May  2010

David Rosenmeyer
     David Rosenmeyer will be conducting a concert version of Carmen for the New York Lyric Opera, with Malena Dayen singing the title role on Saturday, May 8th at 8.30pm at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street. Bénédicte Jourdois will be at the piano. 
     Tickets will be $45 at the door, but discount tickets ($35) can be secured directly from David at rehearsal or from Malena (malenadayen.com).  

April  2010

Susanna Phillips
     Susanna Phillips, who most recently sang with the OSNY as our Messiah ’09 soprano soloist, has been named the recipient of the fifth annual Beverly Sills Artist Award for young American singers at the Metropolitan Opera.  Congratulations to Susanna!
Click here for more information:
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/21/beverly-sills-award-winner-is-named/ 

Hilary Maddux
     OSNY expresses sympathy to alto Hilary Maddux , whose mother, Marzone, passed away on April 14th after a brief illness. She was 97 years young and lived in her own home in New Canaan, Connecticut until the end of her life. Hilary's love of music comes in part from her mother, who herself was a professional singer who studied opera and sang popular music throughout the city in the late 30s and 40s with some of the big bands and jazz greats. She was also an accomplished painter and photographer, painting well into her eighties, and was deeply involved in arts and culture throughout her life; until recent years, she never missed an OSNY concert. Besides Hilary, Marzone leaves a daughter Brooke who lives in France and a son Compton of Nyack, NY (also a singer and performer), five grandchildren, one great granddaughter, and countless extended family members, neighbors, and friends who never believed for a moment that they would not be celebrating Marzone at 100. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her., 

Anne Maxwell
     The society offers condolences to alto Anne Maxwell.  Anne's son, Michael Keith Eward, 40, passed away on April 2, 2010 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Please visit The Grand Rapids Press to read the full obituary and sign the Guestbook.

From Brian Fisher (tenor) at Madison Square Garden:
     I know many of you already donate a substantial amount of time and money to charities across the city, but if you are interested in doing more, this is a great cause.
     Email me at brian.fisher@thegarden.com and I’ll do all the work for you. Just include the ticket package you’d like to donate and your phone number.
     I can also customize packages if you’d like. Be sure to look at the incentive program below…maybe your office would like to participate. 
     Thank you in advance.
New York Liberty Sell-A-Thon
     When is basketball more than a game? When it’s the New York Liberty at Madison Square Garden!
     The Liberty embodies the spirit of our home, New York City. We are a passionate community built on inspiration and aspiration! In that spirit, the Liberty’s goal this summer is to bring 50,000 underprivileged kids to Madison Square Garden to see a Liberty game!
     You can help us fulfill this mission by taking part in our 2nd Annual Liberty Sell-A-Thon. You help with the tickets – we’ll bring the kids!
     Tickets are priced at $10 each and are availble in packages of 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, or more tickets. 
     There are incentive programs for people or companies who purchase a large amount of tickets. The incentives include things like tickets to Knicks games, all-access passes, goody bags, meet-and greets and other great stuff. Please click here for a PDF file with all the details. 

March  2010

Karl Lauby and Alexandra Deis-Lauby 
All society members are invited to attend a memorial service for Lila Deis on Thursday, March 25, 2010, 3:00 pm. Lila, who passed away on January 7, was the wife of tenor Karl Lauby and mother of soprano Alexandra Deis-Lauby. 
     Memorial Service for Lila Deis
     Merkin Hall, 129 West 67th Street 
     Thursday, March 25, 2010
     3:00 pm
     Reception to follow immediately after the service (to end around 6:15 pm)
     RSVP by March 11 to 212-533-2429

February  2010

Ronnie Oliver 
     On Monday, February 22, at 8pm, the Westminster Chapel Choir will be performing at Carnegie Hall. OS bass Ronnie Oliver will be conducting the Men of the Chapel Choir as part of this concert. Also on the concert will be the Alderson-Broaddus College Choir and a performance of Mozart's Coronation Mass by the University of Southern Mississippi Choirs. Tickets are available through the Carnegie Hall Box Office.

Ronnie Oliver 
     Please join Simon Dratfield (Bass OSNY, Principal Flutist GVO) on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010 for an all-Russian concert of the Greenwich Village Orchestra. 
     Sunday, February 21, 2010
     3:00pm - 5:00pm
     Washington Irving Auditorium, 40 Irving Pl , New York , NY
          Gliere - Russian Sailor's Dance
          Prokofiev - Violin Concerto No. 1
               Joe Puglia, violin
          Shostakovich - Symphony No. 5
Appropriate for snowy weather!
Tickets are $15 suggested donation.
Please visit the Greenwich Village Orchestra website.

Kay Patch 
     The society mourns the death of Kay Patch, former OS singer and board member.  Kay passed away on Feb. 2, 2010.  The society offers condolences to her son Ben Patch, who is currently a member of the OS bass section. Ben fondly recalls being a member of the chorus along with his mother from 1995-1997, and also notes that Kay was with child (Ben) while performing with the OS in 1966-1967. Ben has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Oratorio Society of New York in her memory. Please click here to read the full obituary provided by Ben. 

David Rosenmeyer and Malena Dayen 
     David Rosenmeyer and his wife Malena Dayen present New Aires - Canciones Argentinas - Argentine Art Song, Folk Song and Tango. Wednesday, February 10, 2010, 7:00 pm. Consulate General of Argentina in New York, 12 West 56th Street (at 5th Avenue.) 
     The concert is FREE, but you must RSVP to rsvp@cnyor.com.   
Click the image for a larger view.

Kent Tritle 
DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS, THIS CONCERT HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO TUESDAY, FEB. 16, 2010, 8:00 PM, WITH THE PRE-CONCERT RECITAL AT 7:00 PM.
     Sacred Music in a Sacred Space.  Kent Tritle will conduct the Choir and Orchestra of St. Ignatius Loyola on Wednesday, February 10, 2010, 8:00 pm.  
     AGOSTINO STEFFANI: Stabat Mater
     JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH: Cantata No. 12: Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen
     JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH: Cantata No. 4: Christ lag in Todesbanden
          Jamet Pittman, soprano
          Michèle Eaton, soprano
          Katie Geissinger, mezzo-soprano
          Ory Brown, mezzo-soprano
          Steven Fox, tenor
          Michael Steinberger, tenor
          Peter Stewart, baritone
          Steven Hrycelak, bass
Tickets and More Info at the SMSS website. 

Chad Cygan 
     Pocket Opera of New York (co-founded by OS tenor Chad Cygan) presents 2010 Liebsnacht. Tuesday, February 16, 2010, 7:00 pm. Bechstein Piano Centre, 207 W. 58th Street, NYC. $10, tickets at the door only.
     The program includes performances by Chad, as well as Malena Dayen (see above), and OS tenor Daniel Molkentin. 
     Johannes Brahms: Liebeslieder-Walzer, op. 52
          Jenn Greene, soprano
          Malena Dayen, mezzo-soprano
          Chad Cygan, tenor
          Robert Maril, baritone
          Jean-Paul Björlin and Wei-En Hsu, piano
     Wolfgang Rihm: Das Rot
          Daniel Molkentin, tenor
          Wei-En Hsu, piano
     Johannes Brahms: Zwei Gesänge, Op. 91
          Malena Dayen, mezzo-soprano
          Audrey Ching-Yuan Chen, viola
          Dror Baitel, piano 
More info at the Pocket Opera website.

