Orpheus Club Men's Chorus - Holiday Concerts 2017

Orpheus Club

Holiday ConCerts

John palatucci Director

ron levy Pianist / assistant conDuctor

Justin Kemp

Dec. 16, 2017 saturDay • 7:30 P.M.

Dec. 17, 2017 sunDay • 4:00 P.M. ridgewood united methodist Church 100 Dayton st. • ridgewood

Percussion

Daniela Di pasquale soPrano

sPecial Guest

barbara Dever

ushers: Friends of the orpheus club

Mezzo soPrano

ridgewoodorpheusclub.org

Orpheus Club men’s ChOrus John Palatucci, Director • Ron Levy, Pianist / Assistant Conductor • Dotti Fucito, visual producer

orpheus Club Men’s Chorus First tenor RobeRt F. SilveRa**, Part Captain Pete beRniCh*

ChaRleS bRown

bob huSband*

Jim liSanti*

ned Cenit veRnon Reed*

mitChell G. ShaPiRo seCond tenor Paul beRinato**, Part Captain bill de bloCk

PeteR Fenzel

John Galvin*

CliFFoRd GeRenz*

CliFF hook

JameS m. matthewS*

JameS o’RouRke

lou FuCito* RobeRt GRemillot neil neubeRt*

RiChaRd Rehbein

aSteR Riley

david StRiFe

RiCk SwanSon baritone dave keRR*, Part Captain

ChaRleS auStin*

Ray diJon*

GReG FaRRell*

matthew FaiRChild

andRew FeRRetti

Jim miSkowSki

Paul nelSon

GaRy StaRk bass Sam Shaw, Part Captain

John adamS bob CaSPaRian alex kehl

bill amazzini

edwaRd J. bRouillaRd**

Steven Fell**

RoGeR JaCobSon

John mCkeon

van SChnellbaCheR

tom ott* maRlin towneS

aCtive – not singing in this ConCert heRb Cohen*

Joe liSella*

eRiC SChwaRz

Jim lathey tom veit

honorary MeMber 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 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).

In the fall of 1990, John Palatucci became music director of the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus, Ridgewood’s oldest civic musical organization. His efforts to uphold and enhance the OCMC's proud history, tradition, and reputation, most recently include conducting a June 2017 performance of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana with the OCMC, the Summit Chorale (also founded in 1909) two NJ high school choruses, professional soloists and instrumentalists but also include Johannes Brahms’ Rinaldo with the Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra, 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, and the Maroon Men a cappella group from Ridgewood HS as well as several commissions of new music for male chorus which are dedicated to him and the OCMC. Since 1993 the OCMC and the Ridgewood Concert Band have collaborated on 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, and most recently the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album arranged for male chorus and concert band.

In the spring of 2005, Mr. Palatucci led the OCMC in its Lincoln Center debut, performing at the Lincoln Center Library with the Palisades Virtuosi chamber ensemble. The OCMC became a charter member of the New Jersey Choral Consortium in 2008 where Mr. Palatucci sat on the board of directors and served as vice president. In January 2009, he was honored by his colleagues at Montclair State University by being selected as speaker at the annual Dr. Jack Sacher Memorial 3

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 for male chorus and piano 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 helped organize and oversee an inaugural statewide 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.

Earlier this month Mr. Palatucci conducted at the National Chorale’s 50th annual Messiah Sing-In at Lincoln Center’s Geffen Hall. On Saturday, December 23rd, he will once again guest conduct at Morristown’s 5th annual Merry Tuba Christmas.

Mr. Palatucci holds a BA in music education and an MA in music performance from Montclair State College along with MEd in educational leadership from NJ EXCEL.For more information about Mr. Palatucci, please visit the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus web site: http://www.ridgewoodorpheusclub.org/the-director.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, 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, 4

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 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 education at Montclair State University. Versed in all genres of music, he can often be seen performing in the various theater companies and high school pit orchestras of New Jersey, as well as subbing for blues, latin, and jazz bands. Justin has performed with many notable choral groups and directors such as The Drew University Singers led by Dr. Jason Bishop, The New Jersey Youth Chorus, and various choirs under the direction of Mark Miller. He also has worked with numerous churches and is currently the on call percussionist at “Church of the Little Flower” in Berkeley Heights.

