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Rejoice In The Lamb: A Benjamin Britten Celebration

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w w w . r i s e u p c h o r u s . o r gFrom theArtistic DirectorDear patrons of Rise Up Chorus,Welcome to the opening concert of our second season! For those that are new to Rise Up Chorus, welcome to our community. For those who have been with us before, welcome back! You are always welcome.When planning out the concerts for this season, the first thing that we thought about was how to use performance venues in an authentic, meaningful way. When building Rise Up Chorus, we wanted our members and patrons to have unique, authentic experiences that capture the imaginations of the performer and listener alike. So, we began our concert venue hunt.We had such an incredible experience last year at Christ Church in New Brunswick that we knew we wanted to produce another concert in this beautiful, sacred space. Immediately, I knew that the music would need to be of a more classical nature, and I wanted to make sure we featured the magnificent, one-of-a-kind Richards, Fowkes & Co. pipe organ, especially considering the level of organ artistry that we have in our resident accompanist, Thomas DeLessio. With my love for Benjamin Britten, I remembered hearing that this year celebrates the 75th anniversary of Britten’s composition “Rejoice in the Lamb” which was composed for chorus and solos, with organ accompaniment. I confirmed that the piece was composed in 1943, exactly 75 years ago. This festival cantata, as Britten called it, is a magnificent work that is full of challenges for the chorus, soloists, and accompanists. I highly encourage you to read the full set of Program Notes from our very own Rise Up Chorus member, Eric Schwarz. It was settled; this concert would be a celebration of the incredible musical output of Benjamin Britten. A fabulous way to kick-off our second season!Going forward, I knew that I wanted to combine with Playhouse 22 in East Brunswick. Our Board member and Events Manager, Angela Dohl, is also a Board member with Playhouse 22, and she frequently performs in and produces shows there. With Playhouse 22 as a venue, it only made sense to pay tribute to the music that would grace the stage with a full theatrical performance which is being written just for this event! We’re calling it “Behind the Curtain,” and it’s a retrospective on the Broadway life of a former stagehand to a grandchild. There will be plenty of laughing, dreaming, and toe-tapping in this great one-of-a-kind production. This production will have two showings at Playhouse 22 in East Brunswick on Saturday, February 23 and Sunday, February 24.

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w w w . r i s e u p c h o r u s . o r gOur venue for the final concert of the season needed to be different -- it needed to be unique. I wanted to find a venue that wasn’t your typical concert space. No church, auditorium, or arts center would do for this concert. I also wanted something that was truly American that celebrated those who built our country with hard work and respect. After months of searching and visiting potential venues, we finally stepped onto the campus of the Willow Schoolin Gladstone and into their magnificent Barn. When you walk into this space, everything -- the look of the ceiling and the smell of the wooden support beams -- screamed Americana. And, with that, we will host “An Evening of American Composers” on Sunday, June 2.And, of course, every one of our concerts includes YOU, the audience and patrons of Rise Up Chorus. We always include the audience in our concerts because Rise Up Chorus is more than just rehearsals and concerts. We are about community. It is our community that makes us special, and, as patrons of Rise Up Chorus, you are part of our community. Since singing is what brings us together, we ask that you join us in song in every single one of our performances. For a few moments, you become more than just listeners of music; you become makers of the music.We are grateful to our hosts at Christ Church, Playhouse 22, and the Willow School. They are now among the ranks of our community, as are you -- our audience. Welcome to our community. I think you’re going to like it here.Matthew J. LaPineArtistic DirectorCOME AND SING WITH US!Rise Up Chorus' next session begins Friday, January 4, 2019All are welcome, no auditions necessary!For information and to sign up email or call: mlapine@riseupchorus.org  732-662-4469Saturday, February 23, 2019 8:00 pmSunday, February 24, 2019 3:00 pm“Behind The Curtain”Playhouse 22East Brunswick, NJJOIN US AT OUR NEXT PERFORMANCERise Up Chorus Board MembersChris M. Bishop -Board PresidentThomas DeLessio - Board AdministratorAngela Dohl - Events ManagerJessica LaPine - Director of Social ProgramsMatthewJ. LaPine - Founder & Artistic DirectorKathleen Spadafino - Director of Education& OutreachThomas Thomas - Treasurer

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Much effort by many people has been required to get us to this day, and there are so many to thank for bringing this event to fruition. On the occasion of this concert, only our fourth since our formation, we extend our heartfelt gratitude…w w w . r i s e u p c h o r u s . o r gTo Christ Church in the City of New Brunswick for working with us to provide such abeautiful setting for our second concert at this venue. To Father Zelley and the staff of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Metuchen for allowingus access to sorely needed and much appreciated rehearsal space. Their belief in ourmission and trust in us has laid the groundwork for a brilliant and hopefully lastingcollaboration between their faith community and the community at large. To our Chorus Members, both adults and youths, for their time in practicing andpresenting the music we will share today. Whether with Rise Up Chorus since thebeginning or newly joining this session, their efforts are acknowledged and very muchappreciated.  To our Donors for their generous financial support towards this second year for Rise UpChorus. It is difficult to adequately express how much we appreciate their creativeapproaches and personal sacrifices towards funding all that we do. These contributions,and those that we hope will come following your example, are essential to thecommunities we serve. To my fellow Board Members and Committee Members for the support theyvolunteered for Rise Up Chorus from their time and talents for these many prior monthsof planning, refining and fund-raising for the organization. Special thanks to Angela Dohlfor her creativity and hard work in preparing this program booklet. Without all thesetalented indivduals, we would have been unable to bring this organization forward for thebenefit of its members, the community, and those we will serve over the coming years. To our Founders and Music Professionals for their vision, and selfless contributions ofartistic and technical talent. Matthew LaPine, Jessica LaPine, and Thomas DeLessio calledthis organization together from their vision, and they, together with Youth ChorusDirector, Mary McGuire, help us to see all that is possible through music. Rise Up Chorus would simply not exist without the contributions, dedication and trust ofall those mentioned. We are so very grateful that we are on this journey together with you!With sincere appreciation to all,Chris M. BishopPresident, Board of TrusteesRise Up Chorus Inc.

