Orpheus Club Men's Chorus - Spring Concerts 2019

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Orpheus Club men’s ChOrus John Palatucci, Director • Ron Levy, Pianist/Assistant Conductor • Justin Kemp, Percussion • Dotti Fucito, Visual Producer

sPRing

ConCeRts

CELEBRATING OUR

110th year of Song

April 6, 2019 Saturday • 7:30 p.m.

April 7, 2019 Sunday • 4:00 p.m.

ridgewood united methodist Church 100 dayton St. • ridgewood

Special gueSt

Kristen plumley Soprano

ridgewoodorpheusclub.org


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Welcome! Welcome to the spring concerts of the Orpheus Club. At these programs we celebrate the music of our Immigrant Ancestors, emphasizing their contributions to the rich cultural backround of America . 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 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).

ca 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, a Master of Arts degree in music performance from Montclair State College of New Jersey, and a Masters of Education degree in educational leadership with all accompanying certificates from NJ EXCEL. He started singing at the age of eight in a family Christmas pageant. His love affair with choral music began at the age of ten when he was selected for his hometown church's boy choir. Beginning in the fall of 1990, Mr. Palatucci became music director 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 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 Ridgewood Concert Band, and Carmina Burana with the Summit Chorale as well as several commissions of new music for male chorus. 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 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 3


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 Fantasywith the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. Under the auspices of the NJCC, with the OCMC and the Rutgers University Glee Club, in 2012 he helped organize and oversee 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.” In December, John conducted at the National Chorale's Lincoln Center Messiah Sing-In for the third time. This July 14th, he will be guest conducting at the 150th annual Ocean Grove Choir Festival as well. 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, the Albany Symphony and 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 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). 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. Recently, Mr. Levy was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Rockland and Monmouth Symphony Orchestras; last spring, in celebration of the 50th 4


anniversary of his concerto debut, he soloed with both orchestras, performing concertos of Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Grieg & Beethoven. A two-term President of the Professional 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 CDs comprising Palisades Virtuosi's New American Masters Series (Albany Records) have been submitted for Grammys. Justin Kemp is a drummer and percussionist from Madison, N.J. currently studying music Justin Kemp is a graduate of Montclair State University specializing in drums and percussion. Versed in all genres of music, he can often be seen performing in the various theater companies around NJ, subbing for blues, latin, and jazz bands, as well as performing with many choral groups. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education, Justin is not just an avid performer, but a teacher as well. Justin is currently working in the Tenafly Public School District as the maternity leave Elementary Band and Orchestra director at Maugham and Mackay schools. He also teaches private lessons and has taught all forms of percussion in public school band programs and marching bands. MaRGaREt SWinchoSKi, flutist, began her musical studies at the age of nine in Vermont. She graduated with degrees and high honors both in Performing Arts and Music Education from Johnson State College, Johnson, Vermont. She received her Master of Arts degree from Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. Ms. Swinchoski is now on the faculty of The Ridgewood Conservatory. She was a featured soloist at the National Flute Association Convention in the World Premiere of Leo Kraft’s “From The Hudson Valley” and also premiered Richard Lane’s Flute Concerto with the Adelphi Chamber Orchestra. She has appeared as a concerto soloist with many other orchestras. Ms. Swinchoski was presented in her debut recital by Artists International at Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall. She has served as principal flutist with the Westchester and Harrisburg Symphony Orchestras, and travels to Ohio each summer to play principal flute with the Lancaster Festival Orchestra. Her solo debut CD “From The Hudson Valley” was released by Albany Records in 2000 and garnered rave reviews from “Fanfare” magazine and “American Record Guide”. Ms. Swinchoski can also be heard on the Newport Classics, CRI and High Point labels. As a founding member of the Palisades Virtuosi, she has commissioned and premiered over 80 works for flute, clarinet & piano. PV has concertized through the tri-state area and in Hawaii and Canada. Volumes 1 thru 6 of PV's New American Masters series have been released by Albany Records and to date have received several fantastic reviews including being named to the Fanfare Magazine "Most Wanted" lists! Ms. Swinchoski has been honored with an Outstanding Alumni Award from Johnson State College.

