Orpheus Club Men's Chorus - Holiday Concerts 2015 by Orpheus Club Men's Chorus

OrpheuS Club men’S ChOruS John Palatucci, Director • Ron Levy, Pianist

Holiday ConCerts December 19, 2015

December 20, 2015

sAtURdAy • 7:30 p.m.

sUndAy • 4 p.m.

bethlehem lutheran Church 155 linwood Ave. • Ridgewood, nJ

Special Guest ViOlinist

Laura Hamilton Ushers: Friends of the Orpheus Club

w w w. r i d g e wo o d o r p h e u s cl u b . o r g

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

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 northern and central New Jersey. We welcome your inquiries about singing with us. If singing is not for you but you enjoy attending our concerts, we invite you to consider becoming a subscribing member. As such, you will be kept apprised of our upcoming concerts and will enjoy significant savings on the cost of tickets. For more information feel free to speak with any singing member after the concert, visit our website (www.ridgewoodorpheusclub.org), or write to us (PO Box 114, Ridgewood).

In the fall of 1990, John J. Palatucci became music director of the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus. His efforts to uphold and grow the OCMC's proud history, tradition, and reputation include performances at Carnegie Recital Hall and the NYC Public Library at Lincoln Center with the Adelphi Chamber Orchestra, the Orchestra of Saint Peter-by-the-Sea, the Palisades Virtuosi, the Bergen Philharmonic, the Ridgewood Choral, and the Ridgewood Concert Band. During his tenure, several compositions, both gifts and commissions of new music for male chorus, have been dedicated to him and the OCMC. In addition to his duties as OCMC music director, Mr. Palatucci is an associate conductor of the Ridgewood Concert Band, has conducted concerts of the Imperial Brass, and is otherwise in demand as a clinician, featured soloist and guest conductor. He holds a B.A. in music education and an M.A. in applied music from Montclair State College as well as a M.A. in educational leadership with all applicable certifications from NJ EXCEL. Presently serving as a music teacher in the Livingston Public Schools, he has also served on the faculties of Caldwell College, Montclair State and William Paterson State Universities where he taught courses in applied music, chamber performance, and pedagogy. 3

For more information about Mr. Palatucci, please visit the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus web site: http://www.ridgewoodorpheusclub.org/thedirector.html Ron levy, internationally acclaimed pianist, has been called "first-class" by the New York Times. He regularly appears as a soloist, and in partnership with many of the world's leading singers and instrumentalists. A graduate of Oberlin, Mr. Levy is a founding member of the Hudson Trio, Kaleidoscope, the New World Trio, the Manchester Chamber Players, the Breucklen Trio and the award-winning Palisades Virtuosi, resident chamber ensemble at Bergen Community College and the University of Hawaii. He has been pianist and harpsichordist of the Oberlin Orchestra, the Adelphi Chamber Orchestra, the New Jersey and North Jersey Philharmonics, the Westchester Symphony, and the Albany Symphony. Presently he is Associate Artist with the All Seasons Chamber Players. For over 20 years, Mr. Levy was associated with the Manchester (VT) Music Festival, of which he was a faculty and Board member. While living in Vermont, he was Music Director & Conductor of the Opera Theatre in Weston, and impresario of the "Third Saturday" chamber music series at the historic Equinox Hotel, as well as the "Music on the Hill" series at the Southern Vermont Art Center. A champion of new music, he has been the recipient of a considerable number of works written for him by prominent composers. Mr. Levy has taught at numerous colleges, and is currently an instructor at Montclair State University; he maintains an active and on-going affiliation with the Manhattan School of Music, Juilliard, and NJ PAC. Mr. Levy conceived two "mini-festivals" which were presented by the NY Public Library at Lincoln Center. In 2008 Mr. Levy played in St. Petersburg, Russia, and at the venerable Stratford (CA) Summer Music Festival (with Palisades Virtuosi). Recently, Ron performed the inaugural concert of the new faculty recital series at MSU. He was joined by legendary clarinet virtuoso Stanley Drucker, and Ann Kim, solo cellist with the NY City Ballet. On November 29, 2013 Ron presented a concert at Carnegie Hall, performing sixteen works written for him (including two for the Orpheus Club). A two-term President of the Professional Music Teachers' Guild of NJ, he is a contributing editor to BIM Music Publications, Switzerland. Recently Mr. Levy was appointed to the Board of the Rockland (NY) Symphony. Mr. Levy served on the jury of the The 2013 Heida Hermanns International Piano Competition. Recordings by Mr. Levy are available on the Albany, Centaur, Eroica, Koch International, MMF and High Point labels. 4