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Rise Up Chorus is made possible by the generosity of the following donors:Jean MeyersMaryann McGuireAlexis MonacoThe Morace Family FoundationWeng PinedaBob PublikShelley & Steven RohanAlan RogersBarbara & Robert SandermanKaren SiegelTrish & Bryon SmithShirley SmoyakKathleen & Michael SpadafinoMargie & Thomas ThomasThrivent FinancialMelissa TiceRebecca WeisbergBeth WilsonAnne & John WrightAnonymousIsabel BadilloNancy BelfordJane & Robert BerrySuzanne & Chris BishopLaura BogertCarol & Glenn BrinksB.J. CamireStephen CaputoO'Neil CassellsJack ClaypotchMike ConroyTina CorserTina Kush CrepezziKathy & Chris DaltonJoann DanielsDottie DargisChristine & Thomas DeLessioNancy DuddyGJ Flannery Donald GibsonSusan HamiltonDeborah Herman &   Jeffrey SteinhornSusana HernandezCheryl HicksKristina HornSusan JankiewiczStanislav JaraczAndy Kennedy-SiebertSusan KingsleyDavid KirpanTed & Norma KleinJessica & Matthew LaPineLinda LaPineChris LeslieDiana LuntAmy MalzoneDiane MansmannKaren Meyer MarkleyDISCOUNTED DINING AFTER THE CONCERTRise Up Chorus appreciates your attendance at today’s concert, as well as your support throughout the year. In appreciation, we have negotiated a discount for you this evening at the following restaurants. Bring your program or ticket to receive the discount and enjoy.BLACKTHORN RESTAURANT & IRISH PUB61 Church St.New Brunswick, NJOLD MAN RAFFERTY’S106 Albany St.New Brunswick, NJDonations to Rise Up Chorus can be made directly at our website www.riseupchorus.org or by mail to:Rise Up ChorusPO Box 4335Metuchen, NJ 08840Rise Up Chorus is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -

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A Benjamin Britten CelebrationRejoice in the LambMatthewJ. LaPine,Adult ChorusdirectorMary McGuire, Youth Chorus directorThomas DeLessio,organ and pianoMargery Fitts,harp w w w . r i s e u p c h o r u s . o r gSelections from Friday Afternoons (1933-1935)1. Begon Dull Care3. Coocoo5. A New Year Carol6. I Mun be Married8. Fishing Song12. Old Abram Brown O Waly, Waly (1947) Soldier Won't You Marry Me (1936) Salley Gardens (1943) Oliver Cromwell (1940) A Ceremony of Carols (1942)Please hold your applause until the completion of the entire work.Rejoice In The Lamb (1943)Greensleeves (1941) A Boy Was Born (1932) Festival Te Deum (1944) AdultChorusYouthChorusAdultChorusYouthChorus

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PROGRAM NOTES

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Gustavo AmaralNoble AvellinoIsabel BadilloMaria BalboaCarol BaldiNancy BelfordMarcelo Benalcazar-RoblesNancy BernheimerTom BishChris BishopSuzanne BishopNorma CaballeroMachiko CaputoStephen CaputoAlison ChaplinMary Jane ConnollyNancy ConroySherri DamocciAnita DaughertyKenneth DengLynne DengAngela DohlChris DominguezShauna EvansFord FosterShari GarretsonMichael GuidoSusan HamiltonJack HicksSusanna JamisonSusan KingsleyTerry KohlVal KostycLogan LaudenslagerJoan MastMary McGuire Maryann McGuireJean MeyersWendy MilazzoDanielle MiyagishimaBeth MoronyMary Jo PaulmennCarolyn PetoskyJo Ann PollEmily PresutoFlorence RuvoloLuisa SchoepfMickey SeppiKaren SiegelVanessa SilvaShirley SmoyakKathy SpadafinoKathy StaegerAnton YudinMildred OgariSarah OgariNikul MalooRobert PagliaKanisha ShivDillen AlenSophia DimayugaJakub JaraczMartina JaraczovaAnna LeonYouth Chorus MembersAdult Chorus MembersTaylor KurilewJessica LaPineLogan LaudenslagerMary McGuireGabrielle San RomanJessica Stanislawczykw w w . r i s e u p c h o r u s . o r g

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GreensleevesO Waly, Waly

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