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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!

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orpheus club scholArship progrAm 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 exceeding 27,000. 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.

p roland l. meyer orpheus club scholarship We are pleased to announce Ms. Ula Goldstein from Leonia, New Jersey, as the winner of the 2019 Roland L. Meyer Scholarship award of $2,000. A senior at Leonia High School, Ms. Goldstein is a soprano and a music composer, writing for solo voice, choral arrangements and orchestral compositions. She is a member of the Leonia High School Chamber Choir, Leonia High School Women’s Choir and the TriM Music Honor Society. She received the Worldstrides “Maestro” award for Best Solo, and was selected to the All State Mixed Choir, Region I Choir and the Bergen County Chorus.

Congratulations and Good Luck, Ula!

p 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 All contributions are tax-deductible. 7


officers Vernon Reed ............................................................. President Bob Husband ........................................................... Chairman Pete Bernich ............................ Vice President, Administration Paul Nelson ................................ Vice President, Membership Cliff Hook .................................................................. Treasurer Rick Swanson ............................................................ Librarian Board of truSteeS SiNgiNg MeMBerS

Greg Farrell Dave Kerr

Steven Fell

Lou Fucito 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 8

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 CHARLES BROWN JIM LISANTI* MITCHELL G. SHAPIRO

PETE BERNICH* BOB HUSBAND*

Second Tenor PAUL BERINATO***, Part Captain JOHN CENTENARO LOU FUCITO** ROBERT GREMILLOT JAMES M. MATTHEWS** RICHARD REHBEIN

JOE BURNEy BILL DE BLOCK THOMAS GRAHAM JOE LISELLA* RAy PIxLEy DAVID STRIFE

MATTHEW FAIRCHILD JIM MISKOWSKI GARy STARK

BILL AMAzzINI STEVEN FELL** TOM OTT*

RAy DIJON

NED CENIT VERNON REED*

BariTone DAVE KERR*, Part Captain GREG FARRELL* PAUL NELSON

HERB COHEN* JOHN GALVIN* CLIFF HOOK NEIL NEUBERT* ASTER RILEy RICK SWANSON

ANDREW FERRETTI JAMES O’ROURKE ERIC SCHWARz

BaSS SAM SHAW, Part Captain EDWARD J. BROUILLARD** ROGER JACOBSON

acTive – noT Singing in ThiS concerT ALEx KEHL VAN SCHNELLBACHER

BOB CASPARIAN JOHN MCKEON MARLIN TOWNES

JIM LATHEy

preSidenT eMeriTUS FRANK STROBL*** * 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 Add your email address at our website to be kept fully up to date on all events! 9


orpheus progrAm

Spring 2019 i

Salutation .................................................................................. William P. Bentz America the Beautiful .................... Katherine Lee Bates and Samual A. Ward The audience is invited to join in singing.

We Sing as One ................................................................... Andrew Mills Setting by Richard Lane

Arirang …….…………… ......................... Traditional Korean Folk Song Arranged by Lon Beery

You'll Be Back ............................................................ Lyn-Manual Miranda From Hamilton

Andrew Faretti, baritone

Arranged by Lisa DeSpain

Soldiers Chorus .................................................................. Charles Gounod From Faust

English text by Theodore Baker ii

Prelude in G Minor .................................................. Sergei Rachmaninov Ron Levy, piano

Vocalise (from 14 Romances, Op:34; 1915)............. Sergei Rachmaninov Margaret Swinchoski, flute Ron Levy, piano iii

Hear, O Israel .................................................................... ancient Hebrew Mitchell Shapiro, tenor

Arranged by Harvey Gaul

Roving ....................................................................................... Sea Chanty Sam Shaw, bass

Arranged by Alec Rowley

Siboney ............................................................................. Ernesto Lecuona A Night at the Opera .................................................................................. Arranged by John Palatucci Selections by Geuseppi Verdi, Arthur Freed, Nacio Brown, Banislau Kaper, Walter .Jurman and Ned Washington.) Mitchell Shapiro, tenor Sam Shaw, bass there will be a fifteen-minute Intermission. 10


orpheus progrAm

Spring 2019 iv

Brush Up Your Shakespeare ......................................................Cole Porter

