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Brothers, Sing On! from the virtual concert, "Songs We Love to Sing: A Choral Festival."
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Joint Concert Features New and Classic Recordings by Orpheus and Choral Partners
“Songs We Love to Sing: A Choral Festival” was a virtual event on May 23, featuring the music of:
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Hopewell Valley Chorus (Dr. Heather Mitchell, Artistic Director).
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Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus (John J. Palatucci, Music Director).
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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:
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.
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Let There Be Peace on Earth
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From the Podium
Hail, friends of music!
On Wednesday evening, March 11, 2020, the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus held its last in-person rehearsal. We had just enjoyed a very exciting 2019 Fall and December holiday season of music-making, including our gala concerts with guest trombonist Bob Ferrell and culminating with an appearance at the 40th annual “A City Sings at Christmas” at NYC’s Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. We were preparing to celebrate our inimitable pianist and assistant conductor Ron Levy’s 15th anniversary with us as well as my 30th year as OCMC music director.
The OCMC’s leadership heeded the warnings of some singing members to the growing dangers of the novel Covid-19 virus. During our normal rehearsal break, the club discussed leadership’s proposed decision. With great reluctance, it was decided to take the difficult but ultimately only correct path of common sense and safety to suspend face-to-face operation. Frankly, we were among the first of the greater Bergen County music groups to make this hard decision.
I am ever proud of the OCMC’s “can-do” spirit but never more than that night. Among the comments was one from second tenor Jim Matthews, who succinctly uplifted all when he stated: “This group survived the Spanish Flu. We’ll get through this!” That’s Orpheus!
During the ensuing year, led by president Vernon Reed, the OCMC has not stopped operation despite the onslaught of Covid-19. Hopefully, you have enjoyed one of our performances such as our in-person appearance at the Welcome Back, Ridgewood celebration in September 2020 or one of our many videos (all featured on our YouTube channel, except for the first one, which is linked separately):
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The King of Love, My Shepherd Is for the Ocean Grove Virtual Choir Project
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America the Beautiful for Veterans Day 2020 and Memorial Day 2021.
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Ma’oz Tsur/Rock of Ages for the first night of Hanukkah.
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Two choruses from Messiah for the National Chorale’s Messiah Sing-In at Lincoln Center: “Lift up your heads, o ye gates” and “Let all the angels of God worship Him.”
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Lo, how a rose e’er blooming, premiered during the Advent season.
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Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town for Christmas Eve.
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A December compilation presentation that also included two solo selections by Ron Levy.
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McNamara’s Band for Saint Patrick’s Day.
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Brothers, Sing On!
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Let There Be Peace on Earth with the Hopewell Valley Chorus and Sharim v’Sharot in the joint concert “Songs We Love to Sing.”
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You’ll Never Walk Alone (still to come) in honor of all our graduates.
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In addition, our year has included these highlights:
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With Lou Fucito, PowerPoint presentation to the Ridgewood Hobbyists on the history of male choral singing. To be repeated in the fall.
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2020 American Prize finalist in two categories: community chorus and American music.
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ArtsBergen’s The Daily Arts Dose campaign finalist.
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My interview with Eric Chemi for his Bizwood podcast.
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Fundraising, including a Bergen County Arts Award secured through the efforts of Trustees Board chairman Bob Husband.
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Our second annual meeting, held virtually on May 26 (pictured above).
We’re coming through the pandemic with all the energy and musical artistry for which we are known! Plans are underway for a September resumption of rehearsals in preparation for at least one live gala holiday concert in December.
We will be looking forward to having YOU take part this fall with us as the OCMC continues its traditions of music making, camaraderie, and service. Thank you for your continued support and especially to the singing men of the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus!
We sing as one!
John J. Palatucci, music director
THE ORPHEUS CLUB MEN'S CHORUS of Ridgewood, NJ
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From the Keyboard
 It is profoundly gratifying to be a member of an arts organization that continues to prevail during historic challenging times like these.
Having read through the minutes of Orpheus meetings that took place during the Spanish Flu and the two World Wars (not to mention those of Korea and Vietnam), I am struck by the zeal and determination of Orpheus men, past and present, to weather the storms and sally forth singing. It is a source of great personal inspiration and pride.
May we all look forward to the fast-approaching day when we can be together once again, with relief, joy, and a renewed sense of gratitude for the precious gift of shared music making.
Your accomplice
Ron
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Orpheus Honors Two Student Musicians with Scholarships
 Alisa Berenshtein, a virtuoso violinist whose love of music runs in the family, has been named as the 2021 winner of the Roland L. Meyer Scholarship Award by Orpheus. Ms. Berenshtein, of River Vale, New Jersey is a 2020 graduate of Pascack Valley High School. (She graduated in three years.)
“I fell in love with music before I even picked up the violin,” she wrote in her scholarship application. “Both my mother and grandfather are professional violinists from Russia, and I grew up listening to them play and rehearse. I now follow in their footsteps and begin my own journey as a musician.”
Read more about Ms. Berenshtein.
 Tenor vocalist Emanuel Singletary, an actor in musical theater and a singer of classical music, has been named as the 2021 recipient of the Harriet & Edward Levy Memorial Scholarship Award, administered by Orpheus.
He began listening to classical singers a couple of years ago. Mr. Singletary wrote: “I wanted to become an opera singer as my career, but in the long run I wanted to be a performer that could change the world and influence it with my voice. I want to be able to express emotion through the art of music.”
Mr. Singletary is graduating from Hackensack High School this June, and will study vocal performance at Shenandoah University. Read more about Mr. Singletary.
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Bizwood Podcast Interviews Palatucci
 Eric Chemi's The Bizwood Podcast shines a spotlight on Ridgewood and Bergen County businesses.
On his April 26 podcast, Chemi interviewed John Palatucci, Orpheus' Music Director. Palatucci and Chemi talk about how the pandemic has forced Orpheus to change its approach.
Palatucci shares what makes the organization unique after 100+ years, and gives podcast listeners a short but exclusive vocal performance.
Listen to the podcast (50 minutes).
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Member Profiles: A Tale of Two Bobs
In our latest member profiles, meet Bob Husband (pictured above, left) and Robert F. Silvera (above right), two tenor 1 singers who talk of the club’s sense of community.
Husband: "There is a great camaraderie in the group with guys of multiple ages and levels of experience sharing a common love of music and dedicated to serving the community."
Silvera: “Singing with the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus has been such a wonderful experience. It has been with me since before I was married and continues to be part of my support system to this day."
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- Amazon will contribute one-half percent of the price of whatever you purchase when you use this link.
- TD Bank will make a donation to Orpheus for each checking or savings account held by Orpheus supporters (at no cost to the customer). Complete details.
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Newsletter editor: Eric Schwarz
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