Our Guest lauRa hamilton is currently Acting Co-Concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. During her 29-year tenure with the Metropolitan, she has led hundreds of performances with distinguished maestri such as Levine, Gergiev, Luisi, Jurowski, Eschenbach, Gatti, Langree, and Nezet-Seguin. She has been concertmaster for many of the Met's live international HD video transmissions, including Salome, Carmen, Parsifal, Madama Butterfly, Turandot, and Nixon in China. In addition, she has been leader for scores of live radio broadcasts, and in summer concerts in Central Park and Prospect Park. Also with the Met, she has toured extensively in the United States, Europe and Asia, and participated in multiple operatic and symphonic recordings with Deutsche Gramophon and Sony Classical. Previously a member of the Chicago Symphony, she appeared with that orchestra as concerto soloist with Sir Georg Solti at the podium. The California native trained at the Moscow Conservatory of Music and at Manhattan School of Music, where she was the Nathan Milstein Scholarship recipient. In the field of chamber music, Ms. Hamilton has performed in the Marlboro, Tanglewood, Manchester, and Bard Music Festivals, in summer festivals in Norway and Greece, and on the Met Chamber Ensemble series at Carnegie Hall with James Levine and colleagues. Her solo recital debut was at Carnegie Recital Hall in 1981, returning to the same venue (now Weill Hall) in 2006; she has maintained an active role in solo repertoire as her schedule allows. She has served as guest concertmaster for the Seattle Symphony, the American Symphony Orchestra, the Welsh National Opera, and the Adelaide Symphony in Australia. In the summers, she has been concertmaster for the New Hampshire Music Festival, the Waterloo Festival, the Berkshire Opera, and since 2012, Lake Tahoe SummerFest. Her instrument was made in 1732 by Carlo Tononi in Venice, Italy. In 2014, Ms. Hamilton went on leave from the Metropolitan Opera to serve as Concertmaster of the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, resident ensemble at the Sydney Opera House. While in Sydney, she was featured soloist performing Massenet's Meditation from Thais in a gala concert at the Opera House with famed tenor Jonas Kaufmann. Laura Hamilton teaches at New York University. She has been visiting faculty at New World Symphony and Manhattan School of Music, and at Bel Canto Institute in Florence, Italy in 2009. Her private studio has been host to many talented musicians who have gone on to careers in major American orchestras. Ms. Hamilton makes her home in New Jersey with her husband, cellist Lanny Paykin, and their three daughters. 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

Town & Country Apothecary 60 East Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, NJ

Lewis Drugs 298 Westwood Avenue, Westwood, NJ

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

Rock Ridge Pharmacy 191 Rock Road, Glen Rock, NJ

The Wine Seller 6 West Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, NJ

Wine & Spirit World 626 North Maple Ave., Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ

The Orpheus Club appreciates your help and support!

A NeW 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 referScan this code to ence this link: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/22-3597641 and you will go directly to the see our name displayed at the top of the screen. Shop exactly the same as Orpheus link. 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 6

IN MEMORIAM

James J. Bellotti January 17, 1956 – June 17, 2015

Robert Westerdahl November 14, 1935 – August 4, 2015 These concerts are dedicated to their memory. We note with sadness the passing of two active brothers in song, and thank all who made donations in their memory. MeMORiAL DONATiONS in memory of Jim Bellotti Mr. & Mrs. Denis Agovino Ms. Rose Marie Y. Munroe Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Bellotti Mr. & Mrs. Phil Raspe Mr. & Mrs. Barry Carton Ms. Francesa Signore Ms. Lorraine Dudeck Mr. & Mrs. Leon Van Gelder Mr. & Mrs. Louis Fucito Mr. & Mrs. Don Weinphal in memory of Bob Westerdahl Mr. & Mrs. John Nicolaysen Mr. & Mrs. Phil Raspe Annie Louise Reardon Mr. & Mrs. Charles Scheibe Mr. & Mrs. John Schillizzi Tracy & Jay Sigmann Mr. & Mrs. William Smith, Jr. Ms. Evalyn Weissenborn Mr. & Mrs. Robert Wieme