Beyond his experience performing, Justin has been teaching drums and percussion privately for 6 years and recently joined the teaching staff at "In-tune Music School” in Maplewood, NJ. Outside of private instruction, he has also worked as the percussion tech for the Madison High School “Marching Dodgers” and assisted with public school percussion programs from time to time.

Lyric soprano, DanieLa Di pasquaLe, has been performing in concerts for the past 2 years as a special guest vocalist with two-time Emmy nominated tenor, Alfio. She recently finished the concert event “Magic and Mayhem” with The Cantanti Project, and in February will be featured in their production of “Euridice” by Caccini. This June she performed with The Lighthouse Opera Company as Zerlina in Don Giovanni. This July, she performed with Carol Yahr’s NYC Summer Scenes Program as Despina in Così fan tutte. Previously she performed the role of Virtu in L’incoronazione di Poppea with the NYC Lyric Opera. Other main stage and workshop productions include Ciesca in Gianni Schicchi, Regina in Regina, Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro, First nun in Dialogues of the Carmelites, Nanetta in Falstaff, and Blanche in Dialogues of the Carmelites. In addition as an active recitalist, Ms. Di Pasquale performed in solo recitals in Italy near Milan, and Lake Como. Ms. Di Pasquale studied at the Eastman School of Music and received a Bachelor of Music Degree with a concentration in Vocal performance at Montclair State University.

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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

Mango Jam 41 N. Broad Street, 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

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

Matthews Diner 4 Franklin Turnpike, Waldwick, NJ

The Orpheus Club appreciates your help and support!

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Our Guest

barbara dever mezzo-soprano "Barbara Dever, with her earthy mezzo-soprano, made a powerful Flora, an almost sympathetic character in her reflective moments but more often harrowing in her drunken rages.."- New York Times Internationally acclaimed dramatic mezzo-soprano Barbara Dever has sung Dalila opposite Plácido Domingo's Samson in Mexico City and Amneris for the grand re-opening of the Teatro Massimo in Palermo, Italy. Over 24 seasons with the Metropolitan Opera she has sung as Eboli (Don Carlo), Azucena (Il Trovatore), Amneris (Aida), Ulrica (Un Ballo in Maschera) and Herodias (Salome).

She sang with Luciano Pavarotti at the Met and appeared with him on Pavarotti Plus, Great Performances at Lincoln Center. Highlights of orchestral performances include Handel's Messiah and Verdi's Requiem with Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic, Mahler's Des Knaben Wunderhorn with the Louisville Orchestra, and the National Orchestra of Mexico. She made her debut with the Canadian Opera Company as Filippyevna in Eugene Onegin and as Geneviève in Pelléas et Mélisande.

Ms. Dever received critical acclaim for the role of Baba in The Medium with the Spoleto Festival. Her recordings include Amneris in Aida (Naxos), Azucena in Il Trovatore (Fone live from Parma) and Adalgisa in Norma (Teatro Bellini in Catania), and Beethoven's Ninth Symphony under the baton of Seiji Ozawa (Phillips). She was inducted into the South Jersey Hall of Fame and received an honorary doctorate from Rowan University. She is Distinguished Artist in Residence at Montclair State University and an Adjunct Professor at Rowan University.

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oFFicers bob husband ........................................................... President vernon Reed , .......................... vice President, administration Gary Stark .................................. vice President, membership Cliff hook .................................................................. treasurer Rick Swanson ............................................................ librarian

BoarD oF trustees sinGinG MeMBers

Greg Farrell

Steven Fell

Clifford Gerenz

lou Fucito dave kerr

non-sinGinG MeMBers

dotti Fucito

marcia Perry

Phillip Raspe

coMMittee chairMen Paul berinato ................................................................................................ music lou Fucito ................................................................................................ Publicity vernon Reed ..................................................................................... 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 8

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

patrons & sponsors patrons Ms. Heather Fitzsimmons

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

Ms. Alice Kelly Fleckenstein Mr. James Rash & Ms. Marcia Guthrie*

assoCiate MeMbers Mrs. Dottie Fucito*

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

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

Ms. Roberta A. M. Ragg**** Mr. & Mrs. Steven Steiner* 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 Ms. Mary W. Bergquist Ms. Marriane Casparian Mr. Herb Cohen Ms. Heather Fitzsimmons Ms. Alice Kelly Fleckenstein

