Orpheus Club Men's Chorus - Holiday Concerts 2019 by Orpheus Club Men's Chorus

ORpheUs CLUB

hOLiDay

COnCeRts of Wonder Stars Songs of Light

Dec. 14, 2019 Saturday • 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 15, 2019 Sunday • 4:00 p.m.

United Methodist Church 100 dayton St. • ridgewood

John Palatucci Director

Ron Levy Pianist/Assistant Conductor

Justin Kemp Percussion

Dotti Fucito Visual Producer

SpeCial gueSt

Bob Ferrel

Trombonist

Ron Levy

Celebrating 15 Years as Orpheus Accompanist

ridgewoodorpheusclub.org

ORpheUs CLUB Men’s ChORUs

Welcome! Welcome to the annual holiday concerts of the Orpheus Club. One of the oldest male choruses in the Northeast, Orpheus 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 throughout northern 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).

John J. Palatucci holds a bachelor of arts degree in music education and a master of arts degree in applied music from Montclair State College as well as a master of education degree in educational leadership from NJ EXCEL. Beginning in the fall of 1990, after establishing a reputation as a quality church choral musician and builder of fine choral ensembles at the Eastern Christian HS of North Haledon, Mr. Palatucci became music director of the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus of Ridgewood. During his OCMC tenure, he has striven to uphold and enhance the OCMC's proud history, tradition and reputation. These efforts include performing 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, the revised finale to Richard Wagner's opera Tannhäuser, David Avshalomov’s arrangement of the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album with the then Ridgewood Concert Band, now the NJ Wind Symphony, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana with the Summit Chorale, and Johannes Brahms’ cantata “Rinaldo” with the Ridgewood Symphony as well as several commissions of new music for male chorus. In 1991, he served as the choir chair on the executive committee for the North Jersey Crusade of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association at the then Brendan Byrne Arena, assembling and overseeing an ensemble of some 3,000 singers. In the spring of 2005, he led the OCMC in its Lincoln Center debut, performing at the Lincoln Center Library with the Palisades Virtuosi chamber ensemble. Through his 3

efforts, the OCMC became a charter member of the New Jersey Choral Consortium in 2008 where he sat on the board of directors and served as vice president. In January 2009, he was honored by his colleagues at Montclair State University, being selected as speaker at the annual Dr. Jack Sacher Memorial Lecture. Also in 2009, during the OCMC’s centennial year, 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, his setting of Percy Grainger’s Sussex Mummers’ Christmas Carol was published by the International Percy Grainger Society. With Mr. Levy, he prepared the OCMC and its sister ensemble, the Ridgewood Choral, for a performance of the Beethoven Choral Fantasy with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. Under the auspices of the NJCC, with the OCMC and the Rutgers University Glee Club, in 2012 he organized and oversaw an inaugural state-wide men’s chorus workshop and concert at Rutgers University. A 2013 debut performance at Carnegie Recital Hall with members of the OCMC included the NYC premieres of Peter Findley’s “Ubi caritas” and Godfrey Schroth’s “Orpheus with his lute.” Collaborating with the Ridgewood Symphony, he prepared the OCMC for a 2015 performance of Johannes Brahms’ cantata “Rinaldo.” This December, on the 19th he will lead the OCMC to NYC’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral where they will participate in the annual “A City Singing at Christmas” concert and on the 20th make his fourth consecutive guest conducting appearance at the National Chorale’s “Messiah Sing-In” at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall. Ron Levy, 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 the Ridgewood Conservatory 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, the Albany Symphony and the All Seasons Chambers 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 Theater 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. Mr. Levy is Music Director of the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood (coincidentally, Bevier Smith, Orpheus' first pianist, also served the Society in that capacity!). 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 Montclair State University; he maintains an active and on-going affiliation with the Manhattan School of 4

