Orpheus Club Men's Chorus - Spring Concert 2022

ORPHEUS CLUB MEN’S CHORUS

MUSIC SPRINGS ETERNAL! CO N C E R T April 24, 2022 SUNDAY • 4:00 P.M.

First Presbyterian Church 722 E Ridgewood Ave. • Ridgewood John Palatucci, Director Ron Levy, Pianist/Assistant Conductor Justin Kemp, Associate Artist Proof of vaccination for admission and mask wearing by all audience members is required for this event.

Thank you for your consideration and cooperation.

This program is made possible in part by a grant administered by the Bergen County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs from funds granted by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

ORPHEUS CLUB MEN’S CHORUS ridgewood orpheus club.org

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Welcome!

Welcome to the Orpheus Club annual Spring Concert. 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 patron. 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).

F 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 3

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 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.”

Last Memorial Day John performed God Bless America at Yankee Stadium with the 89th NY (National) Guard Band while this past December he made his sixth consecutive guest conducting appearance at the National Chorale’s NYC “Messiah Sing-In." 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 4

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.

JUSTIN KEMP is a drummer and percussionist based out of Bergen County, NJ. Well-versed in all genres of music, Justin is often seen performing throughout the tri-state area with a variety of ensembles. He has performed for many theatre productions in venues such as the MPAC, Montclair State University, and Centenary University, along with many other theaters, cabarets, and high school shows.

Justin has worked with choral groups such as the Drew University Singers, Montclair State University Chorale, New Jersey Youth Chorus, and various others. He can also be seen jamming-out on stage as a sub-drummer for numerous pop, rock, and jazz bands and serves as an on-call percussionist for many Concert Bands and Orchestras in the North-Jersey Area.

Beyond his experience performing, Mr. Kemp is a passionate educator. He is the Band Director for Rochelle Park Public Schools and is the Percussion CaptionHead for the Chatham High School Marching Band. He teaches drums and percussion privately and also teaches at "Elefante Music School for the Performing Arts" in New Providence, NJ.

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WANTED! MEN SINGERS for Orpheus

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H

Our Wednesday evening rehearsals start again Sept. 14, 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

ORPHEUS CLUB SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 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. The Harriet & Edward Levy Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the memory of the Levy children's parents, Harriet & Edward, both of whom were accomplished amateur musicians. They instilled their love of music in Ron, Dennis, Walter & Lorrie, and provided them with music lessons and encouragement. It is in this spirit that this award is given.

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 activitie ROLAND L. MEYER ORPHEUS CLUB SCHOLARSHIP

We are pleased to announce Ms. Yoona Park from Paramus as the winner of the 2022 Roland L. Meyer Scholarship award of $2,000. Ms. Park is a senior at Paramus High School and plays the viola. She is a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, the Paramus Chamber Strings, the Paramus Symphony Orchestra, the Paramus High School Quartet as well as the New York Youth Symphony and the Juilliard School Pre-College organization. Her awards and honors include the Jocelyn Music Excellence Award, the North Jersey Region I High School Viola Principal Chair, NJ High School Orchestra Viola Principal Chair the New York Virtuoso International Competition (Solo First Place winner), the American Prize in Chamber Music, the Charleston International Music Competition (First Place winner) and many others.

Yoona will be attending Juilliard this fall.

CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK, YOONA!

We are also pleased to announce Ms. Margot Jerkovich as the winner of the 2022 Harriet and Edward Levy Memorial Scholarship award. Ms. Jerkovich, from Ridgewood, is a senior vocalist at Ridgewood High school. Margot was the Assistant Musical Director of the RHS AcaBellas and participated in the Ridgewood High School Choir and the Maroon and White recital. She is one of the leads in this year’s New Players musical. She also performs covers and originals with a band outside of school. Her awards and honors include selection to the NJ All-state Choir and the NJ All-State Treble Choir.

CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK, MARGOT!

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.

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ORPHEUS PROGRAM

Spring 2022 Salutation................................................................................ William Benz America the Beautiful ................. Katherine Lee Bates and Samuel A. Ward I

Stout Hearted Men .................. Sigmund Romberg and Oscar Hammerstein II From The New Moon

For the Beauty of the Earth ..................................................... John Rutter De Animals a - Comin .................................................. American Spiritual Arranged by Marshall Bartholomew II

Summerland ................................................................... William Grant Still From Three Visions (1936)

Ron Levy, piano

Dance ............................................................................. William Grant Still From A Deserted Plantation (1933)

Ron Levy, piano

Bridge Over Troubled Water (1969) ........................................ Paul Simon Margot Jerkovich, soprano III

A Place in the Choir ................................................................. Bill Staines Arranged by Erica Phare-Bergh

America Singing ............................................................ Roger Stubblefield (OCMC World Premiere) Mitchell Shapiro, tenor; Sam Shaw, bass

Seventy-Six Trombones ................................................... Meredith Willson From The Music Man

Arranged by William Stickles

There will be a fifteen-minute Intermission.