Andrew Cummings 
     Former OS member Andrew Cummings and Jennifer Greene will be performing a duo-recital this coming February 10th at (Wednesday night, 8pm) at the Park Avenue Christian Church on 85th and Park Avenue here in New York City, in collaboration with pianist Audrey Saint-Gil.  
     For more info, please visit: www.AndrewCummings.com or  www.JenniferSGreene.com. 

January  2010

Bob Schartoff 
     Former OS member Bob Schartoff has written an article entitled "How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall?  Practice...and Joining the Oratorio Society of New York".  The article is about Bob's many years as a member of the chorus.
     The article has been published in the current (January 2010) issue of the Westview News, a free monthly West Village newspaper.
     Click on the image to see a larger version of this scanned copy of the article.  You may have to zoom out to read it clearly.

Karl Lauby and Alexandra Deis-Lauby 
     The society mourns the death of Lila Deis, wife of tenor Karl Lauby and mother of soprano Alexandra Deis-Lauby, who died Thursday morning, Jan 7.  
     A celebration of her life is planned for the last week of March.  Details will be shared when available.  
     (Rather than post them here, addresses for Karl and Alexandra were sent to the chorus via e-mail.  If you missed it and would like their addresses, please contact Liz at ChorusNews@oratoriosocietyofny.org.)

Joyce Linton 
     The society is saddened to learn of the death of former member Joyce Linton.
     There will be a prayer service and wake at Dimicelli Funeral Home, 152 East 28th Street (between Third and Lexington) from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday evening, January 8, 2010.  The telephone number for Dimicelli Funeral Home is 212-683-1798.
     A Requiem Memorial Mass in the extraordinary rite will take place at St. Agnes Church, 143 East 43rd Street (between Third and Lexington) at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, January 9, 2010.  The telephone number for St. Agnes is 212-682-5722.
     Arrangements are being made for 30 days of Gregorian Masses for Joyce (total cost, $300.00).  En lieu of flowers or an independent Mass card, you might want to make a contribution to this effort by bringing a donation to the wake or Funeral Mass.      Please see Ann Morgan, who has kindly consented to collect the donations.  The website for this is www.clearcreekmonks.org.  If you make a donation using a check, please write “Clear Creek Monastery” in the addressee section and place “Joyce Mary Linton” on the memo line.  Otherwise cash donations will be accepted.  
     Please be sure to include your contact information with any donations toward the Gregorian Masses in case an excess amount is collected.

December  2009

Kent Tritle 
     Kent Tritle will be a guest on The Leonard Lopate Show on WNYC FM on Tuesday, December 22, at approximately 12:40 PM. Listen live (93.9 FM or www.wnyc.org) or check back to the Lopate show page on the web site to see if they archive the show: http://www.wnyc.org/shows/lopate/episodes/2009/12/18.   

Joe DeMerit & Karen Sweeney 
     Former members Joe & Karen welcome their second daughter, Bernadette Lucille, born Friday, December 11, 2009.
Click image for a larger view. 
 
 

Charles & Terry Tolk 
     OS members, and proud grandparents, Charles & Terry Tolk, welcome Tobias Tolk Leitch, born December 1, 2009, 8:08 am, 8lbs, 21".
Click image for a larger view.
 
 
Simon Dratfield 
     Come hear OSNY member Simon Dratfield (Greenwich Village Orchestra principal flutist and very brave little bird in Peter& the Wolf) in:
     Greenwich Village Orchestra’s Annual Family Concert
     December 13, 2009 3pm
     Washington Irving Auditorium ( Irving Pl / 16th and 17th St )
     Barbara Yahr, Conductor
     Helen-Jean Arthur, Narrator
     Kevin Lin, violin, GVO Young Artist Competition winner
     Sarasate - Zigeunerweisen
     Prokofiev - Peter and the Wolf
     and other holiday favorites!
Family Special - bring the whole family for just $10!
Visit http://www.gvo.org/ for more info.

Kathleen Flaherty 
     OS soprano Kathleen Flaherty invites you to The Christmas Concert with the Christ Church Choir on Friday, December 11, 2009, 8:00 pm.
     Under the direction of Dr. Steven Pilkington, the program includes music for Choir, Orchestra and Organ with organist Ryan Jackson, the Bell Choir, and guest soloist Jim Bobick.  Familiar and new music including an excerpt from John Adams' oratorio, El Nino.  A reception follows the concert.
     Christ Church, United Methodist
     520 Park Avenue at 60th Street
     New York City
     Tickets available in advance or at the door: $15.00 and $12.00.
     For advance tickets, call 212-838-3036
     Friday, December 11, 2009, 8:00 pm
     Click the image to see the full flyer.     

Julia Turner 
     OS alto Julia Turner and the West End Collegiate Church invite you to join our 2nd annual Community Carol Sing on Tuesday, December 8, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. You will choose which of your favorite carols and Christmas songs you want to sing, accompanied by our terrific organist Cynthia Powell. Refreshments will be served at the end of the evening. West End Collegiate Church is located at the northeast corner of West End Avenue and 77th Street. We hope to see many of you there!

Chad Cygan 
     OS member Chad Cygan will be singing as the tenor soloist and/or conducting in the Pocket Opera of New York's performances of Messiah on December 3,4 and 5, 2009.  All performances begin at 7pm. Tickets can be found here:
http://www.pocketoperany.org/2009season/page14/page14.html 
     Chad Cygan is also singing a recital of Schumann Cycles on Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 2pm. This concert features three major Schumann song cycles mixed together in a way that carries the story through all 34 songs! Tickets and location can be found here:
http://www.pocketoperany.org/2009season/page15/page15.html 
     Everyone is invited to sing along for more practice for December 14, 2009 at Carnegie Hall!

Friedrike Merck 
     OS alto Friedrike Merck has recently launched a website showcasing her sculpture studio.  Please visit www.merckstudio.com to see her work and learn more about one of our newest members. 

November 2009

Alfreda Haaland 
     OS alto Alfreda Haaland extends an invitation to the Annual Norwegian Christmas Fair, November 19-21, 2009, at the Norwegian Seamen's Church.
     The church is located at 317 East 52nd Street, between 1st and 2nd Avenues, just down the block from Turtle Bay.  Stop by the fair before rehearsal on Thursday evening or Saturday afternoon.  You'll find a great selection of Norwegian handicrafts, jewelry, ornaments, clothing and delicious Norwegian food.
     For more information, please visit www.kjerka.com, or call 212-319-0370.

Carole Swaim 
     The society offers condolences to alto Carole Swaim. Carole's one-year-old granddaughter, Maddie, passed away on Nov 10. 

Ted Stent 
     The society offers prayers and good thoughts to Jean Stent, wife of tenor Ted Stent, who underwent surgery recently. 