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). In November of 2013, Ron presented a concert at Carnegie, performing sixteen works written for him (including two for the Orpheus Club). That same fall he served on the jury of the Heida Hermanns International Piano Competition. Mr. Levy is a member of the Board of Directors of the Rockland and Monmouth Symphony Orchestras. A two-term President of the Professional Music Teachers' Guild of NJ, he is a contributing editor to BIM Music Publications, Switzerland. Recordings by Mr. Levy are available on the Albany, Centaur, Eroica, Koch International, MMF and High Point labels; several of the individual CD's comprising Palisades Virtuosi's New American Masters Series (Albany Records) have been submitted for Grammy's. Ron is the unintentional star of the YouTube video “Five Top Worst Page Turn Fails,” which has gone viral with over 1 million hits. Justin Kemp is a drummer and percussionist from Madison, N.J. currently studying music education at Montclair State University. Versed in all genres of music, he can often be seen performing in the various theater companies and high school pit orchestras of New Jersey, as well as subbing for blues, latin, and jazz bands. Justin has performed with many notable choral groups and directors such as The Drew University Singers led by Dr. Jason Bishop, The New Jersey Youth Chorus, and various choirs under the direction of Mark Miller. He also has worked with numerous churches and is currently the on call percussionist at “Church of the Little Flower” in Berkeley Heights. Beyond his experience performing, Justin has been teaching drums and percussion privately for 6 years and recently joined the teaching staff at "In-tune Music School” in Maplewood, NJ. Outside of private instruction, he has also worked as the percussion tech for the Madison High School “Marching Dodgers” and assisted with public school percussion programs from time to time. a great Way to Support orpheuS

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 you will see our name displayed at the top of the screen. Shop exactly Orpheus link. 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

www.ridgewoodorpheusclub.org 5

Special ThankS to the ownership and management of

Care One at the Cupola W. 100 Ridgewood Avenue, Paramus, NJ

Perry’s Florist 660 Harristown Rd., Glen Rock, NJ

Daily Treat Restaurant 177 Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, NJ

Benny’s Luncheonette 11-04 Saddle River Road, Fair Lawn, NJ

Matthews Diner 4 Franklin Turnpike, Waldwick, NJ

The Orpheus Club appreciates your help and support!

Our Guests bob Ferrel trombonist Trombonist Bob Ferrel from Lincoln Park NJ, enjoys a long and fabled career performing worldwide with the greatest names in jazz. From Big Band to modern jazz, clubs and jazz festivals to Broadway and the movies, Mr. Ferrel has performed for all types of audiences in all types of venues in over 20 countries. His early credits include; the Duke Ellington Orchestra directed by Mercer Ellington from 1979 through 1981 (including Guests: Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Nancy Wilson, Della Reese, Cab Calloway and Mulgrew Miller). The Charli Persip "Superband" performing at the 1981 – 1982 Jazz Forum, the Village Vanguard and the Kool Jazz Festival (including Ray Draper, Walter Davis Jr., Dr Richard Davis, Jack Walrath and Frank Foster). Southside Johnny and the Jukes from 1982 through 1987 (Guests: Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Stevie Ray Vaughn and George Thorogood). Bob has also performed with his own quartet and ensembles from the 90's to present day including; New World Quintet in 1992 where Bob was co-leader with Tom Colao performing at various clubs in NJ as well as the Newark Jazz Festival. The Richie Cecere Orchestra where Bob is the musical director, conductor and featured soloist. The SPIRIT OF LIFE ENSEMBLE from 1997 to the present, where Bob is musical director. The Ensemble includes Ted Curson, Eddie Henderson and G. Franco. The Sprit of Life performed weekly at Sweet Basil in NYC for 5 years and later performed at Kaunas Jazz Festival in Lithuania, Pori Jazz & Imatra Jazz Festivals in Finland, the Tartu Jazz Festival in Estonia, the Sounds Jazz Club in Brussels Belgium, and various clubs in Paris. The Bob Ferell Quartet from 1999 to the present, The quartet has performed at many venues including; Mount Union University (Ohio)2008, in 2012 at Giese Performing Arts Center, Bohemian Hall, NYC, Hackensack Jazz Cafe, Three Sisters Club, Gulliver's, Trumpet's Jazz club and many others in the area. Mr. Ferell has also played for Broadway, the theatre, the movies and music videos including; "GREASE " from 1995 through 1999. Comedie Francaise in Paris for the play "The Tango of the Family Rashevski'' including the musical soundtrack playing a pre-cursor to the modern trombone; the "Sackbut." "Spirit Energy," a French documentary film on the Spirit of Life Ensemble "Adventures in Baby-Sitting," a 1985 film 7

