The Hudson Valley ChoraleOur Beginning

Summer 2005

The Choral’s genesis came in the summer of 2005 when Dr. Herbert Gardner, Artistic Director of The Rockland String Ensemble, invited Constance Chase to prepare an ad hoc chorus to perform Mozart’s Te Deum with the orchestra in its summer festival performance. The call for singers went out and a rewarding experience and fine performance resulted. The singers expressed strong interest in becoming a permanent new chorus, but it was not yet to be. The group reunited, larger and stronger than before, in the summer of 2007 when they again performed as The Ensemble Singers with the Rockland String Ensemble, once again prepared by Constance Chase and performing under the direction of Dr. Herbert Gardner. This time the momentum was right: a steering committee was formed, the group incorporated and the Hudson Valley Chorale was born. Dedicated to the advancement of choral music through a program of biannual concerts, the group intended to focus its repertoire on works that showcase the choral art.

Our Concert SpacesJanuary 2008 St. Francis of Assisi Church

128 Parrot Road West Nyack, NY

June 2008 First Reformed Church

South Broadway & Burd Street Nyack, NY

January 2009 Nauraushaun Presbyterian Church

51 Sickletown Road Pearl River, NY

June 2009 – Present Dominican Convent

175 Route 340 Sparkill, NY

Our DirectorsConstance Chase September 2007 – June 2008

Dr. Jason Thoms September 2008 – June 2011

Dr. Jason C. Tramm September 2011 - Present

This is Dr. Jason C. Tramm’s second season with the Hudson Valley Chorale. Featured in Symphony Magazine’s 2012 Issue of Emerging Artists and hailed as a conductor to watch, Dr. Tramm is recognized as one of the most dynamic young conductors on the podium today. Maestro Tramm was recently appointed as the Artistic Director/Principal Conductor of the Mid Atlantic Opera,

where he will conduct their inaugural performance in September of 2013. From 2008-2012 he served as Artistic Director of the New Jersey State Opera, succeeding his mentor, Alfredo Silipigni. Maestro Tramm’s high definition broadcast of Verdi’s Requiem (2010) garnered a regional Emmy Award nomination. Dr. Tramm also serves as the Director of Choral Activities at Seton Hall University and is the Director of Music in Residence of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association in the summer months. Here, he leads choral, orchestral, and oratorio performances in the 6500 seat historic Great Auditorium. Maestro Tramm has conducted on two National Public Radio broadcasts with organ virtuoso, Gordon Turk and large orchestra. He is also actively sought as a clinician and regularly presents lectures. In 2003, he joined the ranks of Metropolitan Opera Stars Renee Fleming and Stephanie Blythe in being honored with the Rising Star Award from the SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association. A frequent guest conductor, Maestro Tramm has led operatic and symphonic performances in Italy, Romania and Albania. Upcoming guest conducting engagements include; the Szeged Symphony (Hungary), Annapolis Chamber Choir and orchestra, Ocean Grove Choir Festival, and the Summer Stars Festival Orchestra (Ocean Grove).

Our Accompanists

Vaughan Mauren September 2010 – June 2011

Jessica Arnold September 2011 – June 2012

Melissa Martiros September 2012 – Present

Our ConcertsPremiere Season

January 20, 2008 – Hail, Glorious Spirits!

June 6, 2008 – An American Season

Hail Glorious Spirits, Heirs of Light – Christopher Tye (1500 – 1573)If Ye Love Me – Thomas Tallis (1505 – 1585)Hallelujah, Amen (Judas Maccabeus) – G. F. Handel (1685 – 1759)Ave Verum Corpus – W. A. Mozart (1756 – 1791)The Old Hundredth Psalm – arr. R. V. Williams (1872 – 1958)Kiddush – Kurt Weill (1900 – 1950)My Shepherd Will Supply My Need – arr. Virgil Thompson (1896 – 1987)Steal Away – arr. Paul von HippelRide the Chariot – arr. W.H. SmithAin’-A That Good News! – William L. Dawson (1899 – 1990)Precious Lord, Take My Hand – arr. Roy Ringwald (1910 – 1995)Salmo 150 – Ernani Aguiar (b 1950)The Word Was God – Rosephanye Powell

