Embedded Files
Please silence all cellphones and electronic devices prior to the start of the concert.
Thank You.
With gratitude to the Reformed Church of Highland Park for the rehearsal and performance space.
Saturday's concert is being recorded by Vincent Troyani of VTX Studios.
VTX Studios
Highland Park
Act I
Act I
A Gaelic Blessing, 1978
A Gaelic Blessing, 1978
by John Rutter, b. 1945
words by William Sharp
Sim Shalom, 1953
Sim Shalom, 1953
by Max Janowski, 1912-1991
Soloist: Jody Velloso
Sung in Hebrew
Grant Peace, goodness and blessing, grace, kindness and mercy,
to us and to all your people Israel.
Bless us, our Father, all of us together, through the light of your presence.
Truly through the light of your presence, Adonai our God,
you gave us a Torah of life -
the love of kindness, justice and blessing, mercy, life, and peace.
May you see fit to bless your people Israel
at all times, at every hour, with your peace.
Blessed are you, Adonai, source of peace.
Lord, Make Us Instruments of thy Peace, 1975
Lord, Make Us Instruments of thy Peace, 1975
by David A. Gerig, b. 1948
Dedicated to the National Evangelical Church Choir of Kuwait
River in Judea, 1989
River in Judea, 1989
Lyrics by Linda Marcus
Music by Jack Feldman, b. 1940
arr. by John Leavitt, b. 1956
Soloists: Amy Vames, Joanna Greenwood
Deep River, 2005
Deep River, 2005
Traditional spiritual
arr. Adriano Secco
And I Saw A New Heaven, 1928
And I Saw A New Heaven, 1928
by Edgar L. Bainton, 1880-1956
Let There Be Peace on Earth, 1955; arr. 2001
Let There Be Peace on Earth, 1955; arr. 2001
Words and Music by Sy Miller, 1908-1971, and Jill Jackson, 1913-1995
arr. by Mark Hayes, b. 1953
Intermission
Intermission
Act II: Oratorio de Noël, 1858
Act II: Oratorio de Noël, 1858
by Camille Saint-Saëns, 1835-1921
Kindly hold applause until the end of the Oratorio
I. Praeludium
I. Praeludium
II.A Et Pastores Erant
II.A Et Pastores Erant
Soloists: Anthony Daino, Tanisha Anderson, Jody Velloso, Samuel Fujii
Sung in Latin
There were shepherds, at night in that same country, abiding in the fields,
and silently keeping their watch by night over the sleeping flocks around them.
and lo! an angel of the Lord appeared standing there beside them:
And the glory of the Lord shone round about them,
And they were sore afraid at his coming.
And unto them the angel said:
Fear not, oh ye shepherds, fear not oh ye shepherds!
For, behold I bring unto you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born today a savior Christ, the Lord, in the city of David.
And this shall the sign be: ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger low.
And suddenly there was with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host praising God, praising God, and saying;
II.B Gloria in Altissimis Deo
II.B Gloria in Altissimis Deo
Sung in Latin
Glory be unto God in the highest!
And on Earth peace, goodwill to all men.
Praise the Lord! Praise God in the highest, praise the Lord our God.
And on Earth peace, goodwill to all men.
III. Expectans, Expectavi
III. Expectans, Expectavi
Soloist: Tanisha Anderson
Sung in Latin
Patiently, patiently have I waited for the Lord,
patiently, patiently, patiently have I waited fo the Lord.
And lo! He heard my cry.
IV. Domine, Ego Credidi
IV. Domine, Ego Credidi
Soloist: Anthony Daino
Sung in Latin
In my heart I believe, O Lord, that thou indeed art Christ, son of the living God.
He who was to come into this world.
V. Benedictus
V. Benedictus
Soloists: Jody Velloso, Samuel Fujii
Sung in Latin
Blessed, blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord.
God, the Lord of Light, he hath shined upon us.