"Trash it Up" with the Jukes "In the Heat" with the Jukes "Live from the Bijou Theater, Washington, DC" Today Bob continues to stay quite busy performing and recording with the Spirit of Life Ensemble and the Bob Ferrel Quartet, while giving private music lessons to students throughout the area. Mr. Ferrel has made many recordings some of which include: “Bob Ferrel’s Jazztopian Dream” 4th Solo Jazz Release 2017 (BFM 004) Renaissance “A Symphonic Journey” CD/DVD Live at The Keswick Theater, PA 2018 Live CD Recording Tallinn, Estonia “Less is More” Aivar Vasseliljev “Face to Face” Bob Ferrel – Ted Curson 2002 (BFM 003), Empire – National Distribution 2003 “Time Tunnel” Bob Ferrel Quartet 1996 Debut Jazz CD (BFM 001) “Bon Voyage” Bob Ferrel Quartet 1998 (BFM 002) (North Country Distributors) “Live in Paris” - Spirit of Life Ensemble “25” - Spirit of Life Ensemble “New York Soundscape” – Vinnie Cutro “T.K. Blue” – Talib Kibwe “Rhythm Master” - Vince Ector Guest Artist, Rutgers Jazz Ensemble with The Newark Boys Choir “Trash It Up” (Jukes) (US and European Distribution) Produced by Nils Rogers “In the Heat” (Jukes) (US and European Distribution) “At Least We Got Shoes” (Jukes) (US and Japanese Distribution) “Daily Lovin” - Frank Dell “Little Bob Story” French Release Back to Summer” – 12 Foot Dolls (England) “Stop, Look, Listen” Children’s Educational Cassette 12-Inch Singles (recorded with Southside Johnny and the Jukes): “New Romeo” “Hard to Find” “Walk Away Rene” With the Sackbut Ensemble: "The Glory of the Renaissance" "Memories of Notre Dame de Paris" "Mozart Requiem" with the St. Eliabeth Orchestra and Choir "The Creation" with the St. Eliabeth Orchestra and Choir 8

CaLvin HiLL, bassist, was born and raised in Bridgeport Ct. He started playing music at the age of ten in elementary school. His first instrument was the trumpet. Next he played the saxophone, finally settling on the double bass during his senior year of high school. “The bass was the perfect instrument for me. It had a wonderful deep sound. It kept the rhythm in the jazz band. It was melodic. Encouraged by a friend he enrolled at the Berklee College of Music in Boston Ma. where he received a degree in music education. “There were great teachers at Berklee like John LaPorta, Charlie Mariano, Alan Dawson and Ray Santisi”. Calvin's first professional experiences were playing on the Boston music scene. He took every opportunity to play his bass; playing shows, dances, concerts, on radio and television. Hill became a regular in the area nightclubs. This also allowed him to meet and perform with a wide variety of artists from out of town including; Billy Eckstine, Mel Torme, Mose Allison, Joanne Brackeen and John Lee Hooker. Finally in 1969 he made the move to NYC. Calvin joined the legendary McCoy Tyner Quartet in 1971. The quartet recorded the album “Sahara” which was voted Album of the year by the jazz critics of Downbeat magazine. “It was my first experience touring with such excellent musicians. Night after night we played incredible music.” Calvin Hill has been a member of the groups of Max Roach, Pharoh Sanders, Betty Carter, George Coleman, Junior Mance, Chet Baker and James Moody. Over the years Calvin has toured in Japan, Europe and appeared on numerous recordings. He is presently a member of the Sonny Fortune Quartet. HeCtoR DaviLa is a producer, composer, arranger and pianist with 20-plus years on the Latin Music scene. In these years he has been fortunate enough to travel to many different countries experiencing sights, sounds and cultures while playing music festivals on many of the major stages of the world such as Afro Latino Festival in Belgium, Latino Americano Expo in Italy, Creole Blues festival in the Antilles, Guadeloupe and Martinique, USO tours to Japan, Okinawa, South Korea and traveling within the continental U.S. as well. As a freelance musician he has also shared the stage with many established stars and rising young talents such as; Luisto Carrion, Cano Estremera, DLG Feat, Miss Yaya & Ricky Luis (from Nkave), Brenda K. Starr, Herman Olivera, Franke Vazquez y los Soneros del Barrio, Edwin Bonilla andSon, Hector Tricoche, Justo Betancourt and Borincuba, Mitch Frohman and the Bronx Horns, Marvin Santiago and the list goes on and on. On his latest endeavor, Melaza Project, he pays homage to the music of the artists that he grew up admiring with a new soulful sound acquired by the usage of modern twists of R&B, jazz and hard swinging Salsa to make a night to remember. 9

