Varsity Choral Society presents 28th annual holiday concert

The Island Now
Varsity Choral Society will host its 28th annual holiday concert on Dec. 17. (Photo courtesy of Red Horowitz)

Celebrating another year of classical choral performances, the Varsity Choral Society will proudly present its 28th annual holiday concert on Dec. 17 at 4 p.m. at the Congregational Church of Manhasset.

Led by director Craig S. Tocher and accompanied by an orchestra comprised of strings and organ, Varsity Choral Society will perform the “Jubelmesse”, also known as the “Missa sancta No. 2” written by Carl Maria von Weber (Op. 76, J. 251). 

Soloists will be Jason Hendrix of the Metropolitan Opera, April Lindevald, formerly of the New York City Opera, Molly Davey, a former soloist with the Congregational Church of Manhasset, and Robert Horowitz, a soloist with the Congregational Church of Manhasset. 

“Veni Domini” also will be performed by Lindevald, “O Holy Night” will be sung by Horowitz, “Mary Did You Know” will be performed by Dr. Joseph D’Angelo, “In the Bleak Midwinter” will be presented by Maravell, and a trio will be given by Nancy Morris, Lynne Stebbins and Jan Richardson. 

The afternoon will conclude with a traditional audience sing-along of holiday favorites which will be preceded by the always humorous and different thoughts expressed by Dr. Clyde Locke concerning “hasty pudding.”

Varsity Choral Society’s membership consists of both professional and amateur vocalists from Port Washington, Manhasset and the greater Town of North Hempstead. Every year, the choir embraces performing ambitious programs and has built a faithful audience; its concerts regularly attract over 300 people.

“Our members have such diverse backgrounds and careers,” said Horowitz, who founded Varsity Choral Society in 1989. “But what’s kept us going strong for 28 years is shared love of fine choral music. Our audience is as devoted as we are, and that makes every concert a real celebration.”

Varsity Choral Society is the specialized choral division within Play Troupe, Inc.  It was originally formed to honor Jerald B. Stone, a choral director at Paul D. Schreiber High School in Port Washington, who led a school ensemble named The Varsity Choir and later served as Varsity Choral Society’s first director. Stone inspired his students to pursue excellence in music and forge long-lasting collaborations — a legacy now carried forward by Tocher and the current ensemble.

Tickets to the Annual Holiday Concert are $20 and will be available at the door on the day of the performance. The Congregational Church of Manhasset is located at 1845 Northern Blvd., Manhasset, 11030.

For more information or to become an individual or corporate sponsor, email redhorowitz@gmail.com. Tax-deductible donations are accepted (made out to Varsity Choral Society) at 87 Hilltop Drive, Manhasset, New York 11030.

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