Kent Tritle
     Kent will conducting two upcoming concerts and you are of course invited! 
     The first is on November 11th at St Ignatius and the second is November 13th at Manhattan School of Music
     The St. Ignatius program is Purcell’s gorgeous Ode on St. Cecilia’s Day (1692) along with Handel’s “Zadok the Priest” and two stunning a cappella motets of Herbert Howells. Howells’ “Take him earth, for cherishing” was written on the death of JFK.
     Click here for the SMSS Flyer.
     Please visit the SMS Website, or call 212-288-2520 for more info.
     The MSM concert features the MSM Sinfonia (orchestra) with the MSM Symphonic Choir and Chamber Choir performing Schubert’s Mass in G and the Mozart’ Requiem. OSNY Choral Scholar baritone Daniel Schwait is featured in the MSM concert, singing baritone solos in the performance of Schubert’s Mass in G!! Tickets for that concert are available from the MSM concert office. That number is 917-493-4428. 
     Click here for the MSM Flyer.
     Please visit the MSM Website for more info.

Sandy MacDonald
     OS soprano Sandy MacDonald will be joining Coro Allegro in the world premiere of Robert Stern's "Shofar" at Harvard's Sanders Theater in Cambridge November 15, 2009 please tell any friends in the area. (A recording is planned for January.) The program also includes world-renowned baritone Sanford Sylvan performing Vaughan Williams’ "Five Mystical Songs". Details at the Color Allegro website.

Chad Cygan
     OS tenor Chad Cygan is running the Nov. 1, 2009 ING NYC Marathon in his lovely green singlet and needs to raise money for charity in the process. Join him by donating to the Team for Kids (program which he is running for) and making the bouncy miles softer on Chad! He's got to get to $2,500 by November!
Visit this website and enter his name and/or entry number: 
Visit this website, and you'll need this - here is his entry number: 425990

Jim Taratunio
     OS tenor Jim Taratunio invites you to A Fashionable Taste of New York:
          Monday, November 9th, 2009
          6:00pm – 9:30pm
          The Prince George Ballroom
          27th Street (between Fifth and Madison)
     As the President of AYUDA for the Arts, this year’s gala brings great excitement and fun for a great cause.
     An evening of Food, Fashion and Fun
     For those who are not very well acquainted with our vision and mission – we, Alliance for Young Urban Design and the Arts (AYUDA for the Arts) were created to provide educational opportunities to financially disadvantaged youth in metropolitan areas, initially New York City. 
     Joining us is Bruce Seidel, SVP programming for Food Network and Executive Producer for “Iron Chef of America” as part of our gala committee. This year will be honoring three artists we have chosen for this year’s Guiding Star Awards.
     Tina Ramirez: Founder of Ballet Hispanico
     Chef Art Smith: Celebrity Culinary Chef for Oprah and President Obama/
     Kent Tritle: Master Choir Conductor/Doctoral Professor at Juilliard/Organist - New York Philharmonic
     In addition to Chef Douglas Rodriguez who appeared on “Top Chef Masters” as well as Chef Alex Garcia, our Event Chairman, we have three chefs that are currently competing on the “Next Iron Chef” including Chef Roberto Treviño from Puerto Rico.
     There will also be thousands of dollars in auction items available.
     We hope you will join us for this delightful evening of culinary pleasures. Please go to our website www.AyudaArts.org and take advantage of the advance internet discounted ticket prices. We hope to see you there.
     And ask for me when you get there.
James J. Taratunio
President, Board of Directors
AYUDA for the Arts
www.AyudaArts.org 

October 2009

Shirley Medwick
     The society offers condolences to OS soprano Shirley Medwick.  Shirley's sister Lilian passed away in early October.

September  2009

Emily Crawford and Chad Cygan

     Congratulations to OS members Emily Crawford and Chad Cygan!  Emily and Chad were married on September 26, 2009.
Click the image for a larger view.

 

Sandy MacDonald
     Laurel Devaney, the daughter of OS soprano Sandy MacDonald, will be participating in a 300-mile Boston-to-NY bike ride to benefit the AIDS services offered by New York's LGBT Center. Should anyone wish to learn more about the ride (and perhaps contribute?), please visit her site. 

August  2009

Jennifer Rosa
     OS soprano Jennifer Rosa is the founder and producer of Music Forum and The Stoop Concert Series.  
     On Saturday, August 15, 2009, The Stoop will present Jazz Underground featuring the acclaimed Greg Tardy on saxophone with Jaimeo Brown, Joel Weiskopf, and Chris Haney. Mr. Tardy has been praised by Jazz Weekly as, "a monster tenor saxophonist."
     Doors open at 7:30pm with show time at 8pm. 417 West 57th St. (b/w 9th & 10th Aves.) - Venue Provided by Church For All Nations.  This is a free event open to the public with a suggested donation of $12 to support the efforts of Music Forum events at The Stoop. 
     For more info about The Stoop, visit  www.TheStoopNY.com. 

July  2009

Robin Ludwig
      The society offers condolences to OS alto Robin Ludwig.  Robin's mother, Blanche Ploeger, passed away last week.

Jennifer Rosa
      OS soprano Jennifer Rosa is the founder and producer of Music Forum and The Stoop Concert Series.  
     On Saturday, July 18th, Music Forum of Church For All Nations will present a concert featuring world renown, Emmy-nominated harp guitarist, John Doan in a concert featuring his original pieces as well as some classics. 
     The afternoon will be hosted by Chris MacIntosh (a.k.a. Grandfather Rock) of WCWP Radio. A pre-concert lecture will begin at 3pm with the concert following at 3:30pm. Doors open at 2:30pm. Mr. Doan’s pre-concert lecture will showcase the highly unique harp guitar as well as highlight the Christian aspects of the works to be performed. While the concert is free, Music Forum will be accepting suggested donations of $12. 
     Church For All Nations; 417 West 57th Street between 9th & 10th Avenues.  Saturday, July 18th. Doors open at 2:30pm; Pre-concert lecture at 3pm; Concert at 3:30pm.  Suggested donation $12. More info: (212) 333-5583 or www.TheStoopNY.com.

Philip Drury
     The society mourns the death of former OS member, Philip Drury.  A long-time member of the tenor section, Phil died on Friday, July 3, at the age of 88.  A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 13, 2009, at 2:00 pm, at St. Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue at 53rd Street.

June 2009

Betty Allen
     The society mourns the death of Betty Allen.  Ms. Allen, a long time member of the OSNY Board of Directors and a great advocate for music and musical education in New York, passed away on Monday, June 22.
     There are obituaries on the Harlem School of the Arts website, and the NY Times website.

Paul Zorovich
     The garden of OS bass Paul Zorovich and his wife, Karen Dixon, is famous!  At one of the OSNY Service Auctions, Paul and Karen were the winners of garden coaching services offered by Ellen Spector Platt, who is the wife of OS bass Ben Platt.  An article about their garden has been published on the Garden Bytes website.