OfficerS Vernon Reed ............................................................. President Bob Husband ........................................................... Chairman Pete Bernich ............................ Vice President, Administration Paul Nelson ................................ Vice President, Membership Herb Cohen .............................................................. Treasurer Rick Swanson ............................................................ Librarian board oF truSteeS Singing memberS

Greg Farrell Sam Shaw

Lou Fucito

James Miskowski Marlin Townes

non-Singing memberS

Dotti Fucito

Marcia Perry

Phillip Raspe

Walter White Committee Chairmen Paul Berinato ..................................................................................................Music Eric Schwarz ..............................................................................................Publicity Bob Husband .....................................................................................Fund Raising 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 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 Bob Husband

OrpheuS club Men’S chOruS firST TenOr ROBERT F. SILVERA**, Part Captain BOB HUSBAND*

PETE BERNICH* VERNON REED*

JIM LISANTI* MITCHELL G. SHAPIRO

SecOnd TenOr PAUL BERINATO***, Part Captain LOU FUCITO** ROBERT GREMILLOT NEIL NEUBERT* ASTER RILEy RICK SWANSON

BILL DE BLOCK THOMAS GRAHAM JAMES M. MATTHEWS** RICHARD REHBEIN

bariTOne DAVE KERR*, Part Captain HAL MAxWELL RAy PIxLEy ERIC SCHWARz

ANDREW FERRETTI PAUL NELSON

EDWARD J. BROUILLARD** ROGER JACOBSON

baSS SAM SHAW, Part Captain BOB CASPARIAN JOHN MCKEON MARLIN TOWNES

JOHN GALVIN* JOE LISELLA* JAMES O’ROURKE DAVID STRIFE

JIM MISKOWSKI GARy STARK

STEVEN FELL** TOM OTT*

acTive – nOT Singing in ThiS cOncerT WILLIAM AMAzzINI CHARLES BROWN HERB COHEN* NED CENIT MATTHEW FAIRCHILD GREG FARRELL

JOE BURNEy RAy DIJON ALEx KEHL

* Each star represents ten years of music making

Keep up with the

Orpheus Club

www.ridgewoodorpheusclub.org Scan the code at left with your smartphone to go there 11

OrpheuS prOgraM

Holiday 2019 i

Salutation .................................................................................. William P. Bentz Deck the Hall ..................................................................................... Traditional Arranged by Frederick Erickson

The audience is invited to join in singing.