Mr. Clifford Gerenz Mr. David Kerr Mr. James Matthews Mr. Thomas Ott Mr. John Palatucci Ms. Marcia Perry Mr. Robert J. Petretti

Mr. Thomas Price Mr. Phil Raspe Mr. James Rash Mr. Gary Stark Mr. David Strife 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. roland l. Meyer orpheus Club sCholarship Fund Norwood Cub Scouts

Bank of America / Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Ms. Margaret Jane Budd Ms. Concetta R. DeLucia

Ms. Marcia Perry Mr. Thomas Price

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. Bob Casparian Mr. William De Block Mr. Robert Gremillot

Mr. James Lisanti Ms. Marcia Perry

Mr. Aster Riley Mr. Mitchell Shapiro Mr. Sam Shaw

While some have chosen to remain anonymous in their donations, others have chosen to make donations in honor of friends and loved ones: The Steady Light ~ Mitchell Shapiro "To my beautiful wife Elizabeth who has been my steady light for nearly 30 years" Pure Imagination ~ Robert Gremillot - "To my granddaughter, Heather Mellinger" Cry me a river and The Lord is my shepherd Honoring the memory of Harriet A. (Nardo) Riley, by her loving husband and family.

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NANCY BLOOMER DEUSSEN

“noWell” California composer Nancy Bloomer Deussen is well known both as a composer and performer. She is a leader in the growing movement for more melodic, tonally oriented contemporary music and is founder and President Emeritus of the SF Bay Chapter of the National Association of Composers, USA. Her original works have been performed in the USA, UK, Canada, Indonesia, Iran, Europe, Australia and China and she has received numerous commissions both locally and nationally.

Her education includes degrees in music from The Manhattan School of Music and USC School of Music and composition study with Vittorio Giannini, Lukas Foss, Ingolf Dahl and Wilson Coker.

She was Second Place Winner in 2013 for the American Prize in Chamber Music composition for her "Woodwind Quintet" and in 2014 she was selected as one of five nationally Honored Artists by The American Prize.

Her most recent honors are being chosen as First Place Music Winner of The Vinnie Ream Award (NLAPW-2016), performances by The Missouri Symphony on July 1, 2016 of her "American Hymn" and also in 2017 by The Florida Symphony Youth Symphony on tour in Europe, a commission to compose a work for chorus and orchestra to celebrate the 40 year anniversary of Mission College and 10th anniversary of The Mission College Orchestra (Santa Clara, CA) and a commission from Duo Terlano (PA) for a suite for violin and cello. Both premieres took place this past April.

Upcoming performances of her works include: "American Hymn" by The Peninsula Symphony (CA) and Nova Vista Symphony (CA), "The Transit of Venus" by the South Bay Philharmonic (CA), "Peninsula Suite" by The National String Symphonia (MD) and "Regalos" by The Susquehanna Symphony (MD).

Audio links of some of her works and more information can be found at: www.nancybloomerdeussen.com and www.wendelmusic.com The composer writes: "Nowell" was composed for pianist Ron Levy. When I started working on it I wasn't thinking so much of the Christian holiday but of the spirit of love, sharing and of the centuries of winter solstice celebrations in the past (thus the ancient spelling of the word "Nowell").

The first theme is the love and sharing and the second theme is the fun, frivolity and children's theme.

In the end the chimes can be heard slowly dimming in the distance at the close of a winter solstice day of celebration and there is peace and quiet in the night.

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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 $27,000.00.

Students from Ridgewood, Indian Hills, Paramus, Pequannock, Glen Rock, Ramapo, Northern Valley (Old Tappan), Eastern Christian, Northern Highlands, Fair Lawn, Verona, Roxbury, Montclair, Leonia, Lakeland, Kittatinny, Glen Ridge and West Essex Regional high schools and the Bergen County Academy have been past recipients of Orpheus Club awards. These outstanding young musicians have gone on to study at Oberlin College, the University of Miami, the University of North Carolina, the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Boston University, the Mannes College of Music, Miami University (Ohio), Rutgers University, Calvin College (Michigan), the Manhattan School of Music, Boston College, the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, Hamilton College (New York), Brandeis University, the Cleveland Institute of Music, the University of Michigan, West Chester University (PA), the Colburn School of Music (Los Angeles) and Princeton University.

At our concerts this past April, we awarded the 2017 Roland L. meyer Orpheus Club scholarship grant of $2000.00 to Jeremy Stepansky from Montclair High School. He is now attending Harvard University.