Jane Franklin
     The society mourns the death Jane Franklin, a long-time member of the alto section.  Jane passed away on April 11, at the age of 92.
     A memorial service for Jane will be held on Friday, June 26th, 11:00 am at the 5th Avenue Presbyterian Church, in the Chapel.  (The church is located at 53rd Street and 5th Avenue.)
  

Sandy MacDonald
     Chelsea Opera presents "Suor Angelica", June 4-7, 2009, with OS soprano Sandy MacDonald as Sorella Dispensiera.
          Thursday, Friday and Saturday,
          June 4th, 5th & 6th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
          Sunday, June 7th, 2009 at 3:30 pm 
          St. Peter's Church in Chelsea 
          346 W 20th Street, NY  (btwn 8 & 9)
          Tickets General Admission: $30 advance/$40 at door
          Preferred Seating $35 advance/$45 at door 
          $20 seniors/students ($25 at door)
          Matinee Performance: $20 advance/$25 at door 
For more info, visit the Chelsea Opera website.  Click here for tickets. 

Grace Matubis
     OS soprano Grace Matubis extends the following invitation and with a link for discounted tickets.
     VitiMedia (Bringing You A Culture of Excellence) is proud to present the world-renowned University of Santo Tomas Singers in their 2009 New York City performance:
          “Unending Grace: 
          A Thanksgiving Concert on the 400th Year of UST”
          Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral 
          263 Mulberry St., NYC 10012
          Saturday, June 13, 2009
          7:00 PM. 
     Highly respected and sought-after in the international choral music scene, the UST Singers have earned a beloved global niche with their nearly two decades of impressive concerts and appearances that spanned nearly all continents.
     Please click here for discounted tickets.

May 2009

Jennifer Rosa
     OS soprano Jennifer Rosa is the founder and producer of The Stoop Concert Series.  
     Indie musicians, Jason Harrod and Sarah Lentz will co-headline a night of originals on Saturday, May 16th at The Stoop.  Scott Alarik of The Boston Globe praises Harrod saying, “What makes his songs so compelling is their emotional eloquence.” “Lentz fills up all the white space in her compositions, writing music that pours into the soul and fills it up with colors, insight, and belief,” hails Indie-Music.com.      
     Caleb Hawley, a local folk rock singer/songwriter, will kick off the evening. The event will be hosted by Chris MacIntosh (a.k.a. Grandfather Rock) of WCWP Radio. Doors open at 7:30 pm., and showtime is at 8pm. While the concert is free, The Stoop will be accepting suggested donations of $12. Receive a free gift with the full suggested cover.  The concert will take place at 417 West 57th Street (Venue provided by The Church of All Nations.)
     For more info, visit www.TheStoopNY.com, or call 212-333-5583.

April 2009

Malena Dayen
     Great News! On Sunday, May 30th, Malena Dayen, our fabulous King David witch, David Rosenmeyer's wife and fab mother of Lev, is singing CARMEN in Natchez, MS and would love to have you there with her and other OSNY members.
     So here's how to do this for about $500 for a great weekend on the Mississippi River. Leave on Friday afternoon and come home on Monday afternoon and stay in a great hotel in downtown Natchez.
     Information is on http://www.alcorn.edu/opera. 
     The Eola Hotel has 131 rooms, enough for everyone! Reservations can be made at 866-445-EOLA for about $248 for a double room for the weekend. There's a bar, restaurant and looks great. It overlooks the Mississippi River, is in downtown Natchez!
     Delta has a flight leaving at 9:55 a.m and arriving, via Atlanta, at about 1:44 p.m. and is only $246 roundtrip according to www.orbitz.com.  
     Tickets for the opera are $20, 35 or 45 per person.
     We'll put a sign up sheet for people who are planning on going, but find a roommate and book your hotel and flight ASAP. 
     Malena will be thrilled to have a local audience in Mississippi and it will be a great mini-trip to end our season!

Jane Franklin
     The society mourns the death Jane Franklin, a long-time member of the alto section.  Jane passed away on April 11, at the age of 92.

Anne Sandberg
     The society offers condolences to OS soprano Anne Sandberg.  Anne's mother passed away on April 7. 

March 2009

Anne Maxwell
     As we prepare the Bach Mass in B Monor, OS alto Anne Maxwell thought we might enjoy seeing some photos for Bach's church - Saint Thomas, Leipzig, Germany.  These are from her trip there in May of 2008.
     Click and image for a larger view.

Bronze Statue of Bach outside the church	Bronze statue of Bach outside the church	The Sanctuary
Bach's tomb	The organ	Matthias Eisenberg rehearsing
Matthias Eisenberg rehearsing	The pulpit	Stained Glass: Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
Stained Glass: Fredrick the Wise, Martin Luther, Philipp Melanchthon

Ronnie Oliver
     OS bass Ronnie Oliver will be conducting a choral concert at Christ Church on Friday, April 3, 2009, 8:00 pm.  
     Sing, Be, Live...Peace: Choral music for men, women and mixed choirs.
     More info at www.christchurchnyc.org.  Click on the image for a larger view of the concert flyer.

Simon Dratfield
     Simon Dratfield, OSNY bass and principal flutist of the Grennwich Village Orchestra, will be playing in an “All-Spanish” concert with the orchestra on Sunday, March 29th, 2009, 7:30 PM at Symphony Space, Peter Jay Sharp Theatre 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, New York, NY $15; Member, Student, Senior $10; Child $5.  Da Falla – Three Cornered Hat,  Alonso - Curro el de Lora.  The Curro el de Lora is a zarzuela, a Spanish operetta form which originated in Spain as a court entertainment in the 17th century and is still performed today. www.gvo.org. 

Ellen Davidson
     OS soprano Ellen Davidson has shared this essay, "A Contemplation on Music," which makes some important points on why we do what we do.   
     This essay was the welcome address to parents of an incoming freshman class at Boston Conservatory, given by Karl Paulnack, pianist and director of the
music division at Boston Conservatory.
     Click here to read the essay.

Daniel Molkentin
     OS tenor Daniel Molkentin and pianist Loretta Terrigno will be performing "Die schöne Müllerin" by Schubert on Saturday, March 28, 2009, 5:00 pm, at Steinway Hall (upstairs), 109 W. 57th Street, NY.  The concert is free!
     Click here to view and print the flyer.

DiAnn Pierce
     OS alto (and our librarian) DiAnn Pierce would like you to know that her 9-year-old grandson's first book is being released on April 1 in Barnes & Noble stores nationwide, in conjunction with World Autism Awareness Month. Although unable to speak due to his autism, Danson recently found his voice through the use of an alphabet board, and has begun sharing his poetry (and other thoughts) by pointing out individual letters that his mother Michele writes down for him. Michele co-wrote the book, chronicling Danson's daily life and the challenges they face together. Details about the book and about their life together can be found at www.dansonsbook.com.  
     The book is available at Amazon.com, BN.com, and Borders.com. OSNY members can obtain a copy from DiAnn for $15, which includes a $5 contribution to OSNY. Please contact DiAnn at dpierce@barnard.edu (or at rehearsal) if you would like a copy.