Winter Song ................................. Frederic Field Bullard and Richard Hovey O Magnum Mysterium …….……………....................... Morten Lauridsen Recitative, Trio and Chorus: There Shall A Star from Jacob Come Forth From Christus....................................................................... Felix Mendelssohn

Arranged by Richard Lane

Mitchell Shaprio, tenor; Bob Casparian & Sam Shaw, bass ii

Psallite .......................................................................... Michael Praetorius Arranged by Russell Robinson

Semi-chorus: Lou Fucito, Mitchell Shapiro, Andrew Ferretti, Gary Stark, Bob Casparian, Sam Shaw Consort: Bob Ferrel & John Palatucci, sackbuts; Calvin Hill, bass viol

honoring Ron levy’s 15 Years with orpheus Rhapsody for Piano ................................................................. Eric Ewazen [World Premiere; commissioned for the 2019 Orpheus Holiday Concerts]

Ron Levy, piano

Silent Night ............................................................................ Joseph Turrin Ron Levy, piano

Soul Bop .................................................................................... Bob Ferrel Bob Ferrel, trombone

Tenor Madness ...................................................................... Sonny Rollins Bob Ferrel, Hector Davila, piano; Calvin Hill, bass; Justin Kemp, drums iii

Stardust ............................................ Hoagy Carmichael and Mitchell Parrish Andrew Ferretti, baritone

Swinging on a Star ............................. James Van Heusen and Johnny Burke From Going My Way

Lou Fucito, Mitch Shapiro, tenors; Hal Maxwell, baritone 12

OrpheuS prOgraM

Holiday 2019 There will be a fifteen-minute Intermission. iv

That Man Over There ...................................................... Meredith Willson From Here’s Love

Tom Graham & Rick Swanson, Santa’s Helpers

My Girl .......................... William “Smokey” Robinson, Jr. and Ronald White Leads: Lou Fucito, Vernon Reed, Mitch Shaprio with Bob Husband, Peter Bernich, Dave Strife & Richard Rehbein, tenor; Paul Nelson & Ray Pixley, baritone; Bob Casparian & Ed Broulliard bass

Lost in the Stars ...................................... Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson From Lost in the Stars

Arranged by William Stickles

What a Wonderful World ............................... George Weiss and Bob Thiele Arranged by Russ Floris

It's You or No One .......................................... Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne A Child is Born .................................................... Thad Jones & Mel Lewis Mr. Ferrel, Mr. Hill, Mr. Kemp vi

Shalom .................................................................................. Jerry Herman From Milk and Honey

Arranged by William Stickles

We Three Kings ................................................................ John Hopkins Jr. Arranged by John Leavitt

Robert Gremolliet (Caspar), Lou Fucito (Melchior), Paul Nelson (Balthazar)

Wiegenlied. ....................................................................... Johannes Brahms Arranged by A. Zander

Sing unto the Lord .................................................................. Richard Lane In loving memory of Mr. Frank Strobl (1925-2019) OCMC bass, Part Captain, Soloist, Committee Chair, President, President Emeritus

Auld Lang Syne ................................................................................ Traditional The audience is invited to join in singing. 'This program is made possible in part by a grant administered by the Bergen County Division of Cultural & Historic Affairs from funds granted bythe New Jersey State Council on the Arts.' Our sincerest gratitude to Ridgewood Arts Foundation for once again promoting arts in the township and in particular supporting Orpheus. 13

Save The daTeS!

Orpheus Spring Concerts

Saturday • April 25, 2020

Sunday • April 26, 2020

Mark your calendars now so as not to miss these gala events. 14

paTrOnS & SpOnSOrS paTrOnS Ms. Heather Fitzsimmons Ms. Alice Kelly Fleckenstein Mr. James Rash & Ms. Marcia Guthrie* Mrs. Dottie Fucito*

Ms. Margaret Jane Budd

Ms. Marcia Perry* Mr. Robert J. Petretti** Mr. & Mrs. Walter White**

aSSOciaTe MeMberS Ms. Dorothy P. Fucito

Mr. & Mrs. H. Ralph Kirby***

SubScribing MeMberS Mrs. Marianne S. Neville** Ms. Roberta A. M. Ragg**** Mr. & Mrs. Steven Steiner*

dOnOrS The Orpheus Club gratefully acknowledges the following members and friends who have made donations to the club: Bank of America / Mr. Greg Farrell Ms. Marcia Perry Merrill Lynch Mr. Steve Fell Mr. Thomas Price Wealth Management Mr. James Matthews Mr. Eric Schwarz Mr. Herb Cohen Mr. Thomas Ott Mr. David Strife

