A chorus open to the community based at Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, an integral part of the Crescent Concerts series heading into its 37th year of offering quality musical experiences! We perform two major concerts a year as a part of Crescent Concerts, often with full orchestra or a professional instrumental ensemble, and sometimes with our magnificent 97-rank Gilbert Adams organ.
Currently directed by the well-known Dr. Deborah Simpkin King, we will perform Haydn's Mass in Time of War in November with members of the NJ Intergenerational Orchestra, and two major works in May, a Pinkham cantata and the Rutter Gloria with Solid Brass. Contact http://crescentconcerts.org for more information.
An outgrowth of an annual benefit concert for the local hospital, the Crescent Choral Society became the cornerstone of the Crescent Concerts series, which expanded to include a Showcase for Exceptional Young Artists, a Festival of Organists and our immensely popular Yuletide by Candlelight, featuring our Crescent Singers, a select group from the Choral Society and from Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church's own Chancel Choir. CAPC has been reknowned for it's excellent music ministry since the 1930's and the Crescent Choral Society is a proud continuation of that tradition and welcomes everyone from the community at large.
The Crescent Choral Societyoffers a rare opportunity for professional and experienced amateurs to sing their beloved favorites and explore new and interesting masterworks of choral literature without an extensive commitment of time. With carefully planned rehearsals to make the best use of your talents and time, we feel comfortable in limiting our number of rehearsals to eight plus a dress rehearsal, understanding that you will do any additional preparation necessary outside of rehearsals. Post-concert receptions and gatherings add a social component to our shared experience, so if this sounds like your cup of tea, do come join us!
Additional Info for Choristers
Singers in all voice categories are welcome! First rehearsal for the first concert of the 2018-2019 Season is Monday, September 10 at 7:30 PM at Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, 716 Watchung Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060. We are performing Haydn's Mass in Time of War to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armistice of World War I with full orchestra and solo quartet. We will be joined by the elite Chorale from Westfield High School. Dues are $50, but if you subscribe to the Crescent Concerts Season, your dues are waived. Bring your own score, a limited number are available to borrow or you may purchase one at the first rehearsal. Please go to http://crescentconcerts.org/crescentchoralsociety.htm and click on Join Choral Society for our form.
Our Mission
The mission of the Crescent Choral Society is to perform major choral works from every period of music in order to present and preserve these masterpieces of choral literature for each generation. Membership in the chorus is open to any interested singer in the surrounding communities willing and able to rehearse for just eight Monday nights plus a Friday dress rehearsal for a performance on a Saturday evening. Former works from the past 36 years include the Mozart, Verdi, Brahms and Duruflé Requiems, the Bach Mass in B Minor and Magnificat, the Rossini Stabat Mater and Petite Messe Solonelle, the Mendelssohn Elijah and Hymn of Praise and the Rutter Magnificat and Gloria, to name just a few. Vigorous attention to tone quality appropriate to each work and careful dynamic interpretation are hallmarks of this chorus.