Mr. & Mrs. Walter Celuch The Del Rio Family The Finley Family Mr. & Mrs. Louis Fucito Mr. & Mrs. Don Maurer Ms. Kuu Mavaro Mr. & Mrs. Barry Morgan Mr. & Mrs. Michael Montalbano Mr. & Mrs. Guy Nardo

in memory of Warren Grim Ms. Deborah Schwarz

save the Dates! The annual Orpheus Club

Spring Concerts will be held on

Saturday • April 16, 2016 Sunday • April 17, 2016 Mark your calendars now so as not to miss these gala events. 7

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 $23,000.00. Students from Ridgewood, Indian Hills, Paramus, Pequannock, Glen Rock, Ramapo, Northern Valley (Old Tappan), Eastern Christian, Northern Highlands, Fair Lawn, Verona, Roxbury, Montclair, Leonia and Lakeland 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 and the University of Michigan. At our concerts this past April, we awarded the 2015 Roland L. Meyer Orpheus Club Scholarship grant of $2000.00 to Christina George from Kittatinny Regional High School. She is now attending West Chester University of Pennsylvania. We hope to be able to honor other outstanding musicians in coming years. Applications for our 2016 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. 8

OFFiCeRs Bob Husband .............................................................President Bill Amazzini .................................Vice President, Membership Dave Kerr,..................................Vice President, Administration Peter Bernich ..............................................................Treasurer Neil Neubert ................................................................Librarian Greg Farrell..................................Chairman, Board of Trustees

BOARd OF tRUstees sinGinG memBeRs

Steve Amarante

Steven Fell

Thomas Olszewski

Clifford Gerenz Henry Trepicchio

nOn-sinGinG memBeRs

Dotti Fucito

Marcia Perry

Phillip Raspe

COmmittee ChAiRmen Paul Berinato ..................................................................................................Music Peter Fenzel ...............................................................................................Publicity

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

orpheus Club men’s Chorus First tenor ROBERT F. SILVERA**, Part Captain CHARLES BROWN

BOB HUSBAND

JIM LISANTI*

VERNON REED* seConD tenor PAUL BERINATO**, Part Captain PETE BERNICH*

HERB COHEN*

BILL DE BLOCK

PETER FENzEL

JOHN GALVIN*

CLIFFORD GERENz*

ROBERT GREMILLOT

CLIFF HOOK

JAMES M. MATTHEWS*

JOE LISELLA*

NEIL NEUBERT*

RICHARD REHBEIN

DAVID STRIFE

RICK SWANSON baritone DAVE KERR*, Part Captain

CHARLES AUSTIN*

JIM LATHEy

TOM OLSzEWSKI*

JAy PALATUCCI

PAUL NELSON ERIC SCHWARz

TOM VEIT

PHIL WAxBERG bass STEVEN FELL*, Part Captain

BILL AMAzzINI ROGER JACOBSON

EDWARD J. BROUILLARD**

BOB CASPARIAN

JOHN MCKEON

SAM SHAW

TOM OTT VAN SCHNELLBACHER

aCtive – not singing in this ConCert RAy DEJONGHE* ED SEIDLER*

GREG FARRELL* GARy STARK

LOU FUCITO* DENNIS M. STEELE

honorary member

* Each star represents ten years of music making

FRANK STROBL***

H H Congratulations! neil neubert 10 yEARS

Celebrating the song anD spirit oF orpheus 10

patrons & sponsors patrons Mr. Wesley Cheringal Ms. Heather Fitzsimmons Ms. Alice Kelly Fleckenstein Mr. James Rash & Ms. Marcia Guthrie*