Thou alone my God art: and all my trust is in thee.
Oh Lord! Thou art my God, I will exalt thee, Lord I will exalt thee and praise thy name.
VI. Quare Fremuerunt Gentes?
VI. Quare Fremuerunt Gentes?
Sung in Latin
Wherefore do the heathen clamor?
Why do the nations imagine vain and foolish things?
Glory, glory, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and Holy Spirit!
As it was in the beginning, is and eve shall be,
World without end. Amen.
VII. Tecum Pincipium
VII. Tecum Pincipium
Soloists: Anthony Daino, Jody Velloso, Samuel Fujii
Sung in Latin
My soul doth magnify the Lord.
My spirit hath rejoiced in God.
For mine eyes have seen they glory.
VIII. Alleluia
VIII. Alleluia
Soloists: Tanisha Anderson
Sung in Latin
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Ye heavens sing praises, be joyful on earth.
For the Lord hath poured his consolation upon his people,
and He to His afflicted will be merciful.
Ye heavens sing praises,
For the Lord hath comforted his people,
and He to all that are afflicted will be merciful.
IX. Consurge, Filia Sion!
IX. Consurge, Filia Sion!
Soloists: Anthony Daino, Jody Velloso, Maria Balboa, Tanisha Anderson, Samuel Fujii
Sung in Latin
Arise now, daughter of Zion!
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Praise God, praise God in the night!
Praise Him in the first watches of the nighttime.
Alleluia!
That Zion's true glory might be manifested,
that her Savior might rise and shine befoe the nations.
Alleluia!
X. Tolite Hostias
X. Tolite Hostias
Sung in Latin
Prase ye the Lord of hosts,
Sing his salvation, bless His name,
show forth his praise in His holy house!
Rejoice, ye heavens and be joyful, on earth,
rejoice in the face of the Lord, for he cometh
Alleluia.
Rejoice, ye angels rejoice all ye nations,
now in the face of the Lord, for He cometh. Alleluia.
Holiday Sing-Along!
Holiday Sing-Along!
Let It Snow!, 1945
Jule Styne, 1905-1994, and Sammy Cahn, 1913-1993
Lyrics:
Oh, the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we’ve no place to go,
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow
It doesn’t show signs of stopping
And I brought some corn for popping;
The lights are turned way down low,
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow
When we finally kiss good night
How I’ll hate going out in the storm;
But if you’ll really hold me tight
All the way home I’ll be warm.
The fire is slowly dying
And, my dear, we’re still good-byeing
But as long as you love me so,
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah, 1912
Mordkhe Rivesman, 1868-1924
Lyrics:
Hanukkah oh Hanukkah, come light the menorah
Let’s have a party, we’ll all dance the hora
Gather ‘round the table, we’ll give you a treat
Sivivon* to play with and latkes to eat.
And while we are playing, the candles are burning low
Chorus (2x)
One for each night
They shed a sweet light
To remind us of days long ago
Hanukkah oh Hanukkah, a time to remember
A joyful jolly holiday that comes in December
Ev’ry day for eight days our dreidels will spin
Crispy little latkes so tasty and thin
And nightly, so brightly, the candles of Hanukkah glow
(chorus)
*sivivon—Hebrew for dreidel
Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, 1840
Felix Mendelssohn, 1809-1847
Lyrics:
Hark! The herald angels sing, glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled:
Joyful all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies
With th’ angelic host proclaim Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark! The herald angels sing, glory to the newborn King.
Christ, by highest heav’n adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord
Late in time behold Him come, offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, hail th’ incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing, glory to the newborn King.
Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings, risen with healing in His wings;
Mild He lays His glory by—born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing, glory to the newborn King.