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

Applications for our 2018 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.

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orpheus prograM

Holiday 2017 i

Salutation. ...................................................................................William P. Bentz Deck the Hall .......................................................................................Traditional The audience is invited to join in singing (page 23).

Sleigh Ride .............................................Leroy Anderson and Mitchell Parish I’ve Got My love To Keep Me Warm ......................................Irving Berlin Arranged by John Palatucci

Light One Candle .....................................................................Peter Yarrow Arranged by Robert DeCormier ii

Siete Canciones populares Españolas .............................. Manuel de Falla Barbara Dever, mezzo soprano

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

El Paño Moruno Seguidilla Murciana Asturiana Jota Nana Canción Polo

Nowell ................................................................ Nancy Bloomer Deussen World Premiere Commissioned by R. Levy Ron Levy, piano iii

Rhapsody, Op. 53...............................................................Johannes Brahms Text from Goethe: “Harzreise im Winter” Barbara Dever, mezzo soprano

The Steady Light .............................. Reginald Unterseher and Sheila Dunlop Tonight ...........................................Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim From West Side Story

Barbara Dever, Anita Daniela Di Pasquale, Maria Mitchell G. Shapiro, Tony Bill Amazzini, Riff 12

orpheus prograM

Holiday 2017 There will be a fifteen-minute Intermission. iv

Christmas Day ..........................................................................Gustav Holst Arranged by Dale Wood Daniela Di Pasquale, soprano Sam Shaw, bass

Pure Imagination.................................. Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley Arranged by Jay Althouse Vernon Reed, tenor

A Doo-Wop Christmas .....................................................................Kirby Shaw The Lord Is My Shepherd .....................................................Thomas Matthews Dave Kerr, baritone Lou Fucito, tenor v

Mon cœur s’ouvre à ta voix...........................................Camille Saint-Saëns From Samson and Dalila

Sweet Little Jesus Boy....................................................Robert MacGimsey The Christmas Song..........................................Robert Wells and Mel Tormé Barbara Dever, mezzo soprano vi

Cry Me A River ................................................................ Arthur Hamilton Arranged by Jay Althouse Matthew Fairchild, baritone

The Red Suspenders .............................................................. Richard Lane Mitchell G. Shapiro, tenor

Rhapsody on a Christmas Chorale ........................................Mark Andrews Charles Brown, Jim Lisanti, Lou Fucito and Jim Matthews, tenor Andrew Ferretti and Dave Kerr, baritone Sam Shaw and Bob Casparian, bass 13

prograM notes December 2017 hail! FrienDs oF Music!

Welcome to our Holiday Concert. We will touch on the whole season, with songs from Christmas and Hanukkah, and a tribute to jazz and Ella Fitzgerald as homage to the African-American holiday of Kwanza. We hope our music will entertain you as well as bring joy, inspiration and reflection on the nature of humanity and our world. sleiGh riDe lyrics by Mitchell Parish, Music by Leroy Anderson, arranged by Michael Edwards.

Leroy Anderson was suffering through the hot summer of 1946 and thought that composing a song about a sleigh ride would cool him off. But he didn’t finish the composition until two years later. Originally an instrumental with jingling sleigh bells, the words by Mitchell Parish were added in 1950 and the Boston Pops orchestra turned it into a hit record. It has become a standard in Christmas pop music. Our arrangement by Michael Edwards starts with the “jingle tingle” of those endearing sleigh bells. i've Got My love to KeeP Me WarM lyrics and music by Irving Berlin, arranged by John Palatucci.

This Irving Berlin classic has been swinging and swaying through all musical styles since it was written in 1937 for the musical “On the Avenue”. But it quickly went from the high-society venue of Fifth Avenue to smoky jazz clubs and was recorded that same year

by Billie Holiday. Twelve years later, it was a hit single for the Mills Brothers, and was recorded by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong in 1957. There is hardly a crooner or chanteuse anywhere in the world who hasn’t sung this classic. Although it’s not about Christmas, that blowin’ snow makes it a seasonal favorite. liGht one canDle words and music by Peter Yarrow, arranged by Robert DeCormier.

There are eight candles on the Menorah, lighted by Jews observing Hannukah, a festival of hope and perseverance. Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary) writes in this passionate piece that it takes only one candle to keep hope alive, and to remember those who have died. That light, we sing, must not go out.

