County’s students converge for choral festival

Monroe hosts student singers

By: Candice Leigh Helfand
   MONROE — Students from all over Middlesex County came together in song last week for an annual night of music and friendship.
   At Monroe Township High School, the 51st Annual Middlesex County Choral Festival took place Dec. 1, and choirs from throughout the county were invited to sing for their musically inclined peers, as well as an assembly of parents and friends.
   In all, seven townships were represented — North Brunswick, New Brunswick, East Brunswick, Edison, Dunellen, Woodbridge and, of course, Monroe. The arrangements varied between a cappella pieces, songs with piano accompaniment, and an offering of chorus with orchestra from North Brunswick High School’s Honors Choir.
   Beverly Robinovitz, the MTHS choral director, was thrilled with the performances of the students.
   "It was very exciting, and wonderful," she said. "It’s always fun to see the other schools performing."
   Jamie Bunce, student teacher for North Brunswick High School’s choirs, said this type of program helps students appreciate music, and each other, more.
   "The fact that there’s an impetus to do difficult repertoire for each other, outside of a competition setting, is great for them," she said.
   The program began in 1965 and was originally held at Piscataway High School. However, there have been changes since then.
   "Early on, we used to have each chorus sing two songs, then sing several pieces together as an all-county chorus," Ms. Robinovitz said.
   Today, though, each ensemble sings three to four pieces, and combines at the end to sing Peter Ludkin’s arrangement of "The Lord Bless You and Keep You."
   Students said they enjoyed the experience.
   Ashley Bonea and Marlene Grifcha, both 16-year-old juniors at MTHS, talked about how much fun the choir was for them.
   "We like performing ‘Ne Sedi, Djemo’ the best," Marlene said.
   "It breaks down into different meters," Ashley said. "It’s really fun, and really fast."
   "Ne Sedi, Djemo," a Bosnian folksong arranged by Steven Sametz, was one of four pieces performed by the MTHS concert choir. They also sang "Kale Kalle," number two in a series Five Hebrew Love Songs, by Eric Whitacre; "In the Bleak Midwinter" by Rossetti and Higbee; and a jazzy rendition of "Jingle Bells," arranged by G. Langford.
   The students are the highlight of the program for the educators present.
   "My favorite part has to be the enthusiasm of all the kids," Ms. Robinovitz said. "It’s also nice watching the growth of other schools’ choral programs."
   Ms. Bunce said the event is great for developing the students, and their abilities to comment intelligently on the music itself.
   "You hear these kids supporting each other, and obviously they want to represent their own school too, but they all appreciate each other, and that allows them to make valuable observations about the music, and the groups themselves," she said.