Jennifer Rosa
     Soprano Jennifer Rosa is the founder and producer of The Stoop Concert Series.  
     Indie musicians, John Austin and Erin Echo will headline a night of originals on Saturday, March 21st at The Stoop.  Paste Music hails John Austin and Erin Echo saying, “Austin Echo exudes intimacy with its warm acoustic sound.  The soul of each song takes precedence.”  Local fold rock singer/songwriter Andrew Rose Gregory will kick off the evening, and the event will be hosted by Chris MacIntosh (a.k.a Grandfather Rock) of WCWP Radio.  
     The concert will take place at 417 West 57th Street (Venue provided by The Church of All Nations) at 8:00 pm (doors open at 7:30 pm.)  Suggested donation $12.  Receive a free tote page with full suggested cover.
     For more info, visit www.TheStoopNY.com, or call 212-333-5583.

Brian and Marianne Percival
     OS members Brian and Marianne Percival  are performing in Ragtag: Or the Mayor's New Suit an original family musical, based on Hans Christian Andersen's "The Emperor's New Clothes." 
     Performances are at St. Luke's Church, 85 Greenway South, Forest Hills (reservations call 718-268-7772, or check out the Gingerbread Players website at www.gingerbreadplayers.org). 
     Saturday March 21, at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
     Sunday March 22, at 2:30 p.m.
     Friday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m.
     Saturday, March 28 at 2:30 p.m.
     Sunday, March 29 at 2:30 p.m.

February  2009

Mary-Jo Knight
     The Society offers condolences to OS soprano Mary-Jo Knight.  Mary-Jo's mother, Grace Keelty, passed away on Feb 5.  Services will be held on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 8, 2009, at East Sumner Congregational Church, Main Street, Sumner, ME  04220.  Donations in her memory can be made either to the OSNY or to the Congregational Church.

Kent Tritle
     Please join Kent Tritle and the Choir of the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola on Wednesday, February 11, 2009, for the US Premiere of Gavin Bryars' On Photography.  Also on the program, works by DeMonte, Ligeti, Pendericki, Rachmaninoff, Part, Lauridsen and Oldham.
     Church of St. Ignatius Loyola
     Wednesday, February 11, 2009, 8:00 pm
     Tickets $45 preferred / $35 general / $25 student & seniors (general)
     More info: http://www.smssconcerts.org/choralconcert.php?id=57 
     Article about On Photography: http://www.eamdllc.com/story.cfm?story_id=313 

Simon Dratfield
     OS Bass Simon Dratfield is the principal flutist of the Greenwich Village Orchestra.  They will be playing a concert on Sunday, February 8, 2008 at 3:00 PM at Washington Irving High (16th & Irving Place, 1 block east of Union Square). 
     The program is:
          Vanhal - Concerto for Double Bass & Orchestra, Timothy Cobb, soloist
          Sibelius - Symphony No. 5
          Sibelius  Finlandia
Tickets are $15 ($10 for seniors and students), available at the door.
For more info: http://gvo.org/ 

January 2009

David Rosenmeyer
     The Target Margin Theater presents Ten Blocks on the Camino Real, by Tennessee Williams.  The musical director is our own David Rosenmeyer.  The show runs from January 14-31, 2009 at the Ohio Theater, 66 Wooster Street.  Visit www.TargetMargin.org, or call 212-352-3101 or 866-811-4111 for more info.

Jennifer Rosa
     Soprano Jennifer Rosa is the founder and producer of The Stoop Concert Series.
     On Saturday, January 17, 2009, The Stoop will present the Boston vocal trio Maeve, with opener Brooke Campbell.  An evening of acoustic pop originals, the concert will take place at 417 West 57th Street (Venue provided by The Church of All Nations) at 8:00 pm (doors open at 7:30 pm.)  Suggested donation $12.  Receive a free tote page with full suggested cover.
     For more info, visit www.TheStoopNY.com, or call 212-333-5583. 

Joseph DeMerit
     On Friday, January 2nd at 8pm, the third annual benefit performance of “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” will be held at St. Augustine Church, 116 Sixth Avenue in Park Slope Brooklyn. Proceeds from the performance will benefit the restoration of the bell tower of the landmark Gothic Revival, High Victoria style church built in 1892. The volunteer cast includes OS tenor Joseph DeMerit (Kaspar). Suggested donations at the door are $20 General Public, $10 Students and Seniors. 

December 2008

Chad Cygan
     The Society offers condolences to OS tenor Chad Cygan.  Chad's father died on Thursday night; the funeral will be on Tuesday in Chicago. 

Alan Meltzer
     The Society offers condolences to OS bass Alan Meltzer.  Alan's mother, Jacqueline Meltzer, passed away.  Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008, at 11:30 am at Boulevard-Riverside Memorial Chapel, 1450 Broadway, Hewlett, NY.  (516-295-3100)
     The family has asked that those wishing to make donations in her memory should direct them to: Hospice By The Sea, 1431 West Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, FL 33486-3395.

Mary-Jo Knight
     OS soprano Mary-Jo Knight has work in an art show at The National Academy of Fine Arts Student Exhibit from 12/12/08 to 12/20/08.  The exhibit is at 1083 Fifth AVenue (at 89th Street.)

Helene Kirschner
     The society sends get well wishes to OS alto Helene Kirschner.  After her hip fracture over the summer, Helene has suffered a set-back and will shortly be having hip-replacement surgery.  While she's not up to taking phone calls, she'd love to get some cards and notes from the chorus.  Her address has been mailed to the chorus - if you missed it, write to Liz at ChorusNews@oratoriosocietyofny.org and she'll provide it.  

November 2008

Jennifer Rosa
     Note: This concert does conflict with our Kaddish rehearsal, but the venue is close by and the concert will go until at least 11pm, so feel free to stop in after rehearsal.
     Soprano Jennifer Rosa is the founder and producer of The Stoop Concert Series.
     Christopher Williams will headline a night of folk/acoustic on Saturday, Nov. 22 at The Stoop, a new music venue in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen. An accomplished songwriter, storyteller, and entertainer, Williams has been described as a “hard-touring singer-songwriter and a master at spreading his personal energy out into a live audience.”  Colin McGrath, a well-respected and eclectic songwriter/composer, will kick off the evening. The event will be hosted by Chris MacIntosh (aka Grandfather Rock) of WCWP Radio. 
     The performance is at 8:00 pm (doors open at 7:30), at 417 West 57th Street, between 9th and 10th Ave.  (Venue provided by Church for All Nations.)  Suggested donation $12.  Free tote bag with full admission.  Call 212-333-5583, or visit www.TheStoopNY.com for more info.
     Click here for the pdf flyer.  Click the image for a larger view.