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. Margaret Jane Budd

Ms. Alex-Rainer Meyer

Ms. Marcia Perry

cOnTribuTiOnS TOWard MuSic purchaSeS

The Orpheus Club thanks our members and friends who have made donations which have enabled the club to purchase new music for our performances. Mr. Lou Fucito for “Swingin on a Star” ~ Dedicated to my mother, Anne Fucito Mr. Mitchell Shapiro for “My Girl” ~ Dedicated to my wife Elizabeth Shane, an angel from heaven ~ “I've got all the riches one man can claim” and for “Stardust” ~ Dedicated to my wife ~ “Each kiss an inspriration”

Graphic design donated by Maja Britton in memory of Roland Meyer and Jerry Wyckoff

BReakFast • lunch • DinneR Serving the Community for 50 Years

OrpheuS club SchOlarShip prOgraM Roland L. Meyer Orpheus Club Scholarship To keep “the song alive” the members of the Orpheus Club are committed to support future generations of musicians in their endeavors. To that end, for more than two decades the Orpheus Club has been proud to sponsor a scholarship program designed to honor and assist a graduating high school senior who has demonstrated extraordinary accomplishments in music and who intends to continue musical studies on the collegiate level. Since taking its current form in 1993, the program has made grants totaling over $27,000. Students from Ridgewood, Indian Hills, Paramus, Pequannock, Glen Rock, Ramapo, Northern Valley (Old Tappan), Eastern Christian, Northern Highlands, Fair Lawn, Verona, Roxbury, Montclair, Leonia, Lakeland, Kittatinny, Glen Ridge and West Essex Regional high schools and the Bergen County Academy have been past recipients of Orpheus Club awards. These outstanding young musicians have gone on to study at Oberlin College, the University of Miami, the University of North Carolina, the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Boston University, the Mannes College of Music, Miami University (Ohio), Rutgers University, Calvin College (Michigan), the Manhattan School of Music, Boston College, the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, Hamilton College (New York), Brandeis University, the Cleveland Institute of Music, the University of Michigan, West Chester University (PA), the Colburn School of Music (Los Angeles) and Princeton University. At our concerts this past April, we awarded the 2019 Roland L. Meyer Orpheus Club Scholarship grant of $2000 to Ula Goldstein from Leonia High School. We hope to be able to honor other outstanding musicians in coming years. Applications for our 2020 award will soon be mailed out to area schools and will also be available on our web site. If you know of a promising high school senior who might be eligible, encourage them to apply. We thank all those individuals and groups who have made donations to this valuable effort and encourage you to continue your support of our students in the arts. 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 All contributions are tax-deductible. 17

