By Mary Ann Bourbeau
RED BANK – Holiday traditions are what help make the season bright. One of those area traditions is the Monmouth Civic Chorus’ performance of Handel’s “Messiah,” which the group first sang in 1951. The concert will take place at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Count Basie Theatre.
“It’s our most popular concert of the year,” said Matt Izzo, president of the Monmouth Civic Chorus. “The “Messiah” is very theatrical. It’s an inspirational story regardless of your faith and beliefs.”
This year, the chorus will sing the Christmas portion of Handel’s “Messiah” with soloists and a chamber orchestra. After a brief intermission, the show will continue with holiday carols.
“Over the years, we’ve found out what our audience seems to like the most,” Izzo said. “A large portion of the audience wants to hear the Messiah year after year. But who doesn’t like heartwarming Christmas carols?”
Formed in 1949, the Monmouth Civic Chorus currently has about 100 volunteer singers ranging from their early 20s into their 80s. They come from all different backgrounds, and many have been professionally trained.
“The quality of musicians we get is really quite high,” said Izzo, a tenor in the chorus since 1987. “It’s a rigorous program but it’s also a great place to learn and to hone your craft as a singer. Each rehearsal is like a vocal training lesson.”
The chorus has performed all over the world, in venues that include Carnegie Hall and St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna and St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican in Rome. This summer, the members will head to Ireland for a nine-day tour.
“We’ve sung in some awe-inspiring places,” Izzo said. “Singing in Europe is especially wonderful because the audience is so warm and eager to hear choral music from elsewhere in the world.”
Though they enjoy traveling, a highlight each year for the chorus is singing at the Basie.
“It’s a quintessential, classic American theater,” Izzo said. “It’s a beautiful place with wonderful acoustics, and it has a feel to it that is perfect for a holiday concert. It supports a large audience and a large orchestra, which we have for the “Messiah.’ ”
The members enjoy being in the chorus so much that they often stay for decades.
“There is quite a sense of community and family belonging for such a diverse group,” Izzo said. “The fact that people join young and stay for so long is a real testament to the level of camaraderie.”
The singers and the board of directors are all volunteers. The orchestra and soloists are paid, as is the artistic director, Ryan Brandau, who came on board three years ago. Brandau received a Bachelor of Arts degree in music, magna cum laude, from Princeton University, and received Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees from Yale School of Music. In addition to leading the Monmouth Civic Chorus, he serves as artistic director of Princeton Pro Musica. He is also on the faculty of Westminster Choir College, where he works with the Symphonic Choir.
“Ryan has been a breath of fresh air,” Izzo said. “Our previous conductor was highly accomplished and we were concerned how we would follow him up. After a rigorous search, we found Ryan. His ability to hone the sound of the group is amazing. He has added layers of nuance, sensitivity and intonation that is better than we ever had before. We think the world of him.”
The Monmouth Civic Chorus holds weekly rehearsals at the Red Bank Charter School. The nonprofit organization, which offers scholarships to an area high school student each year, raises money by collecting membership dues, hosting fundraisers and benefit concerts and applying for grants. This year, the chorus has released a CD entitled “A Merry Little MCC Christmas,” which features Brandau’s new arrangements of holiday favorites, including “Silent Night,” “Deck the Halls” and “O Holy Night.”
“We’re very proud of the CD,” Izzo said. “ ‘Ave Maria’ is a stunning choral piece.”
CDs are $15 plus shipping, and must be ordered by Dec. 15 for Christmas delivery. Concert tickets range from $5 to $45. For more information, call 732-933-9333 or visit www.monmouthcivicchorus.org.
Vibe writer Mary Ann Bourbeau can be reached at mbourbeau@tworivertimes.com.
