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ECHOES
In This Issue:
Reverent and Joyful: MCC Presents Mozart and Vaughan Williams in
March
Program Notes
International Soloists Sing with MCC
Write a Review
MCC Performs New Musical in May
Scholarship Auditions
An Invitation to Join MCC for an Elegant Evening
Meet & Greet: The Editorial Team behind ECHOES
A Beautiful Duet: Great Food & Great Music
Welcome to the “March 2008”issue of ECHOES, targeted to fans and audience of the Monmouth Civic
Chorus. Look for an issue of ECHOES in your e-mail before each of our upcoming concerts.
Reverent and Joyful: MCC Presents Mozart and Vaughan Williams
Music of transcendent beauty will fill the Count Basie Theatre when the Monmouth Civic Chorus
performs masterworks by Mozart and Vaughan Williams. Mark Shapiro will lead the chorus, soloists and
full orchestra in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s magnificent Mass in C Minor, known as the “Great” Mass,
and two eloquent works by the English Romantic master Ralph Vaughan Williams, inspired by two of the
world’s best-loved poets. Toward the Unknown Region brings Walt Whitman’s journey of the daring soul,
and Serenade to Music portrays Shakespeare’s vision of the power of harmony. The concert is at the Count
Basie Theatre, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, on Saturday, March 29 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $30 and
$25 regular, $27 and $22 for seniors, $25 and $20 for groups, $10 and $5 for students. Call (732) 9339333 for tickets and information, or visit www.monmouthcivicchorus.org.
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Program Notes
“What a picture of a better world you have given us, Mozart!” – Franz Schubert.
The world Mozart lived in was no more ideal than our own. Over the course of a year, the impetuous
27-year-old broke up with his girlfriend, eloped with her sister, angered his father, told off his boss, quit his
job, left home and ended up facing debt and snobbery in imperial Vienna. Through it all he wrote some of
the most beautiful music the world has ever heard. Music was his lifeline, his religion; church music, like
opera, served as a channel for the dramatic expression that flowed out of him.
When his personal life settled down in 1782, he vowed to write a new Mass in gratitude – perhaps
for his happy marriage, his wife’s recovery from illness, or his father’s forgiveness for his hasty wedding.
When the young couple returned to Salzburg, Mozart brought the half-finished score with him. He may have
been diverted by more lucrative projects, but in any event he never completed the piece. At the only
performance in Mozart’s lifetime, at St. Peter’s in Salzburg in 1783, the missing sections were evidently
filled in by plainsong chant or spoken prayer.
Mozart clearly had great plans for this Mass, treating each phrase of the liturgy as a movement of
its own, and writing coloratura arias to show off his wife Constanze’s agile soprano voice. He applied his
study of Handel and Bach to create intricate fugues and double chorus voicing, while the lean orchestral
textures in the arias are like an elegant glass vase with the vocal line as the bouquet. Mozart’s experience
as an opera composer led him to craft theatrically vivid music, such as the weeping violin motive beginning
the Kyrie, while his symphonic skill enabled him to make thematic use of musical materials, such as the
sweeping arpeggios that the chorus sings in the Kyrie and inverts in the Gloria.
During MCC’s performance on March 29, the surviving portions of the Mass will be interspersed
with another kind of spiritual music by the English Romantic master Ralph Vaughan Williams. The concert
will conclude with the most substantial complete movement of Mozart’s Mass: the Gloria.
"I don't think that sitting down and thinking about great things ever produces a great work of art
(at least I hope not, because I never do so.)" – Ralph Vaughan Williams
Vaughan Williams felt a deep affinity for Walt Whitman, using his poems in Dona Nobis Pacem,
performed by MCC in 1994, and A Sea Symphony, which we last performed in 2001. His setting of Toward
the Unknown Region originated as a friendly contest with Gustav Holst to see who could do the better job
with the same text. By mutual agreement, Vaughan Williams won, and the piece launched his renown as a
composer when he conducted the premiere in 1907. Whitman’s text beckons us on a journey of the daring
soul, giving voice to the hope for a better world that Americans and Britons envisioned for the new century.
After serving on the front lines in World War I, Vaughan Williams turned to more prayerful texts for a time.
Decades later, he was drawn to Shakespeare’s meditation on music from The Merchant of Venice.