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

assoCiate members Mrs. Dottie Fucito*

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

Ms. Margaret Budd Mrs. Alida E. Manley***** Mrs. Marianne S. Neville**

Donors

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

The Orpheus Club gratefully acknowledges the following members and friends who have made donations to the club: Mr. William Amazzini Mr. Charles Austin Bank of America (Merrill Lynch) Mr. Peter Bernich Mr. Edward Brouillard Ms. Margaret Budd Mr. Charles Canale Ms. Marian Casparian Mr. Robert Casparian Mr. Joseph Cattelona Mr.William DeBlock Ms. Concetta R. DeLucia Dow Jones & Co.

Mr. Gregory Farrell Mr. Lou Fucito Mr. John Galvin Mr. Clifford Gerenz Mr. Bernie Greenfield Ms. Elisa R. Grim Mr. Clifford Hook Mr. Robert Husband Mr. Roger Jacobson Ms. Coleen Keating Mr. David Kerr Mr. James Lathey Mr. Ron Levy Mr. James Lisanti

Mr. Joseph Lisella Mr. James Matthews Mr. Thomas Ott Mr. John Palatucci Perry's Florist Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Price Mr. Phillip Raspe Mr. Vernon Reed Mr. Eric Schwarz Mr. Dennis M. Steele Mr. David Strife Mr. Thomas Veit Mr. Phil Waxberg

Contributions towarD musiC purChases Mr. John Butler Mr. Cliff Gerenz

Ms. Marcia Perry Mr. John Palatucci

rolanD l. meyer orpheus Club sCholarship FunD Ms. Maja Britton Ms. Mary W. Bergquist Ms. Margaret Jane Budd Ms. Heather Fitzsimmons in memory of Frank Seeley, Jr., Former Orpheus member

Mr. Wesley Cheringal Ms. Coleen Keating Ms. Alex Rainer-Meyer Ms. Marcia Perry Mr. Thomas Price / Bank of America Unitarian Society of Ridgewood

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. our sinCere thanks

The Orpheus Club is grateful to the many generous patrons, donors and sponsors who have helped to keep the song alive for 105 years. Thank you. 11

orpheus program

Holiday 2015 i

Salutation. ...................................................................................William P. Bentz Deck the Hall .......................................................................................Traditional The audience is invited to join in singing (page 22).

Do You Hear What I Hear ...........................Noel Regney and Gloria Shayne Arranged by Harry Simeone

The First Nowell..........................................................................Traditional Arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams

Ani Ma’amin.....................................................................Traditional Jewish Arranged by John Leavitt Laura Hamilton, violin

Romance No.2 in F, Op. 50 ................................. Ludwig van Beethoven Laura Hamilton, violin iii

O Magnum Mysterium ..............................................................Jacob Handl Arranged by Howard D. McKinney Vernon Reed and James Matthews, tenors David Kerr, baritone, and Sam Shaw, bass

The Prayer............................................ Carole Bayer Sager and David Foster Arranged by Mark Hayes

Go, Tell It On The Mountain ...................................................... Traditional Arranged by Monroe Quinn Charles Brown, tenor, and Robert Casparian, bass Monroe Quinn, guitar

There will be a fifteen-minute intermission. 12

orpheus program

Holiday 2015 iv

Three Christmas Carols .......................................Arranged by Joseph Turrin God Rest You Merry Gentlemen (1994) Silent Night (1995) Good King Wenceslas (2004) Ron Levy, piano

Credo .......................................................................................Joseph Turrin Text from the poem by E. A. Robinson Premiere Performances

Night Song ...............................................................................Richard Lane Laura Hamilton, violin

Little Saint Nick.............................................Brian Wilson and Jay Althouse Arranged by Jim Rash v

Havanaise, Op. 83..........................................................Camille Saint-Saëns Laura Hamilton, violin vi

How Can I Keep From Singing?................................. Traditional American Arranged by Bradley Ellingboe Laura Hamilton, violin

