The West Village Chorale and Sky-Pony
Grace Goodman, photo
October is here, and with it comes the first of many performances this year. My first performance of the season was with the West Village Chorale, who were invited to perform as part of the Park Avenue Armory Gala, an annual fundraiser for the Armory’s artistic and educational programming, and one at which Michael Bloomberg happened to be the guest of honor. We sang “backup” for two numbers, one by the fabulous indie-rock band Sky-Pony (lead by lead singer Lauren Worsham) and one by the legend herself, Ms. Patti LuPone. You can see some more pictures here, including one of a few of us singing the end of “Blow, Gabriel, Blow” with Ms. LuPone. It was a feast for the eyes and ears, for sure!
Maya Ben-Meir
Next, on Sunday, October 9 at 2 pm, mezzo-soprano Maya Ben-Meir and I will be offering a free recital of American art song at Grace Church Van Vorst in Jersey City. The recital includes songs by Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber, Gian Carlo Menotti, and me, as well as some more “popular” favorites. A free will offering will benefit Cathedral Arts Live, the performing series I co-founded at Grace.
And last but certainly not least, on Oct. 15 and 17 I will be conducting Amuse Singers for “Wholy Holy, the first concert of our 2016-2017 season. This beautiful program features sacred music by Dufay, Dunstable, Palestrina, Byrd, Morales, and Victoria alongside contemporary works by Pärt, Tavener, Orbán, Eben, McDowell, and the Missa in A of Miklós Kocsár. I am so excited to be conducting this fabulous ensemble – the music is absolutely radiant, and the singers bring such passion and dedication to their craft. You don’t want to miss it! (Check out a sneak peek of the Victoria Duo seraphim below)
Colin Britt 
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