2008 UPDATE
Please excuse us for the delay in offering more current information on our website. Several factors have contributed to this; the details are unimportant, however, please be assured we are now running full speed. December 20th, 2008 will mark the second annual North Jersey Messiah sing-in at Bethlehem Church. Last year approximately 150 voices participated in the inaugural sing-in. It was a great evening, complicated somewhat by uncertain weather. Those who were able to brave the snow and ice enjoyed a fun evening of singing and fellowship.
Once again this year, students from area high schools will be singing many of the arias, and guest conductors from the area will share their musical interpretation of various choruses. As of 11/20/08 the following conductors will be participating: Bill Briggs, Doug Beavers and Bud Beavers. We are in the process of securing at least three other conductors. As they commit to the evening, we will update our site.
Due to our relatively late start on this year, we will not be able to sing with an orchestra (perhaps next year). We are again fortunate to enjoy the services of Dr. John Girvin as the piano accompanist. Soon we will be able to announce our organist.
Some participants have indicated difficulty registering on line. Our site has been modified to reflect “2008 Registration”. Again, we are asking for a nominal donation of $10, collected at the door, to offset expenses associated with the sing-in. The remainder will be given to support juvenile diabetes research.
We encourage you to sign our 2008 Guest Book (on this site). That area of our site has been most valuable in connecting various schools’ alumni, and has given others a good indication of the enjoyment that can be anticipated. Last year, the thirteen Roxbury HS alumni who were present at the first high school performance in 1972, were able to reunite, sing together again, and enjoy some social time at a local restaurant after the sing-in. Perhaps some plans for this year can be developed among the many alumni planning to attend from area high schools, including, Roxbury, Mendham, Dover, Randolph, West Morris, Morris Hills, Morris Knolls, Hackettstown, the Parsippany’s, Hanover, Whippany Park, and Newton (many part of the former Iron Area Conference).
This year we are anticipating that those singing in the December 7th (4PM) performance at the First Memorial Presbyterian Church (FMPC) in Dover will join us, in addition to the Sussex Oratorio Society, congregation members from Bethlehem, Mt. Fern Methodist, and other local churches familiar with the Messiah, as well as students from the County College of Morris. The resulting performance should be terrific! If you are interested in joining the Dover performance you must attend a mandatory rehearsal on November 30th at 3PM at the FMPC. For more information contact Kathy Burke at kathleenburke@optonline.net
We are planning to again make a CD thanks to the efforts of Gill LeDuc and Steve Curtis. Professional photographs will also be taken courtesy of Gary Van Schaick. We have approximately 200 email addresses for Roxbury Choir Alumni, and over 100 from last year’s attendees. They will all be contacted via email and reminded of the Sing-In. If you are aware of exceptional high school soloists, please have them contact us for more information. They will be expected to attend an evening rehearsal for soloists on December 17th. We are again looking forward to another exciting evening of singing!
Bud and Bill
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