Orpheus Club Men's Chorus - Holiday Concerts 2021

Note: For the final repertoire and list of performers from Pascack Valley High School, see the Orpheus website: www.ridgewoodorpheusclub.org

GLEE

•

CLASSICAL

•

POP

•

B R OA D W AY

•

FOLK

ORPHEUS CLUB MEN’S CHORUS ridgewood or pheus club.org

Children’s Joy

HOLIDAY CONCERTS John Palatucci, Director Ron Levy, Pianist and Assistant Conductor

Justin Kemp, Percussion

Choir Director Argine Safari

Dec. 18, 2021 SATURDAY • 7:30 P.M.

Dotti Fucito, Visual Producer

Dec. 19, 2021

FEATURING

SUNDAY • 4:00 P.M.

Pascack Valley High School Performers

First Presbyterian Church 772 East Ridgewood Ave. • Ridgewood

Happy HHolidays Happy olidays ffrom rom TThe he RRidgewood idgewood GGuild!!! uild!!!

Congratulations to The Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus on their 2021 Holiday Concert.

A heartfelt heartfelt “thank “thank you you”” for pperforming erforming aatt The RRidgewood idgewood GGuild’s uild’s 12thth Annual Annual … …....

For more information on The Ridgewood Guild visit us at ridgewoodguildnj.com, or call 201.493.9911

2

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 Finley’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.”

In December of 2019, John led the OCMC to NYC’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral where they participated in the annual “A City Singing at Christmas” concert.

John will also be making his sixth consecutive guest conducting appearance at the National Chorale’s “Messiah Sing-In”, this year to be presented at the Parish of Saint Vincent Ferrer in NYC. RON LEVY, international acclaimed pianist, has been called "first-class" by the New York Times. He regularly appears in major venues, both as a soloist and collaborative artist, and has been pianist and harpsichordist of many symphony orchestras.

A resident of Vermont for over 20 years, Ron was a faculty and Board member of the Manchester Music Festival, Music Director and Conductor of the Opera Theatre in Weston, and Program and Music Director at the historic Equinox Hotel. A graduate of Oberlin, he has taught at numerous colleges, and is currently on the faculty of Montclair University's Cali School of Music, as well as The Ridgewood Conservatory. In addition, he is Music Director of the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, Pianist & Assistant Conductor of the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus, a member of the Arundo Trio, and pianist of the award-winning Palisades Virtuosi, of which he is a founding member. A prolific recording artist, CDs by Mr. Levy are available on the Albany, Centaur, Eroica, 4-Tay, Great Kate, High Point, Koch International, Phoenix, South Mountain and Summit labels. Several of the individual CDs comprising PV's 'New American Masters' series (Albany & 4-Tay Records) have been submitted for Grammys.

A two-term President of the Professional Music Teachers' Guild of NJ, Mr. Levy is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Rockland and Monmouth Symphony Orchestras; he is also a consultant to BIM Music Publications, Switzerland.

Mr. Levy is the unintentional star of the YouTube video "Top Five Worst Page Turn Fails," which has gone viral with over two million hits.

4

JUSTIN KEMP is a drummer and percussionist based out of Bergen County, NJ. Versed in all genres of music, he can often be seen performing throughout the TriState Area in various theater companies, colleges, and high school pit orchestras, as well as subbing for pop, rock, and jazz bands. Beyond his experience performing, Justin is the Band Director for Rochelle Park Public Schools and is the Percussion Caption-Head for the Chatham High School Marching Band.

Thanks for coming!

Happy Hanukkah!

Blessed Yule!

Merry Christmas!

Joyous Kwanzaa!

Happy New Year to you and yours!

Keep up with the

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

5

WANTED! MEN SINGERS for Orpheus

H

H

Our Wednesday evening rehearsals start again January 12, 2022 8 to 10 p.m.

Unitarian Society of Ridgewood 113 Cottage Place, Ridgewood

Call for more information!

Bob Husband 201-602-9092 Vernon Reed 973-349-5895 Lou Fucito 201-445-0027

• 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 Scan this code to reference this link: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/22-3597641 and you go directly to the Orpheus link. 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

www.ridgewoodorpheusclub.org 6

Our Guests PASCACK VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL PERFORMERS Featuring Audrey Koh, cello Amy Santo, soprano Joel Noonan, tenor Elizabeth Barlow, bassoon Steven Gincley, vocalist Armorie Lewis, vocalist Juan Zapateiro, vocalist Lucas Tytla, guitar The Pascack Valley High School Bro Squad

