The internationally acclaimed Rutgers University Chorus will kick off its holiday choral concert series in Verona at 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 4, in a return visit to the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit on Gould Street.
“Holy Spirit is delighted to host this talented group of singers with their brilliant conductors and accompanist, once again,” said the Rev. Lucy Ann Dure, the rector of the church, which is located on Gould Street across from the H.B. Whitehorne Middle School athletic fields. “Their exquisite, soulful singing readies our spirits for holiday preparations. We welcome everyone to come, enjoy and see why the critics are raving about this group!”
The Chorus recently returned from tour in Spain (video below), where the group’s “magnificent voices” were praised by newspaper Diario de Avila. The Chorus is “one of the more outstanding vocal groups in the United States,” the review noted.
The program on December 4 will include works by Andrew Carter, Louis-Nicolas Clerambault, Harold Darke, Harold Friedell, Gustav Holst, Johann Kuhnau, Camille Saint-Saens and special arrangements of Christmas carols, Hanukah songs, Hispanic folksongs and African-American spirituals, all reflecting the rich cultural diversity of Rutgers-Newark.
The Chorus has a long history, having been founded in 1947 by the noted conductor and musicologist Dr. Alfred Mann. It has an unbroken, distinguished tradition of choral singing for more than 60 years. The Chorus has made eight international concert tours and has produced five CD recordings, which will be available for purchase at the concert at Holy Spirit.
Because of the popularity of the Chorus, advance ticket purchases are suggested and may be made by calling the Holy Spirit office at 973-239-2850 or by emailing [email protected] Tickets are $10 for general admission; $25 for preferred seating and $5 for students and seniors. The concert will be professionally recorded to be included on a CD. Therefore, the Chorus respectfully asks that babies and young children not attend.
The Chorus is led by Conductor John E. Floreen and Assistant Conductor Susan McAdoo. The group is accompanied by Joseph Arndt.
The Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit is an open, welcoming and inclusive multigenerational congregation and is located across from H.B. Whitehorne Middle School at 36 Gould Street. Together, we seek to know Christ and serve Him in our community and our world.