Seasons of Time - Samuel AdlerSong of Peace -Vincent PersichettiFrostiana: Seven Country Songs -Randall Thompson

The Road Not TakenThe PastureCome InThe TelephoneA Girl’s GardenStopping by Woods on a Snowy EveningChoose Something Like A Star

Three Songs of American Victoriana -arr. Hubert BirdGrandfather’s ClockHome, Sweet HomeThere is a Tavern in the Town

Season TwoJanuary 18, 2009 – “The Heavens are Telling”

June 6, 2009 – Music from the Sublime to the Ridiculous

The Heavens are Telling from Creation - Franz J. Haydn (1732 – 1809)Sanctus from Requiem - Gabriel Faure (1845 – 1924)Lacrimosa from Requiem - W. A. Mozart (1756 – 1791)How Lovely is thy Dwelling Place - Johannes Brahms (1833 – 1897)Laudate Dominum (Solemn Vespers) - W.A. Mozart (1756 – 17981)How Lovely is thy Dwelling Place - Johannes Brahms (1833 – 1897)Four Selections from Elijah - Felix Mendelessohn (1809 – 1847)The Last Words of David - Randall Thompson (1899 – 1984)Ubi Caritas - Maurice Durufle (1902 – 1986)Cantique de Jean Racine - Gabriel Faure (1845 – 1924)Salvation is Created - Peter Tschesnokoff (1877 – 1944)Alleluia - Randall Thompson (1899 – 1984)

Part I SublimeDido’s Lament and Final Chorus - Henry Purcell (1639 – 1695)Chorus of Hebrew Slaves -Giuseppi Verdi ( 1813 – 1901)Bridal Chorus - Richard Wagner (1813 – 1883)Barcarolle -Jacques Offenbach (1819 – 1880)

Part IINessun Dorma -Giacomo Puccini (1858 – 1924)O Du, Mein Holder Abendstern - Richard Wagner (1813 – 1883)Non Mi Dir -W.A. Mozart (1756 – 1791)Madamina -W.A. Mozart (1756 – 1791)

Part III RidiculousThe Art of the Ground Round -P.D.Q. Bach (1706 – 1742)

Loving is as EasyPlease, Kind SirJane, My JaneWho, Oh WhoGolly, Golly, OhNellie is a Nice Girl

Due North -Stephen Chatman (1792-1868)Duetto Buffo di due Gatti -Giochino Rossini (1792 – 1868)

Season ThreeJanuary, 2010 – Sing We and Chant It

June 12, 2010 An American Celebration

Classical Americana / Religious AnthemsThe Star Spangled Banner – Smith / KeyShall we Gather at the River – Lowry / arr. CarterHomeland – Holst/Spring-Rice/arr. StroopeAlleluia – Randall Thompson

Songs of PeaceAnthem of Peace – arr. Mack WilbergSong of Peace – Vincent PersichettiLet There be Peace on Earth – Miller/Jackson/arr. Ades

Irving Berlin’s AmericaIrving Berlin: A Century of Song – Berlin/arr Huff

Patriotic SongsEternal Father, Strong to Save – Whiting / DykesKeep the Home Fires Burning – Poorman/PoormanSalute to the Armed Forces – Arr. Camp KirklandBattle Hymn of the Republic – Howe/Steefe/arr Wilhousky

Wake Every Breath – William BillingsWhen Jesus Wept – William BillingsSicut Cervus – Giovanni Pierluigi de PalestrinaO Magnum Mysterium – Tomas Luis de VictoriaLocus Iste – Anton BrucknerAve Maria – Franz Biebl Sing We and Chant It – Thomas MorleyRequium, Opus 9 – Maurice Durafle