Program Notes December 2019 With December comes the season of stars! Stars of wonder, stars with royal beauty bright. Little stars, big stars blowing through the night. The festival of Hanukkah will include images of the Star of David. Other stars will remind many of ancestors who long ago gazed upward, looking for guidance and inspiration. The Star of Bethlehem will adorn the tops of many Christmas trees. These stars, the sentiments they represent and more have illuminated this time of year and inspired composers, instrumental and choral musicians for millennia. So it is now for the singing men of Ridgewood’s oldest civic musical organization, the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus. Thank you for joining us as we explore the deep and various meanings of these stars of wonder and their songs of light! Salutation: hail, FriendS oF muSiC! The OCMC's signature fanfare theme song, “Hail, Friends of Music!” was composed by William Bentz and first sung at New York City's 71st Regiment Armory during a meeting of the Associated Glee Clubs of America in April of 1934. deCk the hall This traditional Yuletide carol dates back to sixteenth century Wales and is associated with the New Year’s Eve song “Nos Galan,” while the original English lyrics were written by Scotsman Thomas Oliphant in 1862. Winter Song Also known as the Hanover Carol and specifically written for a book of Dartmouth College glees in 1898, this wonderful song of fellowship conjures up visions of gnomes and witches gathered around swirling pipe smoke and the Wassail bowl. Here in our 110th year, we remember that it was the first piece of music ever sung by the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus. o magnum mySterium Morten Lauridsen explains his 1994 composition as follows: “In composing music to these inspirational words about Christ's birth and the veneration of the Virgin Mary, I sought to impart a transforming spiritual experience within what I call 'a quiet song of profound inner joy.' I wanted this piece to resonate immediately and deeply into the core of the listener, to illumine through sound.” O great mystery, and wondrous sacrament, that animals should see the newborn Lord, lying in their manger! Blessed is the Virgin whose womb was worthy to bear Christ, the Lord. Alleluia! reCitative, trio, and ChoruS: “There Shall a Star from Jacob come forth” from Christus Felix Mendelssohn is widely credited with “discovering” the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. After a short declarative recitative and our evening’s first appearance of the Magi, the great chorus melds Mendelssohn’s original music and an Old Testament reference with one of JSB’s favorite Christmas tunes and texts, “How brightly beams the morning star.” Thus, this concert season’s theme comes forth. 18

pSallite Published in 1609 at a time when most liturgical music was still sung in Latin, this motet uses both Latin and German texts. This use of the vernacular alongside the official language of the Church at the time may have been part of an effort to reconcile Protestants and Catholics following the Reformation and the Council of Trent. Furthermore, the use of instruments such as viols and sackbuts would have been considered most progressive. Let us sing together to the Son of God, He is born as our Savior and Redeemer; Come, see the Christ Child in the manger, The sweet little Babe, Christ the King! rhapSody For piano Eric Ewazen, world-famous composer and Juilliard professor (and Ron's life-long friend), writes: "I am so pleased Ron Levy is performing my Rhapsody for Piano! The single movement work displays my neo-Romantic style, using traditional classical musical concepts of form and development combined with a tonal harmonic world. The work contrasts exciting bold and rhythmic gestures with an expansive lyricism. My thanks to Ron for introducing my piece to you today!" Silent night Joseph Turrin is regarded as one of the most respected American composers of his generation, noted for an inventive lyricism and harmonic vocabulary in works written for film as well as the New York Philharmonic and Boston Symphony orchestras. Joe is a long-time friend of the OCMC, whose early training included study with our late, great accompanist of nearly 40years and renowned composer in his own right, Richard Lane. Soul bop This original composition by our guest artist, Bob Ferrel, employs the unusual technique called “multi-phonics” whereby a brass instrumentalist will play a note while simultaneously humming a second in such a way that a third and even a fourth pitch is sounded via vibrations called overtones. Our soloist is a master. Wow! tenor madneSS This blues melody is associated with both Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane. It is the title track of Rollins’ 1956 album and regarded as one of his most recognizable charts. StarduSt While his roots were in jazz, composer and pianist Hoagy Carmichael was a master of popular song, producing a 40-year long string of hits. His compositions such as this masterpiece were embraced by some of the most famous musicians of the 1920's such as Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver, and Louis Armstrong. SWinging on a Star Songwriter James Van Heusen was at Bing Crosby’s house one evening for dinner to discuss a song for the film Going My Way. During the meal, one of the children began complaining about how he did not want to go to school the next day. Crosby turned to his son and said, “If you don’t go to school, you might grow up to be a mule.” “Swinging on a Star” won the 1944 Oscar for Best Original Song. that man over there The Broadway musical Here’s Love was inspired by the 1947 movie Miracle on 34th Street which won three Academy Awards and was nominated for Best Picture. In 2005, the film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry of Congress as being “culturally, historically (and) aesthetically significant.” Speaking of aesthetically significant, we might just expect a visit from a significant man (or two) in red.... 19

