Vernon Reed
Vernon Reed (front row, fifth from left) at the St. Patrick's Cathedral concert "A City Singing at Christmas," on Dec. 19, 2019.
Vernon Reed
- Town: Wanaque, NJ
- Singing part: Tenor 1
- How did you first hear about Orpheus, and what drew you to it? “I had just moved to New Jersey in a new job. Dick Scott, a volunteer with the organization I was working for, heard me express interest in singing with a choral group. Anyone that knew Dick Scott knows that was not a comment that would go unnoticed. He invited me to a rehearsal in 2005 and I've been with Orpheus ever since.”
- How long have you been singing with Orpheus, and how long in general? “I've been singing with Orpheus since the December concert in 2005. I have been singing since I was 10.”
- Can you share a memory or experience with Orpheus? “I have had a lot of excellent memories with Orpheus. It's hard to nail it down to just one, but singing in the Doo Wop group for the first time as the lead singer for ‘Under the Boardwalk’ was one, as everyone knew that song and sang along.”
- Can you explain what you do as a leader of Orpheus, and what you have gained from it? “As the President of Orpheus for the last two years, I have learned just what a great organization Orpheus is beyond being a choral undertaking. All not-for-profit groups need people willing to do other activities to make the organization a great enterprise. We have volunteers within the group that are willing to fund-raise, act as treasurer, provide publicity, haul and set up chairs, build floats for parades, and really do anything that makes Orpheus the fine organization it is. I also have a great appreciation for the talent of our Musical Director and Accompanist, without whom we would not be the thriving organization we are today.”
- Can you share a favorite choral song? “Because I am a fan of 99% of music genres it is very hard to pick a choral work that I would consider a favorite, but I like ‘Go Not Far From Me, O God,’ because five of my nine brothers and sisters were in high school choir and we have sung it as a family for more than 50 years.”
- How does music help you through tough times? “Music is not just good for the soul in tough times (funerals and sickness). It also adds to one's joy in happy times (parades and graduations), and one's happiness in times of romance (weddings).”
Published in November 2020