– Introit– Domine Jesu Christe – Sanctus & Benedictus – Pie Jesu – Agnus Dei– Lux Aeterna – Libera Me– In Paradisum

Season FourJanuary, 2011 – All Things Bright & Beautiful

June 11, 2011 - An American Quilt…Berlin, Foster and Porter

Part I Honor Guard & Color Guard PresentationStar Spangled Banner – John C. SmithGod Bless America – Irving Berlin

Part II American Composer MedleyIrving Berlin Medley – Irving BerlinCole Porter Medley – Cole Porter

Part III Solo SelectionsPart IV

A Stephen Foster Medley – Stephen Foster

Part ILet Thy Hand Be Strengthened -GeorgeF. HandelMissa Brevis Sancti Joannis de Deo -Franz J. Haydn

Part IIHaec et Dicta - J. GallusPilgrim’s Hymn - S. PaulusShall We Gather at the River - J. CarterFreedom is Coming - Traditional South African

Part IIIGloria - Antonio VivaldiAve Verum Corpus -W. A. MozartKyrie Mass in G - Franz SchubertCantique de Jean Racine -Gabriel FaureHallelujah Chorus -George F. Handel

Part IVEvery Time I feel the Spirit -William DawsonAll Things Bright and Beautiful - John RutterFor the Beauty of the Earth - John RutterMajesty & Glory - Tom Fettke

Season FiveJanuary 15, 2012 – Music for a Sunday Afternoon – Verdi to Bernstein

May 19, 2012 – I Hear America Singing

Favorite Opera ChorusesBrindisi -Giuseppi VerdiNessun Dorma -Giacomo PucciniLa Vergine degli Angeli

SolosAin’t it a Pretty Night - Carlyle Floyd

Gilbert & SullivanThree Little Maids from the MikadoHMS Pinafore : A Choral Salute

Broadway SelectionsSend in the Clowns - Stephen SondheimWithout a Song -Vincent YoumansWest Side Story Medley -Leonard BernsteinMake our Garden Grow -Leonard Bernstein

Color Guard PresentationStar Spangled Banner

Celebration of American ComposersI Hear America Singing - Andre ThomasDavid’s Lamentation - William BillingsZion’s Wall - Aaron CoplandAt the River - Aaron CoplandSure on this Shining Night - Samuel BarberChords of Love - Gwyneth WalkerThe Promise of Living - Aaron Copland

Patriotic PiecesTestament of Freedom - Randall ThompsonYou’re a Grand Old Flag - George M. CohenSalute to the Armed Forces - Arr. Camp KirklandGod Bless America - Irving Berlin

Season SixJanuary 13, 2013 – Frost, Winter Winds, Dreams and Revolution

May 18, 2013 – Made in America

Part IBlow, Blow, Thou Winter Winds - John RutterThree Madrigals - Emma Lou DermierFrostiana: Seven Country Songs -Randall Thompson

The Road Not TakenThe PastureCome InThe TelephoneA Girl’s GardenStopping by the Woods on a Snowy EveningChoose Something Like a Star

Part IILes Miserables Medley

Part 1 – Choral Americana“Simple Gifts” adapted by Aaron Copland/arr. David Brunner“I Am His Child” - Moses Hogan“Ride the Chariot” Traditional Spiritual -arr. Moses Hogan

Part II – Great Songs From the Stage“There’s No Business Like Show Business”

from Annie Get Your Gun - Irving Berlin“Summertime” from Porgy & Bess - George GershwinThree songs from West Side Story -Leonard Bernstein

TonightMariaOne Hand, One Heart

“How Can I Keep From Singing” Traditional Quaker Hymn - arr. Gwyneth Walker

Part III – A Tribute to Leonard Bernstein“Almighty Father, Incline Thine Ear” from Mass (1971)“Simple Song” from MassChischester Psalms (1965)