CHORUS ANNOUNCES 2 SHOWS TO END YEAR
By Sarah L. Sullivan
Asbury Park Press, NJ
Nov 15 2006
The Monmouth Civic Chorus is rehearsing to perform its program,
"4 Trumpets and a Chorus," which will feature the U.S. premiere of
Henri Busser’s "Domremy Mass."
This recently unearthed piece by the French composer features the
rare accompaniment of four trumpets commemorating the parish church
of Domremy, France, where Joan of Arc is celebrated. Interspersed
throughout the work are descriptive thematic readings from the text
of her trial, and the chorus will sing the Mass.
This nonprofit organization comprising 120 adults, 95 of whom are
performance artists, includes many who are classically trained.
"This group has really achieved artistically a very high level," said
Artistic Director and Conductor Mark Shapiro. "It’s quite celebrated
in New Jersey for what it has done in terms of its repertoire and
the quality of its performances."
Since its inception in 1949, the chorus has had seven European Tours
as well as performances at Carnegie Hall in New York and at the New
Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark with the New Jersey Symphony
to name a few.
"It is wonderful that this ensemble embraces people ranging in age
from seniors in high school to well in their 80s who contribute not
just their spirit but real talent," Shapiro said.
The program also will include an unusual piece by an Armenian composer,
Arzas Voskanyan, that pays tribute to an Armenian battle from about
the same millennium as the Busser segment.
"It is an eerie piece with wailing trumpets and a brilliant finish,"
Shapiro said.
Although the chorus and Shapiro have never performed Gabriel Faure’s
Requiem together before, they are pleased to do so now. This portion of
the concert will feature soprano Jo Ellen Miller as a guest soloist.
Miller’s credits include performances at Tanglewood in Massachusetts
and being featured with the Sarasota Opera in Florida.
The chorus is funded with membership dues, varying levels of
sponsorships, and grants and ticket sales. Its operation is almost
entirely self-contained, said board member Susan Metz, with its
members managing it much like a business that performs about four
shows per year.
Mary Donnelly Pacheco, 75, past president and board member, has been
involved in one way or another for 37 years.
"Even though some members have moved away, they pay their dues and
keep in touch because it is like a family," she said.
A member since 1980, Gerald Metz, 58, explained that although he
is retired now, "I had a job which I needed to earn money, but this
is what I live for – this is what life is really for – the arts and
expressing yourself and being with others who express themselves."
In December, the Monmouth Civic Chorus will present Handel’s Messiah
at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, along with Christmas Pops
Around the World. Additionally, subsets from the chorus can be hired
to sing carols at various locations including home, office or community
settings such as senior homes and tree-lighting ceremonies.
For more information, call (732) 933-9333 or visit