MRS. ARGINE SAFARI director Argine Safari is the director of choral music and also teaches music theory at Pascack Valley High School (PVHS) in Hillsdale, NJ. Prior to PVHS, she served as conductor and pianist for the Grammy award-winning Brooklyn Youth Chorus. She has been active as director of music and vocal coach for more than 30 musicals and has performed in venues such as Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden. She was the co-founder and artistic director of the Youth Theater Company, Stage Scene and Song Performing Arts. She serves as music director and organist at Christ Lutheran Church in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Argine has been recognized for her reflective teaching practices. Her awards include: 2010 Princeton University Distinguished Scholar 2015-2016 Bergen County Teacher of the Year 2017 NJ State Teacher of the Year 2017 independent consultant for the NJ State Department of Education 2018 Lowell Milken Fellow 2018 NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence winner 2018 NJEA Art Teacher of the Year 2019 US Fulbright Distinguished Teacher: conducted music education research at The Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts in Helsinki, Finland. Her work

7

included presenting masterclasses, clinics, seminars, and facilitating round-table discussions in Russia, France and Germany as well as throughout Finland.

Both of Argine’s children are passionate about music. She was privileged to teach her son Areg at PVHS. Her favorite thing is giving young people a lifechanging opportunity to create and share beauty with the world through the art of music.

December 20, 2021 Saint Vincent Ferrer RC Church 869 Lexington Avenue, New York City

Come and sing under 13 renowned conductors including OCMC music director John J. Palatucci

8

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.

In spite of the Orpheus shutdown in the 2020 season due to Covid, Orpheus awarded the 2020 Roland L. Meyer Orpheus Club Scholarship grant of $2000 to Kieran Corcoran from Ridgewood High School. Additionally we have awarded the 2021 grant to Alisa Berenshtein from Pascack Valley High School and the Harriet & Edward Levy Memorial Scholarship of $1000 to Emanuel Singletary from Hackensack High School.

We hope to be able to honor other outstanding musicians in coming years.

Applications for our 2022 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.

9

ORPHEUS PROGRAM

Holiday 2021 I

Fanfare for Christmas Day ...................................................... Martin Shaw Bidi Bom ........................................................................... David Eddleman Prayer from Hansel and Gretel................................ Engelbert Humperdink Arranged by Fred Shattuck II

Three Christmas Carol Arrangements (1994) ........................... Traditional Arranged by Joseph Turin

God Rest You Merry Gentlemen Silent Night Good King Wenceslas Ron Levy, piano

Oblivion .............................................................................. Astor Piazzolla Audrey Koh, cello

Sharanya Devarakonda, piano

Gesu Bambino ....................................................................... Pietro A. Yon Arranged by Stephen DeCesare

Amy Santo, soprano

Joel Noonan, tenor

Argine Safari, piano

III

Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer ................................ Randy Brooks Arranged by Christopher W. Peterson

Tom Purwin, guitar

Twas The Night Before Christmas ............................................ Ken Darby Arranged by Harry Simeone

Joe Burney, Lou Fucito, Michell Shapiro, tenors Paul Nelson, Eric Schwarz, baritones There will be a fifteen-minute Intermission.

'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.

10

ORPHEUS PROGRAM

Holiday 2021 IV

Affirmation ............................................................................ Richard Lane Arranged by John Palatucci

Lou Fucito, tenor

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree ..................................... Johnny Marks Arranged by Kirby Shaw

Vernon Reed, Mitchell Shapiro, Lou Fucito, Richard Rehbein, tenors Jim Miskowski, Paul Nelson, baritones. Ed Brouillard, Bob Casparian, basses

You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch............................................. Albert Hague Lyrics by Dr. Seuss; Arranged by Jeff Funk

Sam Shaw, bass

Peace Song ............................................................................... Greg Gilpin Vernon Reed, tenor V

Concertino, Andante sostenuto ...................................... Stanislav Sukhanek Elizabeth Barlow, bassoon

Argine Safari, piano

I’ll be Home for Christmas ............................. Kim Gannon and Walt Lucas Steven Gincley, Armorie Lewis, Juan Zapateiro, vocals Lucas Tytla, guitar Feliz Navidad ........................................................................ José Feliciano Arranged by Tom Gentry

Pascack Valley High School Bro Squad current and alumni members VI

Holiday Road of Carols ............................................ Lindsey Buckingham Arranged by Greg Gilpin

Tom Purwin, guitar Believe.......................................................... Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard From the Polar Express

Arranged by Mark Hayes

Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming....................................... Michael Pretorius Arranged by Archibald Davis

Interlude .......................................................................................Ron Levy Ron Levy, piano

All Through the Night......................................................... Welsh Folksong Arranged by Howard Kasschau