From Kiss Me, Kate

Arranged by William Stickles

So In Love .................................................................................Cole Porter

From Kiss Me, Kate

Arranged by William Stickles Matthew Fairchild, baritone

In the Still of the Night ................................................................Fred Paris

Arranged by Ed Lojeski David Strife, lead Peter Bernich, Mitchell Shapiro, tenor-1 Joe Lisella, Thomas Graham, tenor-2 Paul Nelson, Aster Riley, baritone William Amazzini, Edward Brouillard, Robert Casperian, bass Robert Kaplan, tenor saxophone

Danny Boy ..................................................... Traditional Irish Folk Song

Words by Fred Weatherly Arranged by Mark Hayes

Margaret Swinchoski, flute v

Presentation of the 2019 Winner Roland l. Meyer orpheus club Scholarship O Mio Babbio Caro .......................................................... Giacomo Puccini From Gianni Schicchi; 1917-18 Ula Goldstein, soprano

(1858 – 1924)

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Ride the Chariot ............................................................. American Spiritual

Arranged by William Henry Smith Lou Fucito, Thomas Graham, tenors

At the River .................................................................... American Hymn

Aaron Copland Arranged by R. Wilding-White

No Man is an Island .....................................Joan Whitney and Alex Kramer

Arranged by Roy Ringwald

Vernon Reed, tenor

Give Me your Tired Your Poor ..................Emma Lazarus and Irving Berlin

Arranged by Roy Ringwald

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pAtrons & sponsors paTronS Ms. Heather Fitzsimmons Ms. Alice Kelly Fleckenstein Mr. James Rash & Ms. Marcia Guthrie*

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

aSSociaTe MeMBerS Mrs. Dotti Fucito* SUBScriBing MeMBerS Ms. Margaret Jane Budd

Mrs. Marianne S. Neville**

Mr. & Mrs. Steven Steiner*

Ms. Roberta A. M. Ragg**** Mr. Frank Strobl

donorS The Orpheus Club gratefully acknowledges the following members and friends who have made donations to the club: Bank of America / Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Mr. Herb Cohen

Mr. Greg Farrell Mr. Steve Fell Mr. James Matthews Mr. Thomas Ott

Ms. Marcia Perry Mr. Thomas Price Mr. Eric Schwarz 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

Mr. Herb Cohen ~ for “Arirang” Mr. Robert Gremillot ~ for “You'll be Back” “Dedicated to my wife and children” Ms. Marcia Perry Mr. Robert Silvera ~ for “Danny Boy” “Dedicated to my father; Robert D. Silvera” Mr. Peter Bernich Mrs. Patricia Horner ~ for “At the River” “Dedicated to the memory of Past Orpheus President Robert Duane” '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.'

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Dinner Anyone? Our partner restaurants on this page are offering a

10% discount

to our Spring concert audience members who present this Orpheus program at dinner on sunday, April 7