Alfreda Haaland
     OS alto Alfreda Haaland invites you to attend the Norwegian Christmas Fair, Thursday-Saturday November 20-22, 2008, at the Norwegian Seamen's Church, 317 East 52nd Street (between 1st and 2nd Aves - just down the block from Turtle Bay.)
     Enjoy Norwegian handicrafts, wood crafts, nisser, knitwear, jewelry, Norwegian fashion items, decorations, ornaments, table cloths and much more!  Large selection of Norwegian food.  Cafeteria with Smogasbord.  (Great food!)
     Stop by before rehearsal on Thursday, or before heading over to Juilliard on Friday or Saturday.
     Thursday, 11/20: 4:00-9:00 pm
     Friday, 11/21: 12:00-8:00 pm
     Saturday, 11/22: 12:00-7:00
More info: Click here, or call 212-319-0370

Isa Loundon
     OS alto Isa Loundon has recently joined the Junior Board of a phenomenal nonprofit called Step Up Women's Network, which brings together professional women to get involved in the community. The organization has four key program areas - Professional Development, Women's Health, Teen Empowerment and Social Networking - all of which women can get involved in as little or as much as they like.
     Isa would like to invite our female Oratorio Society of New York members to attend the holiday membership event, coming up on November 18th at Mansion in West Chelsea. The event includes a cocktail party with hors d’oeuvres, a multimedia presentation on Step Up, and a keynote speech by Ann Shoket (editor-in-chief of Seventeen and frequent guest on America’s Next Top Model).
     Admission to the party is complimentary.  Please click here to register online.

Simon Dratfield
     OS Bass Simon Dratfield is the principal flutist of the Greenwich Village Orchestra.  They will be playing a concert on Sunday, November 16, 2008 at 3:00 PM at Washington Irving High (16th & Irving Place, 1 block east of Union Square). 
     The program is: 
          Saint Saens - Cello Concerto
          Dvorak - Silent Woods, Edward Arron, soloist
          Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique
Tickets are $15 ($10 for seniors and students), available at the door.

Ben Platt
     News from Ellen Spector Platt, wife of OS bass Ben Platt:
     With another writer I've just started a garden blog, 'Garden Bytes from the Big Apple'. Ellen Zachos and I share city gardening tips, visit public and private gardens, green roofs, vertical gardens, rooftops, backyards, and, secret treasures and community gardens. We¹ll explore everything from foraging to formal; in ground, in containers and indoors. If it's growing and it's in NYC.... you¹ll find it here.
     We hope you visit us, leave your comments or questions at the bottom of any story, maybe even subscribe to get updates once or twice a week. (Free of course.)
Go to: http://www.gardenbytes.com. 
Ellen has donated her Garden Coaching services twice to the OSNY auction.

Jim Taratunio
     OS Tenor Jim Taratunio is the president of AYUDA For the Arts – a non-profit organization providing scholarships to financially disadvantaged city youth who wish to pursue careers in the arts. AYUDA’s annual fundraiser, “A Fashionable Taste of New York”, will take place at Cipriani on Monday, November 10, 2008. Special discount tickets are available to OSNY members – only $100 per person. To purchase the discounted tickets, please send a note to Liz at ChorusNews@oratoriosocietyofny.org.  She will give the password and instructinos to chorus members.  For more information about the event, please see the AYUDA home page at http://www.ayudaforthearts.org. 
 
Sasha Cooke  
     Sasha Cooke, who was a third place winner in the Society’s solo competition, and has performed with us, is appearing in the Metropolitan Opera performance of “Doctor Atomic”. The Saturday, November 8, 2008, 1:00 pm performance will be simulcast to movie theaters around the country and around the globe. Sasha plays the lead female role, Kitty Openheimer. Conducted by Alan Gilbert.
For more info: 
http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/broadcast/hd_events_next.aspx 
and
http://www.fathomevents.com/details.aspx?eventid=732 

October 2008

Dennis Chung
     New member, Dennis Chung, has a friend singing with the Orchestra of St. Luke's - here is the info:
     Wednesday, November 5th at 8p
     Congregation Shearith Israel at 70th and CPW.
He will be singing four Handel arias and also on the program is Bach's 5th Brandenburg concerto, Orchestral excerpts from Jeptha and a Flute concerto by C.P.E. Bach.
     The Orchestra of St. Lukes Home Page lists the concert program, time
and ticket info. http://www.oslmusic.org/home.

DiAnn Pierce
     A special request from alto DiAnn Pierce:
     To my friends at OSNY: 
     I would like to ask your help in starting a music program in a special school where my autistic grandson is a student. Danson, who is 9 years old, is non-verbal but in the last couple of years has learned to communicate by spelling out words on a letter board. In addition to writing some very profound poetry (which will soon be published in his first book) Danson is very interested in music. As you may know, many autistic children are musically gifted, and music can be very beneficial in their treatment programs. Danson's teacher is a professional musician -- a former concert pianist turned special education teacher who has a piano in her classroom -- and they have a music therapist on staff (see http://www.celebratethechildren.org).
     As you can imagine, schools for special-needs children require a great deal of special equipment. Such schools are very expensive to run, and the parents and teachers often have to beat the bushes for the tools they need. There is no room in the budget at Celebrate the Children for musical instruments, so they are looking for donations of used (or new) instruments to start their program. 
     If you have a musical instrument that you no longer use, would you consider donating it to Celebrate the Children? If you have access to other musicians, would you make the request for us? Or if you have ideas where we might solicit a donation, would you let me know? We'll be glad to make the request, if we know where to turn. The donations would, of course, be tax deductible. Please contact me directly at dpierce@barnard.edu. Danson, his friends at Celebrate the Children, and I would be very grateful.
DiAnn Pierce

September 2008

Ellie Grasso
     The society mourns the death of former alto Ellie Grasso.  According to Ellie's son, she died peacefully in her home in Connecticut on Sep. 28, after a battle with cancer.  Ellie sang with the society for many years and frequently went on the summer trips.  She will be remembered as an elegant, fun and gracious lady.
     Please click here to read her obituary.
     A service in celebration of Ellie's life will be held at St. Ann's Episcopal Church, Shore Rd., Old Lyme, CT on Saturday, October 11, at 11:00 am.  All donations in her memory should be made to the Hartford Choral, The Oratorio Society of New York, or to Mystic Seaport.

Ylisa Kunze
     Congratulations to alto Ylisa Kunze.  Her dog Karma, won her AKC Championship at the Cape Cod Kennel Club. She is a 2 ½ year old Portuguese Water Dog whose registered name is CH. Stargazer One W’The Universe. Ylisa's family had been involved with the breed since the early 80’s but this is the first time she has had her very own champion. The photo is of Karma and her handler receiving the ribbon from the judge at the show on Sept. 11th.  (Click on the photo for a larger view.)

Carol McMillan
     Alto Carol McMillan has shared information about a job opening: Active Congregational Church (United Church of Christ) 8 miles from Manhattan seeking a part-time Director of Music.  Please click here to view a PDF file with all the details and contact information.

Emily Crawford & Chad Cygan
     Tenor Chad Cygan proposed to Soprano Emily Crawford on August 31st during a weekend trip to San Francisco. Emily and Chad met two years ago after an OSNY Rossini rehearsal and have been together ever since. They are hoping for a fall '09 wedding but right now are just enjoying being engaged and sharing their love of music every Thursday night.