Some Children See Him..................................Wihla Hutson and Alfred Burt Arranged by Hawley Ades Vernon Reed and Robert Silvera, tenors

Jingle Bells ............................................................................James Pierpont Arranged by Jack Gold and Marty Paich Choral adaptation by Mark Hayes

Program Notes December 2015 Music begins simply. There is a tone – a “C” or a “B Flat” – sung by the human voice or played on an instrument. Add another simple tone and you have a harmonious chord. Follow it with more notes and chords, diversify the sounds, the tempos, the voices and the wonderful gift of music, that powerful miracle of sound, touches us deeply. The touch can be inspirational, intellectual or humorous. It can enable us to better express our most profound thoughts and feelings. It helps us celebrate when we are happy or mourn when we are sorrowful . It can bring us together across barriers of language and culture. The Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus is pleased to present our annual holiday concert. The music of this season of the year is particularly rich with meaning and emotion. The world around us is often fraught with fears and dangers. Music expresses our hope that faith and love and what is good about humanity will prevail. We want you to be inspired and entertained as we sing for you, sharing our love of music and letting what is powerful and profound about music enrich our lives. Welcome to our concert! dO yOU heAR WhAt i heAR Words and music by Noel Regney and Gloria Shayne, Arranged by Harry Simeone. Could a Christmas carol come out of the 1962 Cuban missile crisis? This one did. Noel Regney (1922-2002) and Gloria Shayne (1923-2008) were to write a Christmas song for their publisher, but the confrontation between the U.S. and Russia and the threat of nuclear war led them to compose this hymn pleading for world peace, the composers wondering if in the tumult of international tensions and nuclear confrontation that fall, people would forget to hear the Christmas message of peace, spoken softly through a child. French-born Regney had seen war as a resistance fighter in World War II. Shayne, a native of Brookline, Mass., grew up living next door to the Kennedy family and performed as a pianist and arranger for Stephen Sondheim and Irving Berlin. Released Thanksgiving weekend, 1962, by the Harry Simeone Chorale, “Do You Hear What I Hear” became an instant hit and has been recorded by dozens of musical artists. This arrangement is from the original Harry Simeone recording. the FiRst nOWell Arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams “The First Nowell” originated as a Christmas carol in the early 19th Century. “Nowell” (usually “noel”) comes from an ancient French word related to “birth” which came to mean “Christmas.” This choral setting is by R. Vaughan Williams (1872-1958), a prolific and wide-ranging composer who dominated choral music in England for almost 50 years, giving it its own “voice,” breaking away from the continental style of music which had been dominant. He wrote operas, ballets, chamber music, symphonies and both religious and secular choral music. Although a skeptic with regard to faith himself, he wrote much music for the church, including music for hymns like “Come Down, O Love Divine” and “For All the Saints.” Ani mA’Amin (i BelieVe) traditional Jewish, arranged by John Leavitt The text for this piece is from the great 13th Century Jewish scholar Maimonides, who compiled 13 principles of faith. In them he declares complete and perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah. “Even though he may tarry,” says the prayer “even so, I believe.” During the Holocaust, this hymn of faith was sung as Jews went to their death in the gas 14