BREaKfaSt • lunch • DinnER Serving the Community for 50 Years

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progrAm notes April 2019 SalutatioN: hail! frieNdS of MuSic The OCMC's signature fanfare theme song, “Hail, friends of music” was composed by William Benz in 1934 and first sung at New York City's 71st Regiment Armory during a meeting of the Associated Glee Clubs of America in April of that year. proceSSioN: aMerica, the Beautiful On the pinnacle of Pike’s Peak in 1893 a poem started to come to Katherine Lee Bates. She wrote the words down upon returning to her hotel room. However, not until New Jersey church organist and choirmaster (and founder of what is now the Orpheus Club of Madison, NJ) Samuel A. Ward adapted one of his hymn tunes, did Bates’ poem become “America, the Beautiful.” Sing with us! We SiNg aS oNe Composed for the OCMC’s 90th anniversary by our beloved friend and accompanist for over 40 years, the late Richard Lane. The anthem exemplifies the Orpheus ideal of fraternal community; 'We sing as one in heart and mind and spirit.’ ariraNg There are 3,600 variations of the 60 known versions of “Arirang,” considered the unofficial national anthem of both North and South Korea. All include a refrain similar to, 'Arirang, Arirang, Arariyo.’ During the Japanese occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945, "Arirang" was sung as a resistance song to protest Japanese oppression. Many of the versions from this period contain themes of injustice, the plight of laborers, and guerrilla warfare. Arirang, Arirang, Arariyo, you are going over Arirang hill. My love, you are leaving me, your feet will be sore before you go ten li. Just as there are many stars in the clear sky, there are also many dreams in our hearts. There, over there, that mountain is Baekdu Mountain, where, even in the middle of winter days, flowers bloom. Where, even in the middle of winter days, flowers bloom. “You'll Be Back” from Hamilton Alexander Hamilton immigrated to the then American colonies from his native Jamaica. “You'll be back” is from Act 1 of Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s ground-breaking 2015 Tony award winning musical based on the founding father’s life. It lampoons the profound tone deafness of King George III toward the petitions of his increasingly rebellious colonial subjects. “SoldierS’ choruS” from Faust When French composer Charles Gounod’s opera premiered in March 1859, the critics were full of praise though the audience was less enthusiastic. It was the most frequently performed opera in Paris for decades, has been translated into 25 languages, and so popular that when the Metropolitan Opera opened its doors in 1883, Faust was the inaugural production.

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prelude iN g MiNor: Ron Levy, piano The brilliant pianist, conductor and composer whom fellow Russian ex-patriot composer Igor Stravinsky called "a 6 and a half foot tall scowl" when photographed, Rachmaninoff escaped the 1917 Russian revolution to Helsinki, Sweden in an open sleigh and arrived in America one year later. He became a US citizen in 1942, shortly before his death. VocaliSe Composed and published in 1915 as the last of Rachmaninoff's '14 Songs' or '14 Romances,' Op. 34. Originally for high voice (soprano or tenor) with piano accompaniment, it contains no words, but is sung using any one vowel of the singer's choosing. As a result, instrumental soloists have long embraced it as well. hear, o iSrael/Sh’Ma YiSroel This prayer is central to morning and evening Jewish worship. The text is from the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:4), echoed by Jesus in the New Testament, and perfectly summarizes Judaic tradition which was brought to America by those seeking escape from Europe’s prejudice and persecution. roViNg The lyrics of "The Maid of Amsterdam", also known as "A-Roving," have many variations that revolve around tales of a sailor's amorous encounter with an Amsterdam maid, who, sometimes is married, sometimes is taking advantage of the sailor for his money or, in one version, has the pox. Regardless of varying lyrics, almost all versions contain the jaunty chorus. SiBoNeY Ernesto Lecuona is considered one of Cuba’s most illustrious composers. He wrote both music and lyrics of 'Siboney' in 1929 during a period of homesickness. Becoming a hit in 1931, it has been performed and recorded by artists as diverse as Dizzy Gillespie, Connie Francis, and Placido Domingo. Siboney, how I want you, I would die to have your love. Siboney, honey’s sweetness from your lips wings like a dove. Come to me, I who love you, my treasure, and want you as close to me as can be. Siboney, breezes whisper, as palms murmur thoughts of you. Siboney, my dreams call out, can’t you hear my voice for you all about? Siboney, if you don’t come, I’ll die with your love away. Siboney, with tides dreaming in my hut awaiting you anxiously. You alone are that person who owns all my love. Siboney, hear the echo of my song so crystal clear. Don’t lose your way in the shadows of the swamp night’s fear. SelectioNS froM a Night at the opera A smash hit at the box office, 'A Night at the Opera' was the first of five films the Marx Brothers made for MGM starting in 1935. It was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as well as inclusion in the American Film Institute's updated 100 Years…100 Movies. The plot revolves around an Italian opera company’s production of Verdi’s Il Trovatore, including an ocean voyage to America. Along with songs “Alone” and “Cosi Cosa,” listen for music from the opera as well as more than one quote from “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” BruSh up Your ShakeSpeare and So iN loVe from Kiss me, Kate Kiss Me, Kate was Cole Porter's response to Rogers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! and other integrated musicals. This was the first show he wrote in which the music and lyrics were firmly connected to the script and won the first Tony award for Best Musical in 1949. 15