Jim Lisanti and David Strife, tenors Paul Nelson, baritone Ed Brouillard, bass

Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep ................................. Irving Berlin Arranged by Charles Boutelle 11

OFFICERS Vernon Reed ............................................................ President Bob Husband ........................................................... Chairman Jim O’Rourke ........................... Vice President, Administration Paul Nelson ................................ Vice President, Membership Peter Bernich ........................................................... 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

12

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 VERNON REED*, Part Captain PETE BERNICH*

BOB HUSBAND*

JIM LISANTI**

MITCHELL G. SHAPIRO

SECOND TENOR LOU FUCITO**, Part Captain JOE BURNEY

JOHN GALVIN*

NEIL NEUBERT*

RICHARD REHBEIN

DAVID STRIFE

BARITONE JIM MISKOWSKI

PAUL NELSON

TOM PURWIN

ERIC SCHWARZ

BASS SAM SHAW*, Part Captain EDWARD J. BROUILLARD***

BOB CASPARIAN*

DAVID SILVER

ROGER JACOBSON ROBERT SILVERA***

ACTIVE – NOT SINGING IN THIS CONCERT WILLIAM AMAZZINI* BILL DEBLOCK*

PAUL BERINATO*** MATTHEW FAIRCHILD

HERB COHEN GREG FARRELL

ANDREW FERRETTI

TOM GRAHAM

JOE LISELLA**

HAL MAXWELL

ALEX ISHKANIAN JOHN MCKEON*

JIM O’ROURKE

RAY PIXLEY

RICHARD REGAN

ASTOR RILEY

VAN SCHNELLBACHER*

DENNIS SEBAYN

GARY STARK

RICK SWANSON*

MARLIN TOWNES

* Each star represents ten years of music making

Congratulations!

BILL AMAZZINI ~ 10 years ED BROULLIARD ~ 30 years BOB SILVERA ~ 30 years 13

14

PATRONS & SPONSORS PATRONS

Ms. Margaret Jane Budd* Mr. Jacques DuBois de Vroylande Mr. Steve Fell Ms. Dorothy P. Fucito* Mr. Cliff Gerenz Mr. James Rash & Ms. Marcia Guthrie*

Ms. Marcia Perry** Mr. Robert J. Petretti** Mr. Ted Richter Mr. Joseph Rigolio Mr. Tom Veit Mr. & Mrs. Steven M. Steiner**

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. Edward Brouillard Ms. Margaret Casparian Mr. Herb Cohen Mr. Gregory Farrell Mr. Tom Graham Mr. Robert Gremillot Mr. Robert Husband

Mr. David Kerr Mr. James Lisanti Mr. James Matthews Mr. Hal Maxwell Mr. Paul Nelson Mr. Thomas Ott Ms. Marcia Perry Mr. Robert J. Petretti Mr. Thomas Price Mr. Phil Raspe

Mr. Vernon Reed Mr. Richard Regan Mr. Richard Rehbein Mr. Ted Richter Mr. Joseph Rigolio Mr. Aster Riley Ms. Barbara Sacks Mr. Robert Silvera Mr. David Strife Anonymous

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 Mr. Bob Casparian

Mr. William DeBlock

Ms. Alex-Rainer Meyer Ms. Marcia Perry

THE HARRIET AND EDWARD LEVY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Ron Levy Administrator 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. Peter Bernich Mr. Herb Cohen Mr. Robert Gremillot

Mr. James Lisanti Ms. Marcia Perry Mr. Richard Rehbein MEMORIALS

In memory of Ed Seidler from the Seidler and Silber families In memory of Heather Fitzsimmons from Mr. and Mrs. William DeBlock In memory of Heather Fitzsimmons from Mr. and Mrs. James Ruitenberg

15

Program Notes December 2021

We, the singers of the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus (OCMC), are delighted that you have chosen to share this evening of music making with us. Your support means so much especially in these troubled and troubling times. As these concerts seek to focus on seeing the season through the eyes of children, it is our hope that our efforts get you in the holiday spirit with good will to all!

FANFARE FOR CHRISTMAS DAY Our concert begins with Martin Shaw’s rousing fanfare. During the Victorian era there was a great rebirth of native-born English musical composition that continues today. Shaw’s training included study with Ralph Vaughn Williams and this piece is dedicated to Vaughn Williams’ wife Adeline.

BIDI BOM The OCMC proudly bills itself as a community chorus. Though Hanukkah was observed earlier this month, we nevertheless want to honor those members of our community who celebrated the season with this energetic melody, rich with a sense of dance. Hanukkah Sameach!