Rena Ceron
     Soprano Rena Ceron is running the Marine Corps Marathon to raise money for the Alzheimer's Association!
     Please help Rena raise funds that will help those with Alzheimer's disease and their loved ones. The Alzheimer's Association is the largest non-government provider of Alzheimer's research. Your contribution is greatly appreciated!
     Please click on the link below if you would like to make a donation. Thank you in advance for your support! 
     http://alz.kintera.org/run/renakateceron

Jennifer Rosa
     Soprano Jennifer Rosa is the founder and producer of The Stoop Concert Series
     On Saturday, September 20, world renowned jazz vibraphonist Bryan Carrot will set the stage for the headlining act, the Deanna Witkowski Quartet.  It's going to be a night of stellar jazz performed by some of the city's finest live musicians.
     The performance is at 8:00 pm (doors open at 7:30), at 417 West 57th Street, between 9th and 10th Ave.  (Venue provided by Church for All Nations.)  Suggested donation $12.  Free tote bag with full admission.  Call 212-333-5583, or visit www.TheStoopNY.com for more info.
     Click here for a pdf version of the concert flyer.

August 2008

Brian Murphy
     Congratulations to OS tenor Brian Murphy on the birth of his daughter Amelia Dellinger.  Amelia was born July 30, 2008, 7 lbs. 12 oz.
     Click on the photos for larger views.
   

Mady Buchbinder
     The society offers condolences to OS soprano Mady Buchbinder.  Mady's mother passed away on August 4, 2008.

Jessica Reed
     Congratulations to OS soprano Jessica Reed on the birth of her son Eric Alexander.  Eric was born June 21, 2008, 8 lbs. 14.5 oz, 21".
     Click on the photo for a larger view.
   

July 2008

Karlyn Smith
     The society sends get well wishes to OS alto Karlyn Smith.  Karlyn has recently had hip surgery and anticipates resuming her normal activities in the fall.

Jennifer Rosa
     OS soprano Jennifer Rosa is producing a new concert series: The Stoop Concert Series. The kick-off concert is this Saturday, July 19th. (Click here for the flyer PDF.)  The show will be featuring some stellar talent. 
     Singer songwriter Reid Maclean will kick off the evening with an eclectic mix of songs blending jazz, Celtic and Nashville influences. To get a sampling of what you may hear, visit www.reidmaclean.com. Featured act, Rhett Tyler and the Early Warning are known to deliver a scorching hot set of blues, featuring Tyler's distinctive guitar playing. Rhett Tyler has been critically acclaimed by John Swenson of Rolling Stone as "a powerful front man, in the tradition of Johnny Winter [and] Jimi Hendrix. Rhett Tyler is the certain face of future blues." This is one show you will NOT want to miss! Check out more about Rhett at www.rhetttyler.com and www.myspace.com/churchforallnationsnyc.
     Jennifer Rosa, Founder, Producer: Music Forum & The Stoop 
       www.TheStoopNY.com 
     @ Church For All Nations
     417 West 57th Street
     New York, NY 10019
     (212) 333-5583
      musicforum@cfan.net  
     www.cfan.net  

Helene Kirschner
     The society sends get well wishes to OS alto Helene Kirschner.  Helene recently fractured her hip, and is currently undergoing physical rehabilitation. She should be home soon, and back on her feet in a couple of months. 

May 2008

Ben Platt
An invitation from OS bass Ben Platt:
     A very interesting opportunity just came and found me. A neighbor of mine, Albert Ahronhein, a professional music arranger and Broadway director, is working on a play called "Explicit Vows" to be presented at the off-Broadway "Flea" theater. It is a one man show about a middle aged man about to be married and reviewing his entire life and how he got to this point. The show will end with a chorus, all male, that will fill the stage completely, singing "Hard Times Come Again No More," the Stephen Foster melody dated 1854.
     Jeff Menaker, the producer, asked my help in putting together such a chorus. His goal would be to have about 20-25 voices such that not everybody would have to be at every performance. All further information will be found on the attachment.
     This sounds to me like a fun project, certainly completely different from the usual oratorio performances I've been in. I would be very happy if you would join me onstage in support of this project. Please check your calendar and let me know if you can attend. If you know of any other singers that might be interested, please forward this email to them.
     Best personal regards,
     Ben Platt  
Please click here for a PDF file with all of the rehearsal and performance dates (June and July 2008) as well as contact information for Ben.

Janet Laidman
     The society offers condolences to alto Janet Laidman.  Janet's mother, Margaret Oliver, passed away May 3, at the age of 98.

April 2008

Carole Swaim
     Congratulations to alto Carole Swaim. On April 28th, Carole welcomed her 18th grandchild - Emily Grace.

Florence Long
     Alto Florence Long is raising money for Parkinson's Research by walking with and for her friend who has this disease. It is Saturday April 26th in Central Park, and she requests anyone willing to support her in the walk to see her at rehearsal this Thursday (4/24/08). Checks can be made to "Parkinson's Unity Walk" and cash is happily accepted. Cash donations will be matched.......Thanks in advance for your consideration.

Chieko Yamaguchi
     The society offers condolences to alto Chieko Yamaguchi. Chieko's mother passed away in Japan.

Lorraine DelliCarpini and Brian Fisher
     Congratulations to OSNY couple Brian Fisher (tenor) and Lorraine DelliCarpini (alto currently on leave of absence) on their recent engagement!

Lydia Good
     A concert recommendation from Lydia Good - one of Lydia's colleagues is performing:
          Charis Chamber Voices - Scott Turkington, Artistic Director
          Love's Language: The Song of Songs
     May 3, 2008, 8pm, St. John's Catholic Church, Stamford, CT.  May 4, 2008, 4pm, Bedford Presbyterian Church, Bedford, NY.  May 9, 7:30pm, St. Agnes' Church, 143 E 43 St NYC.  $25 ($20 senior/student).  914-931-6575.  Web: CharisVocals.com
     Click here for a PDF flyer.

Marti Torn
     The society offers condolences to alto Marti Torn.  Marti's brother passed away in Maryland.

Susan Shelhart
     The society offers condolences to soprano Susan Shelhart.  Susan's father passed away on April 2, 2008.  If you would like Susan's parents' address, please write to ChorusNews@oratoriosocietyofny.org. 

Shirley Medwick
     The society offers condolences to soprano Shirley Medwick.  Shirley's son, Lonnie, passed away on April 4, 2008.  If you would like Shirley's address, please write to ChorusNews@oratoriosocietyofny.org. 