my girl Written and produced by William “Smokey” Robinson, Jr. and Ronald White for the 1965 album The Temptations Sing Smokey, the song became the Temptations' first #1 hit single. Today, it is one of the signature songs in the 2017 Broadway smash Ain’t Too Proud and in 2018 was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress. loSt in the StarS Lost in the Stars the musical is based on Alan Paton’s novel Cry, the Beloved Country, premiering on Broadway in 1949. The title song is sung by a black Anglican priest living under what was South Africa's apartheid system. He wonders how to tell his wife that their son is facing the hangman after murdering a white man during a robbery. Aspects of the father’s crisis of faith may be reflective of Weill’s own following his escape from Nazi Germany. What a WonderFul World Recorded in 1967 by Louis Armstrong, the song topped the pop charts in the United Kingdom and, in 1999, was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. It was first offered to Tony Bennett who turned it down but would later have the good sense to record it several times. What’s the connection to stars? Listen carefully for “Twinkle, twinkle, little star” each time the main melody begins. it’S you or no one This song has a strong brass player lineage. From the Warner Brothers’ movie Romance on the High Seas, it was first recorded by jazz trumpet virtuoso Harry James only days before Doris Day’s vocal rendition and despite this film being her 1948 screen debut.

a Child iS born Referred to as a beautiful ballad of mainstream jazz, “A Child is Born” was first conceived as an instrumental piece in 1969 for the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra with lyrics added independently by Alec Wilder. The song has been recorded by a number of singing stars including Tony Bennett, Stanley Turrentine, Carmen McRae, and Bill Evans. Shalom Discussing how the opening song for Milk and Honey came to be, Jerry Herman once related the story of being on an airplane bound for Israel. “When we got there, everybody said shalom to us. When we arrived? Shalom. When we left? Shalom. Shalom when we got up in the morning. So, I said, ‘Well, here’s a great idea for a song.’” We three kingS oF orient are Also known as The Quest of the Magi, this Christmas carol was written in 1857. The first carol originating from the United States to achieve widespread popularity, the lyrics center around the Biblical Magi (magicians, astrologers), visiting Jesus as a child in a house sometime after his birth to give him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh while paying homage to him. Though the event is mentioned in the gospel of Matthew, there are no details regarding the names, number of, or even whether the magi were indeed royalty. Wiegenlied Published in 1868, this is perhaps one of the most well-known and most loved of all lullabies. It was written by Brahms for his friend Bertha Faber to celebrate the birth of her second son. Brahms had been in love with Faber in her youth and constructed the melody to suggest a counter-melody to a song Faber used to sing to him. How, with its reference to a “Christkindleins Baum (Christmas Tree)”, it made its way onto the Orpheus Club’s very first concert program in April 1910 remains a mystery. Good evening, good night, With roses covered, With cloves adorned, Slip under the covers. Tomorrow morning, if God wills, you will wake once again.

Good evening, good night. By angels watched o’er, Who show you in your dream a Christmas tree. Sleep now blissfully and sweetly, see Paradise in your dream.

Sing unto the lord In 1964, Richard Lane became Orpheus’ accompanist and composed this anthem, the first of what would become a list of over twenty compositions written expressly for and dedicated to the OCMC. It has become our proud custom to perform at least one of his pieces during each Orpheus concert season. This year, in addition, we remember Frank Strobl who served Orpheus from December 1970 until his passing this year as a member of the bass section, part captain, soloist, committee member and chair, president and president emeritus. Both Dick and Frank served on the search committee that hired the current OCMC music director. Program notes written by John Palatucci

Thanks for coming! Happy Hanukkah! Blessed Yule! Merry Christmas! Joyous Kwanzaa! Happy New Year to you and yours! 21

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Our Wednesday evening rehearsals start again January 15, 2020 8 to 10 p.m. The Georgian Room Care One at the Cupola W. 100 Ridgewood Avenue, Paramus

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