The Arcadian Chorale
A Passion to Sing!
Founded 1992
MARINA ALEXANDER
MUSICAL & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
FALL 2022 -- "Let There Be Light!"
Music celebrating the wonders of creation, with excerpts from Bach's Christmas Oratorio, Haydn's Creation, and
Mendelssohn's Elijah --- contrasted with contemporary works by Ola Gjeilo, Joan Szymko, and Elizabeth Alexander.
Plus music for Hanukkah, and a community carol sing.
FALL 2018 -- "Sound the Trumpet!"
Works for Chorus and Brass featuring
Gordon Thornett's Gloria, Gerhard Nowetzel's Psalm 24 (U.S. Premiere),
Pinkham's Alleluia, Tell the Tidings (N.J. Premiere), Alexander's Gabriel from Heaven Came, and Michael Pisani's arrangement of O Come, All Ye Faithful (World Premiere)
Here are some of our recent programs.
FALL 2023 -- "Infinite Majesty!"
Music celebrating the divine, featuring Karl Jenkins' exuberant Te Deum, and in contrast, a setting of that same text by Johann Albrechstberger, one of Beethoven's teachers.
Plus Gorecki's magnificent Lobgesang, Mendelssohn's
"He Watching Over Israel," contemporary works, and songs of the season.
FALL 2021 -- "Glorious Dawn"
A renewal of joy! Three concerts sung LIVE in NYC and NJ,
featuring Vivaldi's Gloria,
contemporary works by Karl Jenkins and Dan Forrest,
plus traditional holiday carols.
SEPT. 2022 - "American Spirit!"
SPECIAL PERFORMANCE of music by American composers,
including Ives, Billings, and Bernstein, plus patriotic selections,
in commemoration of Sept. 11.
Spring 2022 - "Musical Passport"
Music from a wide variety of cultures and traditions!
Australia, Ireland, Korea, Israel, Kenya, Japan,
Spain, Greece, Wales, China, India, and the Ukraine.
Spring 2023 - "A Passion to Sing!"
30th Anniversary Celebration
A very special concert featuring the World Premiere
of three new English Singing Translations by
Marina Alexander: Brahms' Neue Liebeslieder, Op. 65,
Dvorak's Moravian Folk Songs, Op. 20, and Rheinberger's
The Mermaid, Op. 21. Plus music of Elgar, Schubert,
Elaine Hagenberg, and James Mulholland. ......
followed by a gala reception!
SPRING 2019 -- "Love, Love, Love!"
Love Songs from the Victorian era through the represent day
Amy Beach's Ah, Love but a Day!, Brahms' beautiful Op. 31 quartets,
stunning new works by James Mulholland and David Childs,
plus songs by Carol King, the Mamas and Papas, and the Beatles!
FALL 2019 -- "Cheer, Cheer, Cheerio! A British Christmas"
Handel's "Dettingen" Te Deum, HWV 283
Contemporary anthems by English composers, including Britten, Archer , and Matthias
with holiday favorites and a community carol sing
SPRING 2021 -- "The Great American Choral Songbook"
A celebration of American composers and poets, with music from the US folk tradition,
choral classics, new repertory, and Broadway favorites!
Sung LIVE, with a live audience.
FALL 2020 -- "Song of Comfort & Joy"
A very special program, sung LIVE and
live streamed via YouTube
featuring contemporary holiday selections,
excerpts from Handel's Messiah,
a celebration of Hanukkah, and traditional holiday carols.
The concert begins at the 28:00 mark.
SPRING 2018 -- "This Shining Night !"
25th Anniversary Gala Concert
The program included lyrical works by Morten Lauridsen, Kim Andre Arnesen, and Ola Gjeilo; playful pieces like Richard Hundley's Moonlight Watermelon; a "Greek suite" featuring the Syrtaki from "Zorba the Greek"; and choral versions of Ravels' Bolero and Rossini's William Tell Overture!
The many individuals who have dedicated themselves to the benefit of the Chorale over those 25 years were honored at the gala reception which followed.
The Arcadian Chorale has been recognized for its innovative approach to choral programming, which often includes works that have either been revived or rediscovered by our Musical Director, Marina Alexander.
Many times, she hascreated new editions of pieces, both in their original languages and with new English singing translations, which have been presented at the Chorale's concerts as world premieres. The group has also presented premieres of works by other composers, and revivals of rarely heard masterworks.