It’s surprising that more composers haven’t set the same lines; perhaps it took a connoisseur of English
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folk music and hymn tunes to make iambic pentameter work in four-quarter time. Vaughan Williams
certainly succeeded. Serenade to Music was written for a celebratory concert in honor of a fellow
conductor, and first performed by a choir of 16 voices in 1938. The composer’s wife recalled seeing
Rachmaninoff, listening in the wings before playing his own Second Concerto, moved to tears at the
performance. In recognition of this year’s 50th anniversary of Vaughan Williams’ death, “here will we sit and
let the sounds of music creep in our ears.”
- Program notes prepared by Susan Metz
International Soloists Sing with Monmouth Civic Chorus
International soloists will join the Monmouth Civic Chorus and orchestra in Mozart’s magnificent
Mass in C Minor, led by Dr. Mark Shapiro. Mozart’s graceful arias, duets, trios and quartets will be sung by
sopranos Sungji Kim and Christine Reber, tenor Daniel Molkentin and bass Nathan Baer.
A native of Korea, Sungji Kim has performed leading roles in Korea, Japan, Germany, Canada and
throughout the United States. She won the Liederkranz Foundation Competition, Sembrich Voice
Scholarship Competition, German Lieder Competition and Anna Moffo Memorial Soprano Competition, and
was a finalist at the International Opera Singers Competition and the National Opera Association Vocal
Competition.
Christine Reber was born in Germany and earned three musical degrees at the University of Music
in Freiburg: Opera Singer, Voice Teacher, and Lieder and Oratorio. In 2005 she received the Achievement
Award for Artistic Excellence from the German Forum in New York. She last performed with the Monmouth
Civic Chorus in Handel’s Messiah in 2006.
Tenor Daniel Molkentin has done extensive concert work in New York, New Jersey and Boston,
performing music from the standard repertoire as well as works by living composers written especially for
him. He is a member of the Janus Duo, with guitarist Paul Smith, which is dedicated to the expansion of the
voice and guitar repertoire by finding, commissioning and performing new and unknown works.
Bass Nathan Baer was last heard with the Monmouth Civic Chorus under Mark Shapiro in Jorge
Martin’s Stronger Than Darkness and the finale of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony in March 2007.
Elsewhere, he premiered two exciting operatic roles written for him: Barabbas in Robert Samel’s Pilatus,
and Cassander in Matthew Pittsinger’s Alexander. This past fall, Nathan was chosen as one of the winners
on the Eastern District of the Metropolitan Opera National Council competition.
Write a Review
We’d love to know what you think about this concert. Why not write a review? You can send it in,
share it with your friends, and see what other listeners have to say. Visit monmouthcivicchorus.org after the
concert for this new interactive feature.
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MCC Performs New Musical in May
A new musical is coming to the Middletown Performing Arts Center, with the Monmouth Civic
Chorus production of Golden Gate. Set in San Francisco in the 1930s, Golden Gate tells the story of a
family traveling to the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge on a journey of discovery and reawakened hope.
The music of Golden Gate is a road trip from retro to pop, with sounds of the Jazz Age and 1990's
Broadway. With music by New York composer Richard Pearson Thomas and book by Joe Calarco, the show
won the Michael Stewart Musical Theater Development Award, named for the librettist of Hello, Dolly! and
Bye Bye Birdie.
The world premiere of this concert version, led by Dr. Mark Shapiro, will be performed at 3:00 and
8:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2008 at the Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church Street, Middletown, New
Jersey. Tickets are $25 regular, $22 seniors, $20 groups, $5 students. Call (732) 933-9333 or visit
www.monmouthcivicchorus.org.
MCC Announces Scholarship Auditions
The Monmouth Civic Chorus will hold its annual vocal scholarship auditions for New Jersey high
school seniors planning to pursue higher education. Auditions will be held by appointment on Saturday
afternoon, April 12, 2008 at the United Methodist Church, 247 Broad Street, Red Bank. The application
deadline is April 5.
A total of $2500 is available to be awarded to students of outstanding vocal promise. Contestants
must be prepared to perform two selections from the standard vocal repertoire (opera, operetta, art songs,
oratorio or Gilbert and Sullivan), with at least one selection in Italian, French or German. Contestants will
be judged on technique, choice of material, poise and musicianship. An accompanist will be provided if
needed. For information or an audition appointment, call 732-933-9333, visit monmouthcivicchorus.org or
e-mail [email protected].
