about an American pop singer who took the stage at United Nations on March 20, the “International Day of Happiness” and addressed a hall full of young people on global climate change and was then mobbed by fans seeking selfies? Pharrell Williams’ song is also featured in the offbeat animated movie “Despicable Me 2,” and was nominated for an Academy Award in 2014. “Happy” was the best-selling song in the U.S in 2014, with 6.45 million copies sold. At the 2015 Grammy Awards, it won for best Pop Solo and best Music Video. (We in the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus are nothing if not relevant.) We are happy to sing it and we hope it makes you feel…well, you know. come fly with me Words by Sammy Cahn, Music by James Van Heusen, Arranged by Mac Ruff.
This song was written for Frank Sinatra in 1957 and became the title track of an album issued in 1958. Since Ol’ Blue Eyes had a reputation as a jet-setter and a man living the high life, audiences loved to hear him sing “Come, Fly With Me,” (to Bombay, Peru and Acapulco) and it became a Sinatra favorite. The famed song-writing team of Jimmy Van Huesen (1913-1990) and Sammy Cahn (1913-1993) were frequent collaborators with the Chairman of the Board and also wrote “High Hopes” and “Love and Marriage” “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head,” “The Tender Trap,” “My Kind of Town,” and “Call Me Irresponsible” for him, all songs that became Sinatra standards. the Voice of muSic By Richard Lane
Richard Lane, a musician of incredible versatility and creativity, was the piano accompanist for the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus for 42 years until his death in 2004. We are proud to honor his legacy by presenting at least one of his songs at 13
every concert. Richard wrote “The Voice of Music” for the Orpheus Club in 1969. It is a tribute to the art which he shared with us during his life and because the voice of music never dies, we are able to share it with our audiences after his death. Every time we sing one of his songs, many of us remember him at the piano as we rehearse and perform; our dear friend Richard smiling and frowning (but mostly smiling.) hope Words by Pamela Stewart, Music by Greg Gilpin Arranged for the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus in celebration of 25 years of singing and leadership by James Rash, assistant director
officerS Bob Husband .............................................................President Bill Amazzini .................................Vice President, Membership Dave Kerr,..................................Vice President, Administration Peter Bernich ..............................................................Treasurer Neil Neubert ................................................................Librarian Greg Farrell..................................Chairman, Board of Trustees
Words and music blend, grow and reach an inspiring conclusion in this piece by Pamela Stewart and Greg Gilpin. Hope begins in a breath, echoes in the laughter of children and the songs of birds, rises from ashes of despair and beats “within the frailest heart.” Living on in dreams and though buffeted by the winds of fear and storms of doubt, hope cannot die. Greg Gilpin is an award winning composer and director of educational choral music for Shawnee Press publishers. Pamela Stewart is a contemporary poet. The Orpheus Club is especially proud to present this arrangement of “Hope” which was written by Greg Gilpin in honor of our assistant director Jim Rash and his 25 years of singing and leadership with us.
Thomas Olszewski
hymN of triumph By Thomas Juneau, text from Zephaniah 3:17
Paul Berinato ..................................................................................................Music
BoArD of truSteeS SiNGiNG memBerS
Steve Amarante
Steven Fell
Clifford Gerenz Henry Trepicchio
NoN-SiNGiNG memBerS
Walter White
Marcia Perry committee chAirmeN
This joyful verse from the Bible was set to music for the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus in honor of our director, John Palatucci, and his 25th anniversary as our music director. As God “takes great delight” in those who believe and serve, we in the Orpheus club delight in the way we are led and taught to sing such glorious music. Dr. Thomas Juneau is a noted, published composer and choral director of several fine choral ensembles including the Summit Chorale which, like the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus, was founded in 1909, director of choral activities at St. Joseph’s University and is former president of the NJ Choral Consortium, as well as former associate director of the Rutgers University Glee Club. He was artistic director of the Cincinnati Baroque Orchestra and Chorus. Dr. Juneau is founder and artistic director of the professional vocal ensemble, the Juneau Vocal Alliance. Many music companies have published his compositions. SteAl AwAy Traditional
Although it is often considered one of the great African-American spirituals of the 19th Century, “Steal Away” actually was written by Wallace Willis (c. 1820c.1880), a member of the Choctaw tribe, who wrote it sometime around 1862 in what was known as “Indian Territory” (now Oklahoma). A minister at a boarding school heard it and transcribed it for the Jubilee Singers of Fisk University in Nashville, who made it popular on their tours around the country. Willis is also 14
Peter Fenzel ...............................................................................................Publicity Gary Stark, Dennis M. Steele..............................................................Performance pASt preSiDeNtS George U. White Frank F. Knothe George W. Campbell Wilbur Morris Paul J. Howe Herbert R. Talbot George A. Steves Theodore Northrup Robert Nutt, Jr. Ray M. Gidney Harry Wiltshire Richard H. Long Chester S. Lawton William J. Crawford Arthur I. Demarest Leon A. Payne Albert W. Staub Clifford D. Ackerman
Howard R. Leroy Richard G. Mannheim Frederick A. Blanpied Charles R. Dewhurst Stanley M. Staples Howard M. Liechty John Bing Walter C. Doscher Frederick E. Ray Theodore H. Mastin, Jr. Herbert S. Buzzard Otis H. Grendler Jack D. Morrison Oliver H. Hiester Karel V. Ctibor Vincent G. Beck
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Robert J. Egner Charles B. Hepburn George W. Billings Jerome Wyckoff E. Raymond Greve Carl F. Bilz Robert E. Duane Frank Strobl Roland L. Meyer James W. Rash Paul D. Berinato Dan Williams Lou Fucito Jim Lisanti Pat O’Brien Joe Lisella Robert Silvera Greg Farrell
credited with the spiritual, “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.” Like many spirituals, “Steal Away” longs for the time when troubles of this world will be replaced with the joys of heaven. workiN’ for the DAwN of peAce By Ron Jeffers
orpheUS clUb ScholarShip proGram Roland L. Meyer Orpheus Club Scholarship The Orpheus Club is proud to sponsor a scholarship program designed to honor and assist a graduating high school senior who has demonstrated extraordinary accomplishment in music and who intends to continue musical studies on the collegiate level. Since the program took on its current form in 1993, we have been pleased to recognize students from more than a dozen area high schools with grants totaling $21,000.00. These outstanding young musicians have gone on to study at colleges and universities across the country. Earlier this year, application packets were sent to area high schools. Additional information was made available on our web site and through the press. The students from whom we received applications all demonstrated high levels of accomplishment in their musical pursuits as well as in academics and other school activities. We are pleased to announce that the winner of the 2015 Roland L. Meyer Orpheus Club Scholarship award of $2000.00 is Christina George from Newton. A multitalented instrumentalist, she is a senior at Kittatinny Regional High School. Christina has been a member of her school’s Concert Band, Wind Symphony, Jazz Band and Marching Band where, as a senior, she served as Drum Major. She has also played in the pit orchestra for several school musical productions. Christina has been selected to the NJ Region I Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Orchestra and Chamber Ensemble. She has been active in numerous other school organizations and community activities and has been selected to the National Honor Society.
Congratulations and Good Luck, Christina!