Yarrow wrote many songs for the famed trio, and has traveled widely, singing and teaching children about respect and making peace in the world. Robert DeCormier, arranger of this piece, died earlier this year after a distinguished career as choral director, composer, arranger and conductor working with stars like Peter, Paul and Mary, and Harry Belafonte. alto rhaPsoDy words from “Harzreise im Winter” by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, music by Johannes Brahms.

Brahms (1833-1897) wrote this romantic song, with verses from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, as a wedding gift for the daughter of Robert and Clara Schumann, Julie, who was to marry an Italian count. However, it is believed that Brahms also loved Julie and the song conveys a sense of longing and suffering by a sad, troubled soul, seeking sustenance in the wilderness. the steaDy liGht lyrics by Sheila Dunlop, music by Reginald Unterseher.

Reginald Unterseher was named the Washington State Music Teachers’ Association “Composer of the Year” in 2013. The award praised his many choral pieces for their “depth and power.”

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Unterseher, born in Walla Walla, Washington, founded and directed several choruses and is music director for Shalom United Church of Christ in Richland, Washington.

The “steady light” in this moving song is the history and wisdom of those who have gone before. We walk softly and our light grows through the years because that steady light from the past guides and shows us who we are. toniGht from West Side Story, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, music by Leonard Bernstein.

With music by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim and spectacular choreography by Jerome Robbins, “West Side Story” hit the Broadway stage in 1957. The modern re-telling of the “Romeo and Juliet” story was nominated for seven Tony awards and won four. In 1961, the movie won an amazing ten Academy Awards, including best picture, best director, best music and best screenplay. Tonight the guys of the Orpheus Club become the rough and rowdy Jets and Sharks, ready to rumble, as Tony and Maria, the star-crossed lovers, approach the night that will change everything. christMas Day Carol Fantasy by Gustav Holst, arranged by Dale Wood.

A blend of several Christmas carols, this creative work by Gustav Holst (1874-1934) was first performed in 1911. Born in Cheltenham, England, Holst came from a family of musicians. In poor health as a child, he worked hard at the piano, but failed to get scholarships to London colleges. After his success as a composer, he was admitted to the Royal College of Music and took up the trombone to strengthen his lungs, weak from asthma.

Holst became a friend of composer Ralph Vaughan Williams and the two would share their musical ideas. Later influenced by Hindu philosophy, he wrote music based on Hindu holy books. He composed operas, ballets and works for both chorus and orchestra.

This carol fantasy blends several favorite seasonal hymns.

Pure iMaGination words and music by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, arranged by Jay Althouse.

“Want to change the world? There’s nothing to it!” So says this light-hearted song from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The song was written for the 1971 movie and has been covered by many singers. Sometimes its simple thought is parodied. Josh Groban sang it to cheer up some sad Muppets, and the cast of the TV show “Glee” sang it at a funeral. It was also used to introduce a new Microsoft computer.

We of the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus see it as a call to imagine – and work for – a better world. the lorD is My shePherD from Psalm 23, music by Thomas Matthews.

This is probably the world’s favorite Psalm, a calm declaration of confidence that the singer of this psalm is under God guidance and care. Thomas Matthews (1915-1999) was on the musical faculties of several Chicago area institutions and was director of music for Seabury-Western Theological Seminary. He later moved to Tulsa and joined the faculty of the university of Tulsa.

Though he published over 30 choir anthems, this is the best known of his works, having sold more than 1 million copies. cry Me a river words and music by Arthur Hamilton, arranged by Jay Althouse.

The song was written for the 1955 movie, “Pete Kelly’s Blues,” a film noir set in the 1920s, but the scene with Ella Fitzgerald singing was cut from the picture. The song later made it into a British movie, where it was sung by Julie London. Fitzgerald made it part 15

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of her standard repertoire and the ballad is a jazz standard. Songwriter Arthur Hamilton takes credit for the title phrase, and said he was looking for a new way to say “eat your heart out” or “I’ll get even.” the reD susPenDers

by Richard Lane.

Our dear friend, the late Richard Lane, was accompanist for the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus for 42 years. His many compositions, often based on classic poetry, display his amazing creativity, reaching musical heights through his artistry and genius. But Richard had a light side, and this story of Ben, a singing fireman hassled by a stuffy choir director, and a fire at Christmas time is an example of his drollery. We of the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus pay tribute to Richard by including one of his pieces in each of our regular concerts. rhaPsoDy on a christMas chorale (von hiMMel hoch) words and music by Martin Luther, arranged by Mark Andrews.