“Over the years, the Chorus has contributed more than $50,000 to talented students throughout
the state,” said Chorus President Teri Lindstrom, Tinton Falls. Last season, First Place was awarded to
Kerilyn Acer, Matawan, who won the hearts of the audience with her performance at the June 2007
Monmouth Civic Chorus concert. Past winners include Amy Polumbo, the reigning Miss New Jersey, and
rising opera star JoEllen Miller, who will perform a benefit recital for the Chorus in the spring.
An Invitation to Join MCC for an Elegant Evening
Soprano Jo Ellen Miller will perform in recital at an elegant setting in Monmouth County to benefit
the Monmouth Civic Chorus, with Artistic Director Mark Shapiro at the piano. Limited seating is available
for this formal benefit and champagne reception. Reservations are $80 per person. The date is still being
confirmed for a week-end in May. The evening’s exquisite cuisine will once again be prepared by MCC
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member Joyce Wingerter. To request an invitation to this special event, call (732) 933-9333 or send email
to [email protected].
A former MCC Scholarship Winner and graduate of Middletown High School South (and daughter of
MCC member Pat Miller), Ms. Miller returns to Monmouth County for this recital of her favorite songs and
arias to benefit the Monmouth Civic Chorus. She last performed with MCC in November 2006, when she
sang the soprano solo in the Requiem by Gabriel Fauré and J.S. Bach’s Cantata #51, Jauchzet Gott in Allen
Landen (Praise God in All Lands). She has also joined MCC as soprano soloist in Handel’s Messiah. Equally
at home on the musical theater stage, Ms. Miller recently performed as Abigail Adams in 1776 with
Phoenix Productions at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank.
Meet & Greet: The Editorial Team behind ECHOES
Ellen Goldfarb
Home town: Freehold, NJ
Voice part: Soprano
When you joined MCC: During my senior year in high school (1972-73).
Other musical activities: I was a charter member of the Monmouth Conservatory Youth Chorus before MCC.
I sang in school choirs from grade school through college, and was a member of the Bell Labs chorus.
Real job: Systems Analyst for AT&T Labs in Middletown. Currently working on system test and
administration
Chorus jobs: Patron/Subscription Chairperson, ECHOES newsletter contributor, assistant ticket manager,
new soprano mentor
Favorite MCC moments: Singing at the PNC Bank Arts Center with Marvin Hamlisch, and with the Westfield
Symphony's Turandot performance; singing at Carnegie Hall (two different times) and at NJPAC. I really
enjoy our local performances, too, especially those with full orchestra at Count Basie - it's wonderfully
exciting!
Patti Carlisle D’Andrea
Home town: Wayside (Ocean Township, NJ) - originally from Mount Union, PA
Voice part: Soprano
When you joined MCC: 1987, when I moved to central NJ
Other musical activities: Director of Music/Organist at Redeemer Lutheran Church (for 19 years), Music
Director/Accompanist for Cabaret for Life (most recently for the 2007 Holiday Show), and Music
Director/Accompanist for the former Red Oak Music Theatre (42nd Street, Sound of Music). Currently
studying voice with Alice Berman and previously studied piano with John Balme. In high school, I attended
the PA Governor’s School for the Arts (piano) and participated in District and Regional Chorus festivals
(soprano/piano) and County, District, Regional, and State Band festivals (clarinet). I played clarinet and
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tenor saxophone in marching band and jazz band in high school and college. At AT&T Bell Labs, I was
accompanist for the Bell Labs Chorus and played clarinet in the Sinfonia. Former choral groups include the
Greater Merrimack Valley Chorale (MA) and the Mount Union Festival Chorus (PA).
Real job: Director of Business Development for Intertech Associates, an engineering firm in Freehold. I also
teach non-credit writing/marketing courses at Brookdale Community College.
Chorus jobs: Board Member (Financial Development), Patron/Subscription Co-Manager, Fundraising
Chairperson, and ECHOES newsletter contributor. Former positions include Chorus Voice Editor, Marketing
Committee member (Press Releases, group sales), accompanist (six MCC shows: Yeoman of the Guard,
Oklahoma, Mikado, The New Moon, Ruddigore, Fiddler on the Roof) and organist/accompanist for two
MESSIAH performances at Trinity Episcopal Church.
Favorite MCC moments: Participating in two MCC European tours (Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Czech
Republic, Hungary) - especially singing mass at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and the Basilica di Santa Maria
del Fiore (The Duomo) in Florence. Performing as part of a large multi-chorus group at Carnegie Hall.
