News and Notices

The Jefferson Township Community Chorus is about to launch its new season with exciting music and a creative and enthusiastic new director!  It’s a great time to come join the group.

With the opening of the Fall 2010 season, the Jefferson Arts Committee is thrilled to present their new director, Cherwyn Ambuter, M.M. from the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati.  She also directs the a cappella group Zephyr Vocal Ensemble and serves as choral accompanist at the NJ Conservatory. Cherwyn is a warm and engaging person who has experience on “both sides of the baton” and knows what singers need and enjoy to sing their best and to have a wonderful time making delightful music.  Assistant Director/Accompanist Margaret Brandell, B.M, will continue in her role with the chorus.

The Chorus’ winter concert scheduled for Sunday afternoon, December 5, 2010 is entitled “The Heavens at the Holidays” and will feature music referring to visions in the heavens either long ago at the first Christmas, the vision young children hope to see with Santa’s sleigh, or the snowfall in winter. Reaching into the lovely Oxford Book of Carols, they will be singing some beautiful a cappella music from hundreds of years ago, all the way up to some rockin’ music with “An Elvis Christmas” and the romantic “Dancing in the Snow.”

In addition to the group’s winter concert, they will perform in 2011 in a spring concert and also in the spring, a collaborative concert together with the Jefferson Township Community Band, Community Jazz Band, and the Jefferson Community Players.  They are also planning to sing at the 25th anniversary celebration of Jefferson Township Day next summer.  The JTCC is a very community-oriented chorus in a community that takes pride in its extensive musical participation and activities.

Singers in all parts are welcomed and basses are especially needed. No audition is necessary, just come and enjoy.  You are welcome to come to a couple of rehearsals to see what you think. There is a great camaraderie here; and odds are you’ll find the Chorus members and the environment infectious! Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings from 7:30-9:00PM, starting September 7th at the Jefferson Township Middle School, 1010 Weldon Road, Oak Ridge (Morris County), New Jersey.   For information call 973-697-6659.

Come lift your voice with the Jefferson Township Community Chorus and its exciting new director and season!  

The Covington Catholic High School Chamber Choir stepped into a recording studio in May under stressful circumstances.

At a time when many were preparing for final exams and graduation, they began recording an album to memorialize their friend, Maria Schaffstein, the 17-year-old Notre Dame Academy student killed in a car crash in April.

Within weeks, they completed “To Where You Are,” an album of 12 songs, including the songs played at Schaffstein’s funeral and covers from artists such as Josh Groban and Billy Joel.

This fall, Boston area choirs can compete for a chance to sing at the Citi Performing Arts CenterSM Wang Theatre, prior to a performance of America’s favorite holiday show, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, starring the world famous Radio City Rockettes, through the Community Choir Competition.

Beginning September 10, videos of the participating choirs can be uploaded online at the Citi Performing Arts Center website (citicenter.org), where fans can vote for their favorites through October 10. Then, five finalist choirs will duke it out in an acapella sing-off for a panel of judges at the Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre on Monday, October 18. The grand prize winner will perform onstage at the Citi Performing Arts Wang Theatre on Friday, December 3, prior to the opening night performance of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Runner up choirs will have the opportunity to perform on alternate dates during the engagement, which runs through December 29. All choirs competing will receive special ticket benefits.

Their performance of Claudio Monteverdi’s “Vespers of the Blessed Virgin,” was at No. 3 on the iTuneschart Tuesday and the album was recently featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered.”