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ORPHEUS PROGRAM

Spring 2022 IV

Desperta Ferro ................................................................... Christopher Fox For the Longest Time .................................................................. Billy Joel Arranged by Roger Emerson

Mitchell Shapiro and Lou Fucito, soloists Vernon Reed, Robert Husband and David Strife, tenors Richard Rehbein and Peter Bernich, baritones Ed Brouillard and Bob Casparian, basses

The Voice of Music................................................................. Richard Lane V

Vocalise .................................................... Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873–1943) From Fourteen Romances, Op. 34; 1915

Arranged by Mark Hayes

Yoona Park, viola VI

Jamaica Farewell ........................................................ Jamaican Folk Song Arranged by L. M. House

Not While I’m Around .................................................... Stephen Sondheim From Sweeney Todd

Arranged by Robert Page

Let All Men Sing ............................................................. Keith Christopher

'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.

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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

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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*

MITCHELL G. SHAPIRO

SECOND TENOR LOU FUCITO**, Part Captain PAUL BERINATO***

TOM GRAHAM

NEIL NEUBERT*

ROBERT GREMILLOT

RICHARD REHBEIN

DAVID STRIFE

BARITONE PAUL NELSON, Part Captain JOE BURNEY

JIM O’ROURKE

RAY PIXLEY

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* GREG FARRELL* JIM LISANTI** HAL MAXWELL RICHARD REGAN

HERB COHEN* ANDREW FERRETTI JOE LISELLA** JOHN MCKEON*

BILL DEBLOCK* JOHN GALVIN* JIM MATTHEWS ** JIM MISKOWSKI

ASTOR RILEY

RICK SWANSON*

GARY STARK MARLIN TOWNES

* 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

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PATRONS & SPONSORS Orpheus is especially thankful for all our patrons and donors who have supported us throughout these trying times. Our performances and our scholarship programs would not be possible without your kind generosity.

PATRONS

DONORS

Ms. Margaret Jane Budd* Mr. Jacques Du Bois 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. & Mrs. Steven M. Steiner** Mr. Tom Veit

Gold Circle Support ($500 - $999)

Ms. Marcia Perry Ms. Margaret Jane Budd Copper Circle Support ($100 - $249)

TRUSTS FOUNDATIONS AND GRANTS

Bergen County Division of Historic and Cultural Affairs Ridgewood Arts Foundation The Herb and Arlene Cohen Trust Network for Good ROLAND L. MEYER ORPHEUS CLUB SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Mr. Peter Bernich Ms. Margaret Jane Budd Mr. Robert Husband Mr. Robert Silvera Ms. Marcia Perry Ms. Alex Rainer-Meyer Michael and Yolanda Thomas

Mr. Robert Casparian Mr. Jacques Du Bois Mr. Robert Silvera Mr. David Strife Mr. Ed Brouillard Mr. Herb Cohen Mr. Mitchell Shapiro Mr. Peter Bernich Mr. Richard Regan Mr. Robert Gremilot Mr. Robert Petretti Mr. Joseph Rigolio Mr. Sam Shaw Mr. Tom Graham Mr. & Mrs. Steven M. Steiner Mr. Tom Veit Mr. Ted Richter Bronze Circle Support ($50 - $99)

Mr. Bill DeBlock Bob Husband Mr. Jim O'Rourke Mr. Lou Fucito Ms. Concetta DeLuca Michael & Yolanda Thomas

THE HARRIET & EDWARD LEVY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARD

Ron Levy Administrator

MUSIC PURCHASES

Mr. Peter Bernich The Herb and Arlene Cohen Trust Mr. Thomas Purwin Mr. Robert Silvera

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Program Notes April 2022

WELCOME! We, the singers of the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus (OCMC), are delighted that you have chosen to share our annual spring concert with us. Your support means so much especially in these troubled and troubling times. As this concert focuses on the promises of Spring, it is our hope that our efforts help you look to the coming days with energy, enthusiasm, and hope!