Accompanying MCC's theatrical shows - and serving as the "impromptu" accompanist for last year’s
Turandot rehearsals. Weekly rehearsals (I love the process of learning the music!). Attending (and hosting)
MCC summer picnics, where we get to know each other "outside of the music." Two white water rafting trips
with MCC and a sailing vacation in the Virgin Islands with friends I met through MCC.
Sue Metz
Home town: Freehold - originally from Bayside NY
Voice part: Alto
When you joined MCC: 1984
Other musical activities: When MCC is on summer break, my husband Jerry and I enjoy singing with Mark in
Paris and dropping in on open sings around NJ. Now that Jerry is in Cantori (Mark’s other choir), I work at
the ticket table and get to meet the NYC audience.
Real job: Quality Assurance Coordinator for NJ Dept of Human Services, Office of Licensing
Chorus jobs: Board Member (Marketing), with a volunteer “staff” of 20. Past jobs: concert program editor,
alto membership rep, Virtuoso campaign co-manager
Favorite MCC moments: Singing the Verdi Requiem at the Count Basie and the Rachmaninoff Vespers at
Tower Hill. Singing on tour at St. Stephan’s Cathedral in Vienna and the Duomo in Florence. What do these
performances have in common? I burst into tears on stage as soon as the concert ended. Call me a softie.
Tim Rostad
Home town: Matawan, NJ - originally from Caldwell, NJ
Voice part: Bass
When you joined MCC: 2002
Other musical activities: Berkshire Choral Festival (2007), occasional appearance as a trombonist, singing
in the shower (daily)
Real job: Senior Website Developer for Information Security Media Group, Princeton, NJ
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Chorus jobs: Former MCC Board Member (Membership), Program Ad Graphics Coordinator, MCC Members
Website Author, Echoes Newsletter Team Member, Bass Section Representative (alternate)
Favorite MCC moments: Beethoven Mass in C Minor (2003), Verdi Requiem (2004), Bruckner Mass in F
Minor (2005), Martin's Stronger Than Darkness (2007), and most of all...singing with my wife Janet at the
2005 MCC benefit.
A Beautiful Duet : Great Food & Great Music
Enjoy these preferred Red Bank restaurants
and thank them for supporting the Monmouth Civic Chorus
2 Senza
The Galleria, 2 Bridge Ave. 732-758-0999 2Senza.com
Mediterranean fare, American Culinary Award of Excellence
Zagat 2001 Restaurant Survey Award of Distinction
Prix Fixe $30 with Ticket Stubs or mention MCC
Danny's Steakhouse • Seafood • Sushi Bar
11 Bridge Ave. (across from the Galleria) 732-741-6900
Specializing in Aged Steaks, Fresh Seafood, Pasta & Sushi Bar
Full Service Catering Available
Murphy Style Grill
26 Broad St. 732-530-6659 murphysgrill.com
Eclectic American grill
“Excellent food and drink and lots of laughs with friends” Asbury Park Press
Osteria Dante
91 Broad St. 732-530-0602 osteriadante.net
“One of the 10 best Italian restaurants in New Jersey” New Jersey Monthly
“Excellent” New York Times *** Asbury Park Press
3 course Prix Fixe $25 with Ticket Stubs
Teak Restaurant
64 Monmouth St. 732-747-5775 teakrestaurant.com
A fashionable pan-Asian restaurant with a full Asian cuisine menu
“A new sensation in Red Bank … lushly layered, sumptuously attired, multi-faceted restaurant with dining
spaces, a boudoir of a lounge, drinks and sushi bar” Asbury Park Press
The Bistro at Red Bank
14 Broad St. 732-530-5553 thebistroatredbank.com
World cuisine, sushi bar, brick oven
“A range of dishes that spans continents
The Brothers Restaurant
188 West Front St. 732-530-3356
Famous homemade thin-crust pizza, Italian specialties
Bar and cocktails, Jimmy T’s homemade Sangria
Fun and friendly atmosphere
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We hope you’ve enjoyed the “March 2008” issue of The Monmouth Civic Chorus’ ECHOES!
We welcome your comments, suggestions, and ideas for the future.
Send comments or questions to: [email protected]
Send address changes or unsubscribe requests: [email protected]
Monmouth Civic Chorus
P.O.Box 16, Red Bank, NJ 07701
732-933-9333
[email protected]
www.monmouthcivicchorus.org
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