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iN the Still of the Night As the OCMC did for our centennial celebration in 2009, we present what was the very first R&B selection ever performed by members of the OCMC. Recorded in 1956 by Fred Parris and the Satins, later covered by Boyz to Men, followed by the inaugural appearance of the OCMC Chamber Singers way back in the days when we performed our one spring concert on the stage at what was then Ridgewood’s Benjamin Franklin Junior HS. daNNY BoY: with Margaret Swinchoski, flute Arguably the most famous of folk melodies, it first appeared in print in 1855 and came to America with those who fled Ireland after the great 19th century potato famine. In 1902, it’s most famous iteration, “Irish Tune from County Derry,” was set by Percy Grainger (who would become an Orpheus Club guest artist) after finding it in a collection of music given him by fellow composer Charles Villiers Stanford. After his Irishborn American sister-in-law sent him a copy of the melody in 1913, Frederick Weatherly wed the wordless tune to one of his poems, the combination of which is now beloved around the world. roland Meyer Memorial Scholarship Winner recognition: ula goldSteiN o, Mio BaBBiNo caro from Gianni Schicchi - Giacomo Puccini This aria is sung by Lauretta after tensions between her father Schicchi and the family of Rinuccio, her lover, have reached a breaking point.

O, my dear papa! I like him, he is handsome. I want to go to Porta Rossa to buy the ring! Yes, yes I want to go there! And if my love were in vain, I would go to the Ponte Vecchio and throw myself in the Arno! I am aching, I a tortured! Oh God, I'd like to die! Father, have pity, have pity! ride the chariot Some come to America to escape hunger or hatred. Others have been dragged to her shores from their homes against their will. During the 400 hundred year scourge of American slavery, people had to hide conversations from their owners and overseers and song became a form of communication. ‘We’re gonna ride the chariot in the morning’ was conceivably code for ‘Our escape attempt is by wagon tomorrow morning.’ at the riVer The way west was populated largely by diverse immigrant communities. This wistful hymn of farewell, future gathering and redemption was often used in Western film soundtracks especially by director John Ford in movies such as 'Stagecoach,’ 'Tobacco Road,’ 'My Darling Clementine,’ 'Wagon Master’ and 'The Searchers' as well as by Sam Peckinpah in 'Major Dundee,' 'The Wild Bunch,' and 'Hang 'Em High.’ No MaN iS aN iSlaNd The title phrase of this powerful music is taken from a poem by John Donne (“Meditation XVII” from Devotions upon Emergent Occasions) and describes the idea of human beings as social creatures, designed for a communal life of noble inter-reliance and who fare poorly when divided or isolated from one another. giVe Me Your tired, Your poor from Miss Liberty Just before Miss Liberty’s final curtain, the heroine sings Berlin’s song to Emma Lazarus’ inspiring words at Castle Garden which preceded Ellis Island as the landing site and processing center for hundreds of thousands of immigrants. Berlin himself was an immigrant from eastern Europe. The words he set to music then are as true today as they were when the Statue of Liberty was unveiled in New York harbor in 1886 and as true as the spirit born on these shores in 1776.

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Wanted!

Men SingerS

H H

for orpheus

Our Wednesday evening rehearsals start again:

September 11, 2019 8 to 10 p.m. The Georgian Room Care One at the Cupola W. 100 Ridgewood Avenue, Paramus

Call for more information!

201-677-8439

• Enjoy the Camaraderie • It’s a great weekly break • Come to rehearsal—try us

out!

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 merely reference this link: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/22-3597641 and Scan this code to 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

The annual Orpheus Club

Holiday ConCerts

Saturday, December 14, 2019 • 7:30 pm Sunday, December 15, 2019 • 4:00 pm

Save the daTeS!

Mark your calendars now so you won’t miss this delightful way to celebrate the season. 18


660 Harristown Road Glen Rock, NJ 07452 201-445-5668 www.perrysflorist.net

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