PRAYER FROM HANSEL AND GRETEL Engelbert Humperdinck, the 19th century composer not the 20th century crooner, was anything but a one hit wonder. That being stated, there is no question that his opera Hansel and Gretel is his masterpiece and the prayer sung by the title characters is its crowning jewel.

THREE CHRISTMAS CAROL ARRANGEMENTS The OCMC continues to celebrate our wonderful pianist, assistant conductor, collaborator (some might say instigator) and friend Ron Levy. We are beyond pleased to present him here playing Joseph Turrin's medley of familiar carols. Mr. Turrin himself has strong OCMC ties.

He studied piano and composition with Richard Lane and we have performed his "Credo" for unaccompanied male chorus. His career takes him from the concert halls of Lincoln Center to the sound stages of Hollywood GRANDMA GOT RUN OVER BY A REINDEER Randy Brooks enjoys a distinguished career as a singer-songwriter. However, he himself has stated his resignation to the fact that no matter what else he might accomplish in life he is destined to be remembered for just one song – this one. Enjoy!

‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS Much of America’s vision of Santa Claus was codified by Clement Moore’s perennial Christmas poem. The musical setting presented here has quite the musical pedigree. Premiered by Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians with assistance from Harry Simone (The little drummer boy) and a young Robert Shaw.

AFFIRMATION Once again, we are pleased to remember OCMC’s long-time accompanist and composer-inresidence, the late great Richard Lane. Originally composed in 1986 for solo voice and piano with words by Ridgewood pillar Marcia Sloat and dedicated to Richard’s dear friend Joan Stevens.

16

ROCKIN’ AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE Best remembered for “Rudolph the red nosed reindeer,” Johnny Marks wrote many seasonal songs which all found a permanent home in the 1964 Rudolph TV special. Though not performed outright, if you listen carefully to the show’s soundtrack, you will hear this tune which was originally recorded by Brenda Lee in 1960.

YOU’RE A MEAN ONE, MR. GRINCH Like Rudolph and Frosty before him, Dr. Seuss’ Grinch has become a holiday mainstay character. From the original 1957 story to the 1966 TV holiday special to big budget Hollywood movies to Broadway, who knew (besides Cindy Lou Who) he would learn that “Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more” than things that come from a store?

PEACE SONG “We shall overcome” was introduced to Dr. King by folk singer Pete Seeger who in turn credited Guy Carawan, in 1957. Intertwining it here with composer Greg Gilpin’s lilting original melody, we salute this year’s coming of Kwanzaa. We testify, here and now, that together we shall indeed overcome.

A HOLIDAY ROAD OF CAROLS Made famous as the theme for “National Lampoon's Vacation” movie, our arrangement incorporates verses of Jingle Bells; Deck the Hall and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. Would you like to sing along? By all means, please do!

BELIEVE Written for and featured in the movie "The Polar Express," this inspirational ballad stands on its own. It has a message that speaks not only to children but to people of all ages!

LO, HOW A ROSE E’ER BLOOMING Do you remember this lovely Christmas hymn from last year’s virtual video performance, posted on the OCMC website? Here it is in its entirety. The arrangement is by the legendary Dr. Archibald Davison and the Harvard University Glee Club, America’s oldest.

INTERLUDE Original music composed by Ron Levy.

ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT 2021 marks the 110th anniversary of OCMC’s first public performance here in the village during January 1911. This famous Welsh folksong was in that event’s repertoire list. Though the setting presented this season is not the same, it’s OCMC connection is no less strong since it comes from the pen of our historic music director Howard Kasschau.

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS The OCMC remains committed to our mission of being an agent for good in the greater NY/NJ metropolitan area. As we count our blessings during this holiday season and everyday into the new year, we will think of you, our friends, family, and fans.

Happy Hanukkah! Blessed Yule! Merry Christmas! Joyous Kwanzaa!

Happy New Year!

John Palatucci, music director THE ORPHEUS CLUB MEN’S CHORUS

17

WOMEN’S VOICES WELCOME The Ridgewood Choral, the women’s chorus singing since 1928, is preparing for a Spring, 2022 concert.

Sopranos and Altos are invited to join.

OUR 90th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT West Side Presbyterian Church, Ridgewood, NJ

Friday morning rehearsals (from 10 a.m. to noon) start on January 7, 2022 at Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, 113 Cottage Place, Ridgewood, NJ For more details on membership and Ridgewood Choral’s long history of “Song and Service” visit www.ridgewoodchoral.org

18

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

19

Join today and support our mission to promote the arts in and around Ridgewood. Your contributions help fund worthy artistic endeavors by visual and performing artists in our community.

RAF offers three levels of membership with an array of exciting benefits. Higher level members receive admission to our annual art tour and Honors event.

www.ridgewoodorpheusclub.org