Reception to follow Act II in the Social Hall
Notes about our program from director Shea Velloso
Notes about our program from director Shea Velloso
For this semester’s program I chose the theme of Heavenly Peace. Though this title comes from the text of the Christmas Carol Silent Night, I believe it to be universally encouraging and thought-provoking, at this time of the year and at other times. Though some of the pieces are written with Christmas in mind, many of them are centered around the themes of peace to all and heaven on earth; sentiments which do not belong to any one religion, country, or culture.
John Rutter is arguably the most well-known living English composer of choral music. Though he is known the world over for his tuneful Christmas carols, tonight’s opening selection is his setting of the Gaelic Blessing, not to be confused with the more familiar Irish Blessing. In a noisy and fast-paced world, this text calls listeners to step out of their loud and busy lives, that they might be still and feel the peace of the water, air, earth, and stars of night.
Max Janowski was a composer of Jewish liturgical music who, for most of his career, served as music director at a congregation in Chicago. The son of a choir director and opera singer parents, Janowski lived a musical life from a young age. One of his most famous choral works is Sim Shalom. This call to the almighty for peace, goodness, blessing, grace, loving kindness, and mercy offers a stark stylistic contrast to Rutter’s quiet offering. This setting starts quietly with long, legato lines, but crescendos and grows in intensity, ending in a soaring and dramatic conclusion.
Lord, Make Us Instruments of Thy Peace is the first line in the famous Prayer of Saint Francis. Francis of Assisi was an Italian friar known for renouncing his wealthy upbringing, embracing poverty, serving others, and having a deep reverence for nature. His famous prayer addresses many of the world’s problems and asks God to help the reciter of the prayer to bring about the change the world needs; to turn discord to unity, to replace doubt with faith, and to banish sadness and bring about joy. This meaningful prayer, though Christian in origin, is filled with hope for all humanity; a hope that transcends barriers and division and calls for the unity of all people. This poignant setting was written by the American composer David Gerig, who spent much of his career as a conductor, educator, and fine arts administrator at Eastern New Mexico University.
River in Judea is a stirring gospel-style song, overflowing with various metaphors. The themes of spiritual cleansing, hope, and the search for peace are woven into the fabric of this peace. The song uses the river as a metaphor for life’s journey, for cleansing and salvation, and bringing about hope and unity for all humanity.
Of all the spirituals Deep River is among the most well-known and was popularized by Harry Burleigh in his 1916 collection Jubilee Songs of the USA. The rich harmonies of this setting complement well the themes of hope and longing for peace both in the present day and in the life after death.
Edgar Bainton was a British-born composer. His library of compositions is wide and varied, though many of his works remain largely unknown. He is most well-known for his dramatic and moving choral anthem And I Saw a New Heaven. Filled with drama, poignancy, and wonderful text painting, this magnificent work describes a time when the world in its present form ceases to exist. Heaven and earth become one. Strife, sadness, and pain are gone from humanity forever.
The first half of our program ends with the well-known call for unity Let There Be Peace On Earth. It calls upon the listener to realize that peace begins with every individual, that we are all brothers and sisters and that, if we want to make a change for good in the world, we must be the change. This sensitive setting by Mark Hayes begins tenderly and grows throughout, ending with a grand conclusion in 8-part harmony.
Camille Saint-Saëns was a French composer, organist, and pianist. A musical prodigy, Saint-Saëns made his concert debut at ten years old. He studied at the Paris Conservatoire and then had a relatively conventional career as a church organist for twenty years. After leaving his church music post he was in high demand as a pianist and composer. His Oratorio de Noël was written while he was serving at the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene. It was written in under two weeks and completed ten days before its premiere on Christmas of 1858. Though it is an oratorio in the sense that it is a narrative of the birth of Jesus, its structure and length more closely resemble that of a cantata. This is likely because it was intended for use during a religious service and was not written as a concert work. While there are moments of grandeur in the solo parts and several dramatic sections for the chorus, most of the work is subdued and lyrical in character. Saint-Saëns' study of the choral music of Bach, Handel, Mozart, Berlioz, and others had a major influence on the work.