chambers. Some recite this prayer at the end of their morning devotions. The arrangement is by John Leavitt and the Zamir Chorale in Boston. O mAGnUm mysteRiUm by Jacob Handl Jacob Handl (1550-1591) was also known as Jacobus Gallus. A Cistercian monk from what is now Slovenia, he was a court choirmaster in Moravia. Handl wrote both religious and secular music and is credited with over 500 works in Latin, Italian and German. O Magnum Mysterium, which we present in the antiphonal style of abbey choirs, expresses profound wonder at the “great mystery” of the birth of Jesus. The words of the Latin are translated in this printed program. the pRAyeR Words and music by Carole Bayer Sager and David Foster, Arranged by Mark Hayes Carole Bayer Sager has written songs in various musical styles for many top recording artists. Several of her songs for movies have been nominated for Academy Awards and “Arthur’s Theme” won an Oscar in 1982. “The Prayer,” written in 1998 for the Disney animated film, “The Quest for Camelot,” was nominated for an Oscar that year and won a Golden Globe award. Partly sung in Italian, the original recording was by Andrea Bocelli with Celine Dion, “The Prayer” is a plea for the gift of faith and grace and that we be led to a safe place GO, tell it On the mOUntAin Traditional, arranged by Monroe Quinn This well-known spiritual may have been sung before 1865, but the lyrics are attributed to John Work (1872-1925), a collector of African-American folksongs. The folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary rewrote it as “Tell It On the Mountain,” a song for the civil rights movement. Arranger Monroe Quinn is a contemporary jazz guitarist and performer, who has played with such star performers as Charlie Parker and Sarah Vaughan. He is church musician at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in New Milford/Oradell, where a couple of our Orpheus Club brothers sing in the choir. i’ll Be hOme FOR ChRistmAs Words and music by Kim Gannon, Walter Kent, Buck Ram There is memory, poignancy, love and longing in this familiar Christmas song, first recorded by Bing Crosby in 1943. With millions of men and women away at war, the song perfectly captured the mood of the times. It has been recorded dozens of times, often reaching the top of the pop charts. Kim Gannon (1900-1974) and Walter Kent (19111994) got the original credit for the song, from a poem by Buck Ram (1907-1991). Kent also wrote the wartime hit “There’ll Be Blue Birds Over the White Cliffs of Dover”’ Gannon wrote music for Hollywood films, and lyrics by Ram later became hits for The Platters CRedO By Joseph Turrin, text by Edward Arlington Robinson Joseph Turrin is a multi-faceted award-winning contemporary composer who has composed and directed for many orchestras, movies, and Broadway performers. On the faculty of Montclair State University, he is the regular composer for the New York Philharmonics “Holiday Brass” series, and has written many compositions for the Philharmonic and its musicians. He was a student of Richard Lane, the long-time and much beloved accompanist of the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus. The text of this piece is from American poet Edward Arlington Robinson (1869-1935), winner of three Pulitzer prizes. Robinson’s poems speculate on the sometimes sad mysteries of life. In “Credo,” the poet, lost in the universe, hears only a far-away voice of “imperial music” and through the darkest night senses the “message of the years” and the “glory of the light.” 15

niGht sOnG Lyrics by Adele Shafer, Music by Richard Lane We in the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus honor the memory of Richard Lane, a beloved friend, faithful accompanist, and remarkable composer and musician. At his death in 2004, Richard had been with the Orpheus Club for 42 years. He not only accompanied us on the piano, he taught us, cared for us, and gave us his music as gifts that will endure for generations. Richard wrote “Night Song” for us in 1979, using a poem by New Zealand poet Adele Shafer. Many of Richard’s compositions lift up the mysteries of the universe and the glory of music. “Night Song” reminds us that we ask “questions of the universe,” and although “the stars are silent,” we must keep asking. hOW CAn i Keep FROm sinGinG Traditional American hymn, arranged by Bradley Ellingboe With life as an “endless song,” this traditional American hymn asks “How can I keep from singing.” The words first appeared in 1868, and composer Robert Lowry claims credit for the music. It almost disappeared until it appeared in a Unitarian hymnal in 1993, and a Methodist hymnal in 2000. Those inclusions were likely inspired by Pete Seeger’s version, different from the traditional song, which Seeger sang in the 1960s. It appeared in a Catholic hymnal in the 1970s. The hymn declares that the music of faith is heard “through all the tumult and the strife,” and since “love is lord of heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing.” This arrangement is by Bradley Ellingboe, a contemporary singer, conductor, teacher and composer, a graduate of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota and the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. sOme ChildRen see him Music by Alfred S. Burt, Lyrics by Bates G. Burt and Wihla Hutson The Rev. Bates G. Burt, an Episcopalian clergyman, began composing Christmas carols in 1922, sending them as greetings to his parishioners in Marquette, Michigan. He wrote 19 carols, then handed the family tradition on to his son, Alfred (1920-1954) who had become a prominent jazz trumpeter. Alfred continued composing hymns until his death. Since 2001, Abbie Burt Betinis, a niece, has continued composing Christmas carols. “Some Children See Him” (1951), which Alfred wrote with Wihla Hutson, explains that children see and love the Christ child in a way that spans race or nationality. JinGle Bells Words and music by James Pierpont, arranged by Jack Gold and Marty Paich, choral adaptation by Mark Hayes Did you know that this song goes back to 1857? James Pierpont (1822-1893) was a Boston-born adventurer who ran away to whaling ships in 1836 and later opened a store in San Francisco to serve miners seeking gold in the California gold rush of 1849. Pierpont began writing songs in 1852 and took a post as music director at the Unitarian church served by his brother in Savannah, Georgia. “The One-Horse Open Sleigh” was published in 1857, after making its debut at a Sunday School Concert in Savannah. When his brother moved back to Massachusetts, James stayed in Georgia and served in the Confederate army. He later became music director at a Presbyterian church and taught composition at a school in Quitman, Georgia. “One Horse Open Sleigh” never made any money during the composer’s lifetime, but has become one of the most-recorded songs in history. It was the first song performed in space, when Gemini 6 astronauts Wally Schirra and Tom Stafford played it on a harmonica and bells in December, 1965. This setting by Jack Gold and Marty Paich was recorded by Barbra Streisand in 1967. Program notes by Charles Austin 16