Helen Travis
     Alto Helen Travis discovered a flyer and score that add three previously unknown performances to the Society's total—856 performances in 135 years, and still counting!
The materials were found in a house that has been in Helen's family for many years. She has donated them to the Oratorio Society Archives on behalf of the Nichols/Taylor/Travis families.
     The flyer and score pertain to the three-day Ocean Grove Summer Music Festival, August 12-14, 1896. The concerts were conducted by Walter Damrosch and featured the Oratorio Society of New York, the New York Symphony Orchestra, and a chorus of 1,000 children conducted by Tallie Morgan, a leading music teacher and temperance orator. Tickets were sold through the OSNY office and cost 25¢.
     The flyer and score came from the estate of Olivia and Martin Travis (Helen’s parents) and was found in the basement of a 200-year-old house known as “The Homestead.” They were found in the cellar, in a file of old librettos, flyers, piano/cello/violin music, etc. that was compiled by Helen’s mother. As a child studying piano at the Mannes School, she heard Walter Damrosch give a children’s lecture on Wagner’s Ring, with members of the orchestra illustrating it. She wrote, “we all piled out to the auditorium during one of my lessons to listen to little Lenny Bernstein from Boston, age 11, play Clementi! I was 12." Her mother was also a member of Frank Damrosch’s People’s Chorus Union, founded in 1892 for the working people of New York City. Given the age of Helen’s documents, her grandparents were most likely also involved in Oratorio Society related activities.
     The house was purchased in 1809 by Helen’s great-grandfather, John White Treadwell Nichols, from Samuel A. Jones. It had been built by his great-uncle, Maj. Walter Jones, a descendent of Major Thomas Jones of "keeping up with the Joneses” and Jones Beach fame.

Lester Wigler
     OS Bass Lester Wigler serves on the Board of Directors of the Westchester Philharmonic and chaired the search committee which has secured the services of Itzhak Perlman as Artistic Director for their 2008-2009 Season.  For a sneak peak at what's in store, please visit the Westchester Philharmonic Website. 

Darren Lougee
     A request from OS Bass Darren Lougee:
     SEEKING ACTORS-WHO-SING
     ActorCor
          Building Bridges between Muslims, Christians and Jews
          Seven 30-Minute Concerts in Times Square
          The Actor’s Chapel @ St. Malachy’s Church
          West 49th Street, across from Spring Awakening
     May 5, 7, 10 and 11
     Monday, 8pm; Wednesday, 1pm & 7pm; Saturday 7, 8 and 10:20pm
     Sunday @ 1pm
     FREE
          Sponsored by over 50 of NYC’s Falafel Vendors
     10 hours of rehearsal
          Monday, April 14 8-10
          Monday, April 21 8-10
          Sunday, April 27 8:30-10:30
          Monday, April 28 7-9
          Sunday, May 4 7-9
     Dress Rehearsal
          Monday, May 5 5:30-6:30 8pm First Performance
     CALL DARREN @ 917-445-2816 or e-mail: ActorCor@gmail.com 
Click here for a printable flyer.  (PDF)

Kent Tritle
     An invitation from Kent:
     You are cordially invited to come to two concerts which I am conducting this month. The first, April 8^th,  is Bach’s Mass in B Minor, which we will be singing next year! Information is available on the Musica Sacra website. The second, which I am also very excited about, is on April 16^th at St. Ignatius. We are singing Szymanowski’s Stabat Mater (singing in Polish, even!) and performing Saint-Saens’ glorious Organ Symphony. For that Sacred Music in a Sacred Space concert, please visit www.smssconcerts.org or call 212-288-2520 for tickets. I hope you’ll celebrate Spring with one or both of these events!

March 2008

Kent Tritle
     An invitation from Kent:
     I invite you to come hear J.S. Bach's Jesu, Meine Freude at St Ignatius this Wednesday March 12th! Also on the program: Heinrich Schutz's German Requiem (a precursor of our Brahms!) And Buxtehude's Cantata on Jesu , Meine Freude. For tickets call 212-288-2520 or visit www.smssconcerts.org.  Nanci Parrella plays a fabulous pre-concert recital at 7 pm, for those of you who love this genre and want to immerse in the glory of it.

Hilary Maddux
     The brother of OS alto Hilary Maddux, Compton Maddux, is a finalist for the Listener's Choice Award from Country Music television.  Hilary has provided the following details:
     Dear Friends: My wonderful brother, Compton, is in the final running for the Listener's Choice Award from Country Music Television. It's a prestigious award and he is one of 15 finalists from tens of thousands of entries. The winner gets a lot of goodies -- most important of which is recognition by others of his talent. His song, The Black Violin, which he wrote and performs with great back-up, is toe-tapping and fabulous! But he needs your help to make it to the top of the charts. 
     Please click here to go to the CMT.com website and scroll down to the 9th finalist, listen to The Black Violin and then VOTE, VOTE, VOTE. YOU ARE ALLOWED TO VOTE AS OFTEN AS YOU WISH -- go figure -- so please join the masses who are lining up to hear The Black Violin. And please tell everyone you know to do the same BEFORE MARCH 8TH -- THE DEADLINE FOR VOTING. 
     No hanging chads here!
     Thanks for helping to give birth to a STAR!!!! Vote, Vote, Vote.......and then Vote again. Who needs American Idol when we have our own?

Robert Schartoff
     A request from OS bass Bob Schartoff;
     I am looking for a part-time job (2 or 3 days a week) to supplement my present financial status and to find a way to stay active and involved. 
Here is my background: 
*I am a graduate of The Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts, and continued with classes at NYU. 
*I worked as a graphic artist in both advertising and publishing eventually becoming a Creative Director (in charge of both graphics and editorial) and a Senior Vice President at Sterling Magazines. 
*I have written reviews of classical music for a now defunct on-line company. 
*I published a newsletter called "Chorale" for approximately a year. 
* I was on the board of the OSNY and did the graphics (posters, flyers, etc.) for several years. 
*I have travel far and wide (England, France, Italy, Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, Africa) and been on a couple of trips with the OSNY. My favorite country is Italy where I have been on at least a dozen occasions. I speak the Italian language to a degree. If anyone in the OSNY is interested, or knows of a position, please contact me at 718-499-1872. 

February, 2008

Chuck Hamilton
     The society mourns the death of OS bass Chuck Hamilton.  Chuck's friend and partner Reva Grossfield called to let us know that Chuck died on February 17, 2008.  Details of memorial services will be posted when available.  Chuck is survived by his two children, Kevin Hamilton and Karla Jones.  Notes of condolence may be sent to:
3850 Hudson Mannor Terrace 1B East 
Riverdale NY 10463

Richard Pace
     Richard Pace sends greetings to all.  "We have had a great vacation in Barbados, despite the fact that I slipped and fractured the arm bone just above the wrist, early this week. I am sending this posting in the hope of not having to explain why I am wearing a cast 180 times on Thursday."
     The society wishes Richard a speedy recovery and thanks him for the lovely 'postcard' from Barbados:

 

Mary-Jo Knight
     Mary-Jo Knight extends the following invitation: 
          The Roadmap to Your Retirement
     The choices you make 5-10 years before retirement can shape the entire course of your retirement lifestyle.  What are the critical decisions all pre-retirees need to make?  You and two guests are invited to create a retirement roadmap customized specifically for you.
     Mary-Jo P. Knight, Retirement Planning Specialist and Robert A. Dryzgula, VP and Regional Manager, Alliance Bernstein Investments, present a 60 minute seminar on Tuesday, February 19, 2008, 6:00 pm, at Alliance Bernstein, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10105.  Please call 212-408-9047 by February 15 to reserve.  Seating is limited.  Refreshments will be served.  Please click here for a flyer with complete details.

Pearl Shapian