In gratitude to our donors
In gratitude to our donors
Benefactors ($100 or more)
Olga and Andrey Bakin
The Beetham Family
Thomas Blankinship
Lori Covey and James Nichols
Steve and Amanda Decker
Judith Johnston and Bruce Bush
Eileen O’Donnell and Bruce Kaplan
Joe Stahley
Amy and John Vames
Allan and Joanne Williams
Anonymous (4)
Patrons ($50 to $99)
In memory of Maria Oswald Bivainis
Campbell-Locke Family
Elin Diamond and Robert Lowe
Art Erickson
Fritz’s Restaurant
The Hidalgo Family
The Rev. Paul Keene and Dr. Corey Clapp
Iris and Coco Kurtz
Connie and John Webster
Anonymous (1)
Friends ($25 to $49)
Trish Benning
Anonymous (1)
The Artists
The Artists
Music Director Shea Velloso
Music Director Shea Velloso
Soprano
Katie Cullinan*
Amanda Decker
Francesca Giannetti
Joanna Greenwood
Samantha Fortunato
Barbara Heller
Lia Macirowski
Allison Martynovych
Jody Velloso
Alto
Tanisha Anderson
Maria Bakina
Maria Balboa
Trish Benning
Anita Brinker
Charlene Glascock
Rebecca Johnson
Cherilyn Kurtz
Eileen O'Donnell
Kamara Russo
Amanda Shahady
Eileen Silverstein
Grazina Strolia*
Amy Vames*
Joanne Williams*
Tenor
Barbara Cooper
Gwen Greenberg
Frederick Irwin
Marcia Olander
Joseph Stahley
Mark Strawn
David Tulloch
Richard Weidmann
Bass
Ross Bradshaw
Kurt Disney
Samuel Fujii
Stephen Greenwood
Nicholas Schott
Connor Talty
Will Vining*
Organ
Daniel Romero
*Board member
Shea Velloso is an organist and church musician from central New Jersey. He is a graduate of Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in organ performance. Shea’s teachers have included Antonius Bittmann, Mark Trautman, and Paul Hoffman. He has pursued post-graduation studies with critically acclaimed organists Paul-Martin Maki and Gordon Turk. In 2004, Shea was the recipient of The Elizabeth W. Durham Award for Excellence in Performance. He has performed recitals throughout the tri-state area and New England, most recently in Rutland, VT, and in Cape May, NJ. He has appeared in concert on the national public radio show “Pipedreams” and on Metuchen Television.
Shea is the minister of music at Faith Lutheran Church in New Providence, NJ, where he directs three choirs, coordinates the concert series, and is working on a choral scholarship program to help high school and undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing a career in church music.
Shea previously served as director of music at United Methodist Church at Milltown and at the Presbyterian Church of Jamesburg. He is also a past dean of the American Guild of Organists.
Shea is thrilled to be the new director of the Highland Park Community Chorus.
In addition to his work, Shea enjoys composing choral music, woodworking, gardening, baking, and cooking. He lives with his wife and two daughters in Jamesburg, where he is in the process of restoring their Victorian-era home.
The Highland Park Community Chorus (HPCC) is a secular chorus composed of adults of all ages and all walks of life. It has been in existence steadily since 1986 and is open to residents of Highland Park as well as surrounding communities. Informally, chorus members participate in community events and, more formally and traditionally, the chorus performs twice a year in concert. The chorus rehearses weekly on Monday evenings and always welcomes new members. Please contact us to join or to be notified of upcoming concerts!
Email: hpcchor@aol.com
Website: www.hpchorus.org
Future Events
Future Events
Highland Park Community Chorus Spring Concert 2026
Highland Park Community Chorus Spring Concert 2026
Dates: May 1 & 2
Time: 8pm
Location: Sanctuary of the Reformed Church of Highland Park (19 S. 2nd Ave, Highland Park NJ 08904)
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