Martin Luther (1483-1546) a musician as well as a reformer of the church and the key figure in the 16th Century Protestant Reformation, which began 500 years ago in 1517, had a special love for the Christmas story. He wrote “Von Himmel Hoch” (“From Heaven High”) for his family’s Christmas celebration. He first paired it with a popular secular tune of the day, but later wrote this tune usually associated with the carol.

Luther, who liked to use a lot of words, wrote 15 verses for the hymn, which tells how God comes to earth, bringing good news to all through the child born to Mary. This is Luther’s second best-known hymn, following “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” which became the rallying cry for the Reformation.

This arrangement is by Mark Andrews (1875-1939), born in Gainsborough, England, Program notes written by Charles Austin

save the dates!

Spring Concerts the annual orpheus Club

will be held on

Saturday • April 28, 2018 Sunday • April 29, 2018

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

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BReakfast • lunch • DinneR Serving the Community for 50 Years

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The Orpheus Club wishes all of our friends a happy and healthy holiday season.

We thank you for your support this year and look forward to more music making in 2018.

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translations Rhapsody, op. 53 But who is that apart?

In the underbrush his path loses itself.

Behind him The shrubs clap together, The grass stands up again, The wasteland engulfs him.

Ah, who heals the pains Of him, for who balsam became poison?

Who drank hatred of Man Out of the fullness of love?

First despised, now a despiser, He furtively consumes His own merit In unsatisfying egotism. (here the male chorus enters) If there is in Thy Psalter, Father of love, one note To his ear audible, Then refresh his heart!

Open his glouded gaze To the thousand springs Next to the thirsting one In the desert.

mon cœur s’ouvre à ta voix Like one sees the blades Of wheat that wave In the light wind, So trembles my heart, Ready to be consoled, By your voice that is so dear to me!

The arrow is less rapid In bringing death, Than your love is By flying into your arms! |: Ah! respond to my tenderness!

Fill me with ecstasy! :| Dalila! Dalila! I love you!

My heart opens to your voice Like the flowers open To the kisses of the dawn!

But, oh my beloved, To better dry my tears, Let your voice speak again!

Tell me that you are returning To Delilah forever!

Repeat to my tenderness The promises of old times, Those promises that I loved! |: Ah! respond to my tenderness!

Fill me with ecstasy! :| Dalila! Dalila! I love you!

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siete Canciones populares españolas 1. el paño moruno On the fine cloth in the store a stain has fallen; It sells at a lesser price, because it has lost its value.

Alas!

5. nana Go to sleep, Child, sleep, Sleep, my soul, Go to sleep, little star Of the morning.

Lulla-lullaby, Lulla-lullaby, Sleep, little star of the morning.

2. seguidilla murciana Who has a roof of glass should not throw stones to their neighbor's (roof).

Let us be muleteers; It could be that on the road we will meet!

6. Canción Because your eyes are traitors I will hide from them You don't know how painful it is to look at them.

"Mother, I feel worthless, Mother."

For your great inconstancy I compare you to a coin that runs from hand to hand; which finally blurs, and, believing it false, no one accepts!

They say they don't love me and yet once they did love me "Love has been lost in the air Mother, all is lost It is lost, Mother."

3. asturiana To see whether it would console me, I drew near a green pine, To see whether it would console me.

Seeing me weep, it wept; And the pine, being green, seeing me weep, wept.

7. polo Ay! I keep a... (Ay!) I keep a... (Ay!) I keep a sorrow in my breast, I keep a sorrow in my breast Ay! that to no one will I tell.

4. Jota They say we don't love each other because they never see us talking But they only have to ask both your heart and mine.

Wretched be love, wretched, Wretched be love, wretched, Ay! And he who gave me to understand it!

Ay!

Now I bid you farewell your house and your window too and even ... your mother Farewell, my sweetheart until tomorrow.

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Wanted!

Men singers for orpheus

H

H

Our Wednesday evening rehearsals start again January 10, 2018 8 to 10 p.m.

The Georgian Room Care One at the Cupola W. 100 Ridgewood Avenue, Paramus

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

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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.

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