Ron Jeffers, a contemporary arranger of choral music, took a famous Civil War song, “Tenting on the Old Camp Ground,” and wove it together with “Two Brothers” – written in 1951 – to make this touching commentary on the divisions caused by that war. “Tenting Tonight” was written by Walter Kittridge (18341905), a singer drafted into the Union army in 1863. “Two Brothers” is by Irving Gordon (1915-1996). Gordon wrote many song parodies of the 1930s and words to some of Duke Ellington’s music. He is the composer of “Unforgettable,” a song made famous by Nat King Cole in 1951. BAttle hymN of the repuBlic Words by Julia Ward Howe. Arranged by Peter J. Wilhousky
Julia Ward Howe wrote the words to this American patriotic classic in 1861 and, attached to a tune with a longer history in folk music and hymnody, it was published in The Atlantic Monthly in 1862 and quickly became a popular anthem for the Union Army in America’s Civil War. The anthem’s stirring declaration of God’s triumphant truth and justice has made it an inspiring theme in many places. Sir Winston Churchill asked that it be played at his funeral. The arrangement by Peter J. Wilhousky (1902-1978), a Passaic-born composer who became head of the music department for the New York City public schools during the 1930s and 1940s. His is the most popular setting of this American classic. Program notes written by Charles Austin
A New wAy to Support orpheuS
All contributions are tax-deductible.
Now you can support as you shop! Amazon.com has a program whereby they will donate ½ percent of the purchase price of whatever goods and services you purchase to Orpheus. You pay nothing extra for this program and it looks exactly as you’re used to seeing when you access the regular Amazon web site. To login to Amazon Smile mereScan this code to ly reference this link: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/22-3597641 and go directly to the Orpheus link. you will see our name displayed at the top of the screen. Shop exactly the same as you would under regular Amazon. There is also a download link that will install an icon on your PC that will start you in Amazon Smile: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1002402211
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We thank all the individuals and groups who made donations to this valuable effort. Your support is much appreciated by the club and the student award recipients. Donations of any size are welcomed. Make your check payable to the Orpheus Club Scholarship Fund and give it to any singing member or mail it to:
Orpheus Club, Inc. P.O. Box 114 Ridgewood, NJ 07451
Montclair State University; he maintains an active and on-going affiliation with the Manhattan School of Music, Juilliard, and NJ PAC. Mr. Levy conceived two "mini-festivals" which were presented by the NY Public Library at Lincoln Center. In 2008 Mr. Levy played in St. Petersburg, Russia, and at the venerable Stratford (CA) Summer Music Festival (with Palisades Virtuosi). Recently, Ron performed the inaugural concert of the new faculty recital series at MSU. He was joined by legendary clarinet virtuoso Stanley Drucker, and Ann Kim, solo cellist with the NY City Ballet. On November 29, 2013 Ron presented a concert at Carnegie Hall, performing sixteen works written for him (including two for the Orpheus Club). A two-term President of the Professional Music Teachers' Guild of NJ, he is a contributing editor to BIM Music Publications, Switzerland. Recently Mr. Levy was appointed to the Board of the Rockland (NY) Symphony. Mr. Levy served on the jury of the The 2013 Heida Hermanns International Piano Competition. Recordings by Mr. Levy are available on the Albany, Centaur, Eroica, Koch International, MMF and High Point labels. JAy VANDekOPPLe is Principal Double Bass in the Bergen Philharmonic and Adelphi Chamber Orchestra, and freelances throughout the Northern New Jersey area in both orchestral and chamber music. His orchestral experience has included Principal Bass in the Grand Rapids (MI) Symphony and the North Jersey Philharmonic; and section bassist in the New Jersey State Opera and the Somerset Hills Symphony (NJ). He has studied Double Bass with Peter Pocze, Warren Benfield, and Linda McKnight. He participated as a student in the Congress of Strings (USA/Canada) and Meadowbrook School of Music (MI) programs, and as staff bassist at the Eastern Music Festival (NC). Dr. VandeKopple has a Ph.D. in Mathematics, and has always been intrigued by the relationship of music and mathematics, and by stringed instrument acoustics and the physics of sound. He is a Professor Emeritus of Math/CIS at Marymount College of Fordham University in Tarrytown, NY. Dr. VandeKopple currently makes, repairs, and restores double basses, and serves as a Board member of the Violin Society of America (VSA) and as head of the Catgut Acoustical Society.