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Translations & Texts ani ma’amin Ani ma’amin, be’emuna sh’léma, B’viat hamashiach, V’af al pi sheyitmameiah im kol zeh ani ma’amin.

I believe, with a complete belief, in the coming of the Messiah, Even though he may tarry, even so, I believe.

o magnum mysterium O magnum mysterium, et admirable sacramentum ut animalia viderent Dominum natum, iacentum in praesepio. Noe.

O great mystery, and wondrous sacrament, that animals should see the newborn Lord, lying in their manger. Noel.

credo I cannot find my way: there is no star In all the shrouded heavens anywhere; And there is not a whisper in the air Of any living voice but one so far That I can hear it only as a bar Of lost, imperial music, played when fair And angel fingers wove, and unaware, Dead leaves to garlands where no roses are. No, there is not a glimmer, nor a call, For one that welcomes, welcomes when he fears, The black and awful chaos of the night; For through it all - above, beyond it all I know the far sent message of the years, I feel the coming glory of the light.

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Orpheus Club www.ridgewoodorpheusclub.org Scan the code at left with your smartphone to go there 19

UPCOmINg 2016 CONCeRTS Friday • February 26 Friday • April 8 West Side Presbyterian Church 6 South Monroe Street For more information: www.ridgewoodband.org

RIDGEWOOD

Symphony ORCHESTRA

Saturday, February 27, 2016 8:00 pm featuring

Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus John Palatucci, Music Director Noah Baetge, Tenor

Celebrating Johannes Brahms

West Side Presbyterian Church

Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80 Selections from Rinaldo, Op. 50 Symphony #2, Op. 73, D major

For more information:

6 South Monroe Street, Ridgewood

www.ridgewoodsymphony.org 21

O Holy Night O holy night, the stars are brightly shining; It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn! Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices! O night divine! O night when Christ was born! O night divine! O night, O night divine!

Deck the Hall Deck the hall with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la la la la la. 'Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la la la la la. Don we now our gay apparel, Fa la la la la la la la la. Troll the ancient Yuletide carol, Fa la la la la la la la la.

Auld Lang Syne Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And days of auld lang syne? For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We’ll raise a cup o’ kindness yet, For auld lang syne.

Rock of Ages Rock of ages, let our song raise thy saving power Thou amidst the raging foes, wast our sheltering tower. Furious they assailed us, but thine arm availed us And thy word broke their sword, when our own strength failed us. And thy word broke their sword, when our own strength failed us.

Wanted!

men singers for orpheus

Our Wednesday evening rehearsals start again January 6, 2016 8 to 10 p.m. The Georgian Room Care One at the Cupola W. 100 Ridgewood Avenue, Paramus

Call for more information! Dave Kerr 973-743-0248 Bill Amazzini 551-404-3976 Bob Husband 201-602-9092

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