Orpheus Club Men's Chorus is celebrating Ron Levy's 15th anniversary as OCMC pianist/assistant conductor during the 2019-2020 season.
Our Holiday Concerts (with the theme "Stars of Wonder, Songs of Light") will be held the weekend of Dec. 14-15, 2019, at Ridgewood United Methodist Church (100 Dayton Street, Ridgewood, NJ):
◦ Saturday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. (includes "afterglow" reception)
◦ Sunday, Dec. 15 at 4 p.m.
- CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS -
The Holiday Concerts will feature the music of Praetorius, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Lauridsen, Hoagy Carmichael, Louis Armstrong, Jerry Herman, and as always, a song composed by the late Richard Lane, Orpheus' longtime pianist. Guest soloist: trombonist Bob Ferrel. Concert flier below. PDF version.
Repertoire for 2019 Holiday Concerts
Salutation: Hail, Friends of Music! - William Bentz
Processional: Deck the Hall - Traditional, lyrics by Thomas Oliphant
1. Winter Song – Frederic Bullard
O Magnum Mysterium – Morten Lauridsen
“There Shall a Star Come Out of Jacob” from Christus – Felix Mendelssohn 2. Psallite – Michael Praetorius, arr. by Russell Robinson
Silent Night - Joseph Turrin
Soul Bop – Bob Ferrel
Tenor Madness – Sonny Rollins
3. Stardust – Hoagy Carmichael
“Swinging on a Star” from Going My Way – James Van Heusen & Johnny Burke
*intermission*
4. “That Man Over There” from Here’s Love – Meredith Willson, arr. Clay Warnick
My Girl (Doo Wop) – William “Smokey” Robinson, Jr., Ronald White, arr. by Allen Billingsley
“Lost in the Stars” from Lost in the Stars – Maxwell Anderson & Kurt Weill, arr. by William Stickles
What a Wonderful World – George David Weiss & Bob Thiele, arr. by Russ Foris
5. It’s You or No One – Sammy Cahn & Jules Styne
A Child Is Born (with Bob Ferrel)
6. “Shalom” from Milk and Honey – Jerry Herman
We Three Kings of Orient Are – John H. Hopkins, Jr., arr. by John Leavitt
Wiegenlied (Lullaby) – Johannes Brahms, arr. by A. Zander
Sing Unto the Lord – Richard Lane
Other seasonal events
On Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, we performed Christmas carols in Ridgewood's Winterfest at Van Neste Square, from noon to 1:30 p.m.
On Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019, we will perform in the 40th Annual "A City Singing at Christmas" concert, under the direction of Dr. Jennifer Pascual at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City (5th Avenue, between 50th and 51st Streets). The performance begins at 7 p.m. No charge, but space is limited. For the best seats, attend the 5:30 p.m. Mass, or come as early as possible. A highlight will include the performance of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah. We will also sing O Come, All Ye Faithful, The First Nowell, Angels We Have Heard on High, O Holy Night, and Silent Night.
On Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, we performed Christmas carols in Ridgewood's Winterfest at Van Neste Square, from noon to 1:30 p.m.
On Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019, we will perform in the 40th Annual "A City Singing at Christmas" concert, under the direction of Dr. Jennifer Pascual at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City (5th Avenue, between 50th and 51st Streets). The performance begins at 7 p.m. No charge, but space is limited. For the best seats, attend the 5:30 p.m. Mass, or come as early as possible. A highlight will include the performance of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah. We will also sing O Come, All Ye Faithful, The First Nowell, Angels We Have Heard on High, O Holy Night, and Silent Night.
Orpheus Club Men's Chorus is the pre-eminent men's chorus in New Jersey. Founded in Ridgewood in 1909, it is the oldest cultural institution in Bergen County. Fifty singers strong, we continue the Orpheus tradition of delighting audiences with eclectic repertoires ranging from Bach and Beethoven to the Beach Boys and Bruno Mars.
We are a diverse and congenial group of men who share a passion to make beautiful choral music, in a wide range of genres. Our musical director, John J. Palatucci, and our pianist, Ron Levy, challenge and inspire us, upholding the tradition that we men of Orpheus enjoy our music and each other.
We have two main concert series, Spring Concerts in April, and Holiday Concerts in December. Come to our concerts and savor the magic.
We are a diverse and congenial group of men who share a passion to make beautiful choral music, in a wide range of genres. Our musical director, John J. Palatucci, and our pianist, Ron Levy, challenge and inspire us, upholding the tradition that we men of Orpheus enjoy our music and each other.
We have two main concert series, Spring Concerts in April, and Holiday Concerts in December. Come to our concerts and savor the magic.
"This program is made possible in part by a grant administered by the Bergen County Division of
Cultural & Historic Affairs from funds granted by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts."
Cultural & Historic Affairs from funds granted by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts."