2021

“Songs We Love to Sing: A Choral Festival” was a virtual event on May 23, featuring the music of:

Hopewell Valley Chorus (Dr. Heather Mitchell, Artistic Director).
Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus (John J. Palatucci, Music Director).
Sharim v’Sharot: People of Song (Dr. Elayne Robinson Grossman, Music Director).

The concert included Orpheus’ new recording of Brothers, Sing On!, preceded, in the same video, by the chorus’ signature song, Salutation (Hail, Friends of Music).
It also featured two of Orpheus’ previous recordings:

How Can I Keep From Singing? (from 2015).
“The Prayer” from Lohengrin, featuring soloist Edward J. Brouillard (bass) (from 2012).

The concert ended with Let There Be Peace on Earth, sung by all three choruses. Free-will donations from the concert garnered approximately $400 for each of the three organizations.

Our video performance of "McNamara's Band" was released on St. Patrick's Day 2021 (March 17).

Our special guest is piccolo player Patty Lazzara.

Many Irish Americans are familiar with the song "MacNamara's Band" (also known as "McNamara's Band"), with music by Shamus O'Connor and lyrics by John J. Stamford. The jovial song was inspired by four Limerick brothers who founded a prize-winning band before immigrating to the United States and recording for a number of labels.