BReAkFAST • LUNCH • DINNeR Serving the Community for 50 Years
mUSic For a SUmmer eVeninG Bring your chairs and blankets and join us for a free Orpheus Club concert at the Kasschau Shell
Tuesday, July 7 at 8:30 pm Special guests Ridgewood Concert Band and Ridgewood Choral 16
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Mr. Palatucci led the OCMC in its 2005 Lincoln Center debut, performing at the Lincoln Center Library with the Palisades Virtuosi chamber ensemble. During the OCMC’s centennial year in 2009 he led a Ridgewood community choral festival which culminated in a performance with orchestra and soloist Ron Levy of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy. In 2011, with Mr. Levy he again prepared the OCMC and its sister ensemble, the Ridgewood Choral, for a performance of the Beethoven Choral Fantasy with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra while also leading members of the OCMC in a 2013 performance at Carnegie Recital Hall. Assistant Conductor Jim Rash is in his 25th year as a singing veteran of the Orpheus Club and has been President along with several other leadership positions. For 26 years he has served as Music Director at Hackensack United Methodist Church and previously directed two church choirs in Virginia. Jim performed at Carnegie Hall in 2009 and 2010, and Avery Fisher Hall-Lincoln Center in 2012, singing with a 400member international chorus and orchestra. He serves as General Manager of the Atempo Chamber Ensemble and is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, Associated Male Choruses of America, Chorus America, the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music, and the National Association for Music Education. Jim is Vice President – Sales Development at Dittman Incentive Marketing in New Brunswick, NJ.
TranSlaTion flower Duet Leo Delibes Under the thick dome where the white jasmine With the roses entwined together On the river bank covered with flowers laughing in the morning Let us descend together! Gently floating on its charming risings, On the river’s current On the shining waves, One hand reaches, Reaches for the bank, Where the spring sleeps, And the bird, the bird sings. Under the thick dome where the white jasmine Ah! calling us Together!
Ron Levy, internationally acclaimed pianist, has been called "first-class" by the New York Times. He regularly appears as a soloist, and in partnership with many of the world's leading singers and instrumentalists. A graduate of Oberlin, Mr. Levy is a founding member of the Hudson Trio, Kaleidoscope, the New World Trio, the Manchester Chamber Players, the Breucklen Trio and the award-winning Palisades Virtuosi, resident chamber ensemble at Bergen Community College and the University of Hawaii. He has been pianist and harpsichordist of the Oberlin Orchestra, the Adelphi Chamber Orchestra, the New Jersey and North Jersey Philharmonics, the Westchester Symphony, and the Albany Symphony. Presently he is Associate Artist with the All Seasons Chamber Players. For over 20 years, Mr. Levy was associated with the Manchester (VT) Music Festival, of which he was a faculty and Board member. While living in Vermont, he was Music Director & Conductor of the Opera Theatre in Weston, and impresario of the "Third Saturday" chamber music series at the historic Equinox Hotel, as well as the "Music on the Hill" series at the Southern Vermont Art Center. A champion of new music, he has been the recipient of a considerable number of works written for him by prominent composers. Mr. Levy has taught at numerous colleges, and is currently an instructor at 4
May 8, 2015 Orpheus joins the Ridgewood Concert Band to perform a medley from The Beatles’ Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
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Welcome! Welcome to the gala spring concerts of the Orpheus Club. One of the oldest male choruses in the Northeast, Orpheus was established in 1909 by a group of eight Ridgewood businessmen and is dedicated to the continuance of men’s choral singing, fellowship and to providing audiences with an eclectic repertoire of enjoyable music. Our singing membership is made up of men from all walks of life drawn together by the common bond of music. Our singers now come from northern and central New Jersey. We welcome your inquiries about singing with us. If singing is not for you but you enjoy attending our concerts, we invite you to consider becoming a subscribing member. As such, you will be kept apprised of our upcoming concerts and will enjoy significant savings on the cost of tickets. For more information feel free to speak with any singing member after the concert, visit our website (www.ridgewoodorpheusclub.org), or write to us (PO Box 114, Ridgewood).
25 yearS
JOHN J. PALATUCCI enjoys a distinguished career as a performing musician, conductor, clinician, an adjudicator and educator. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education and a Master of Arts degree in music performance from Montclair State College of New Jersey as well as a Master of Education degree in educational leadership with the accompanying supervisory and administrative certifications from NJ EXCEL. Mr. Palatucci has performed in concert under the batons of such noted conductors as Henry Brant, Lucas Foss, Morton Gould, Skitch Henderson, Alan Hovhaness, and Karel Husa. Appearances with other musical luminaries range from Placido Domingo, Jerome Hines and Robert Merrill to Dave Brubeck to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. In 1991, he recruited and managed a 3,000 voice choir for appearances by the Rev. Billy Graham in what was then the Brendan Byrne Arena. Several pieces composed for men's chorus have been dedicated to Mr. Palatucci and his setting of The Sussex Mummers' Christmas Carol has been published by the International Percy Grainger Society. Beginning in the fall of 1990, Mr. Palatucci assumed the directorship of the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus of Ridgewood. During his tenure, he has striven to uphold and enhance the OCMC’s proud history, tradition and reputation. These efforts include performances of Johannes Brahms’ Alto Rhapsody with the Adelphi Chamber Orchestra, Randall Thompson’s The Testament of Freedom and Giuseppi Verdi’s Hymn to the Nations with the Orchestra of Saint Peter-by-the-Sea, Howard Hanson’s Song of Democracy, Ottorino Respighi’s Laud to the Nativity, Aaron Copland’s Old American Songs and the revised finale to Richard Wagner’s opera Tannhäuser with the Ridgewood Concert Band.
Lisasmediterraneancuisine.net
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Save the dateS!
Special ThankS
The annual Orpheus Club
holiday concerTS
to the ownership and management of
Saturday, December 19, 2015 • 7:30 pm Sunday, December 20, 2015 • 4:00 pm
Care One at the Cupola
Mark your calendars now so you won’t miss this delightful way to celebrate the season.
W. 100 Ridgewood Avenue, Paramus, NJ
Perry’s Florist
660 Harristown Rd., Glen Rock, NJ
Daily Treat Restaurant 177 Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, NJ
Town & Country Apothecary 60 East Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, NJ
Lewis Drugs 298 Westwood Avenue, Westwood, NJ
Benny’s Luncheonette 11-04 Saddle River Road, Fair Lawn, NJ
Rock Ridge Pharmacy 191 Rock Road, Glen Rock, NJ
The Wine Seller 6 West Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, NJ
Wine & Spirit World 626 North Maple Ave., Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ
! d e t n a W H S r e i ng
S rpheuS n e M for o
H
Our Wednesday evening rehearsals start again September 9, 2015 8 to 10 p.m. The Georgian Room Care One at the Cupola W. 100 Ridgewood Avenue, Paramus
The Orpheus Club appreciates your help and support!
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Call for more information! Greg Farrell 201-652-2873 Bill Amazzini 551-404-3976 Bob Husband 201-602-9092
• Enjoy the Camaraderie • It’s a great weekly bre ak • Come to rehearsal—try us out! 19
Orpheus Club Men’s ChOrus Presents its annual
Spring ConCertS
660 Harristown Road Glen Rock, NJ 07452 201-445-5668 www.perrysflorist.net
Celebrating Americana in Song ...and commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War’s end
John Palatucci**
saturday, april 18, 2015 7:30 p.m. sunday, april 19, 2015 4:00 p.m. ridgewood united Methodist Church Ridgewood, new Jersey
Conductor
James Rash** Assistant Conductor
Ron levy* Pianist
aaRon PomeRoy Percussion
dotti fucito, Visual Producer usheRs: Friends of the Orpheus Club
BoB Kaufmann Saxophone
Jay vandeKoPPle Bass
w w w. r i d g e wo o d o r p h e u s cl u b . o r g