STOUTHEARTED MEN from The New Moon From the third of Sigmund Romberg’s most well-known works, the others being “The Student Prince” and “The Desert Song,” tonight’s opening selection with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II is perhaps its most well-known melody. We, here, dedicate its performance to all the stouthearted singing men of Orpheus!

FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH John Rutter has long been considered one of the deans of modern choral music. He breathes fresh air into this familiar text about the loveliness of the planet and the relationships we share as residents of it.

DE ANIMALS A-COMIN’ Spirituals rooted in the African American experience have long been staples of the Orpheus Club’s repertoire. Here is one of our favorites, arranged by Marshall Bartholomew, legendary conductor of the Yale University Glee Club.

TWO PIECES BY WILLIAM GRANT STILL Like our own Ron Levy, Mr. Still was a graduate of Oberlin Conservatory. Known during his lifetime as the “Dean of African-American Composers,” Still was part of what became known as the Harlem Renaissance.

Summerland from Three Visions Dance from A Deserted Plantation BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER It is with great pleasure we present this year’s winner of the Harriet and Edward Levy Memorial Scholarship, Ms. Margot Jerkovich, singing one of the signature songs by the musical team of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. Please read Margot’s biography here in our program.

A PLACE IN THE CHOIR Bill Staines who passed away late last year wrote hundreds of songs including this cross-generational jewel. Regarded as an old school troubadour, his songs have been covered by artists including Peter, Paul, and Mary. Celtic Thunder’s version by Erica Phare-Bergh has over 7 million YouTube views. The OCMC sings it here for you today.

AMERICA SINGING The OCMC is proud of our tradition of commissioning the composing of works for men’s chorus. This latest addition from renowned American composer Roger Stubblefield was originally commissioned for performance in spring of 2020 for our 110th as well as our current music director’s 30th anniversaries. The text is excerpted from Walt Whitman’s epic poem Leaves of Grass, especially the lines "the party of young fellows, robust, friendly, singing with open mouths, their strong melodious songs." Thank you, Roger!

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SEVENTY-SIX TROMBONES from The Music Man Meredith Willson’s masterpiece musical comedy is a love letter to the great American concert bands of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. That affection was well placed due to his early career as John Philip Sousa’s piccolo player. It won the 1957 Tony award for Best Musical, beating out another masterpiece by yet another conductor for whom he played, this time in the NY Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story.

DESPERTA FERRO! This barn burner was composed in 2019 as a commission by the Central Pennsylvania chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. It is based on a medieval Catalan war song but, unlike typical militaristic anthems, its text is a call to “arms” for healing and peace. Iron awakes!

THE LONGEST TIME The exact date of the OCMC “chamber singers” debut is veiled in mystery. We first appeared unannounced at a spring concert way back when the chorus was still performing at what is now Benjamin Franklin Middle School. What is not mysterious is how much a part of our concerts this group, including original bass Ed Brouillard, has become. Enjoy!

THE VOICE OF MUSIC During each concert season, the OCMC is proud to present the music of our former pianist and composer-in-residence of some 40 years, Richard Lane. He wrote today’s offering in 1969 and dedicated it to the club and its then music director Mr. Gerald Weale. It is a rich example of Richard’s compositional style, full of warm lyricism and inventive, intriguing harmony.

VOCALISE from Fourteen Romances, Op. 34 Please help us welcome the recipient of the 2022 Roland L. Meyer Memorial Scholarship, Yoona Park, who you can read all about elsewhere in the program. Just not while she’s performing Serge Rachmaninoff’s ravishing Vocalise!

JAMAICA, FAREWELL This charming folk-song has been recorded often, most notably by Harry Belafonte. It is about the beauty of the West Indian Islands. It describes the beautiful nature of Jamaica with a twist of an early-ended love affair.

NOT WHILE I’M AROUND from Sweeney Todd The OCMC honors the memory of the great Stephen Sondheim with this poignant piece from one of his monumental Tony award winning musicals. While the show’s original context involves its two main character villains, the singing men of the OCMC wish to lift up our dear members and their loved ones who have been sidelined due to the pandemic, are struggling with illness or battling loss. We’ll be there.

LET ALL MEN SING Music has been, is still and will always be a means to bring people together. A beloved hymn, a national air, an infectious dance tune, a well-known folk-song all have the power to unite. So, it is with the final selection to this year’s spring concert. “May ev’ry people make this their creed: to join together in word and in deed!” May it be so.

Program notes by John Palatucci, OCMC music director

Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus ridgewoodorpheusclub.org 14

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