Event details
Friday, May 1, 2026
7:00 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church of Freehold
118 West Main Street
Freehold, NJ
Join Monmouth Civic Chorus as we mark the 250th Anniversary of our great democratic experiment, in partnership with RevolutionNJ. This program features a world premiere by New Jersey composer Robert S. Cohen commissioned for the occasion, alongside a rich tapestry of shorter works uplifting American words and stories. The chorus is joined by elite professional chamber orchestra.
Tickets: Adult $42, Senior $37, Student $15, Group (10+) $31 with code “GROUP”
Logistical Details
- Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
- Parking for this event is on-street only. Please allow extra time upon arrival.
- Concert runtime is approximately 75 minutes, with no intermission.
Accessibility
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Program
I Hear America Singing — Robert S. Cohen, texts by Walt Whitman, Robert Pinsky & Langston Hughes
Joy — Margaret Bonds
The Arrow and the Song, from A Song Together, commissioned for MCC’s 75th Anniversary — Ryan James Brandau (Ellen Crimi, whistle)
Reading: “The Indian Burying Ground” — Philip Freneau, read by James J. Green
Sure On This Shining Night — Morten Lauridsen, text by James Agee
grandmother moon — Eleanor Daley, text by Mary Louise Martin
(translation note: We’lalin means “thank you” in Mi’kmaq, the language of the First Nations People of Nova Scotia)
Reading: “The Hill We Climb” — Amanda Gorman, Youth Poet Laureate, read by Janice M. Thomas
Light of a Clear Blue Morning — Dolly Parton, arr. Craig Hella Johnson (Douglas Clark, tenor; Ellen Crimi, whistle; Gwyneth Hecht, Christine Psolka, Janet Breslin, trio)
Break it Gently to My Mother — Frederick Buckley, arr. Brandau (Kenneth Wasser, baritone; Urara Mogi, Marina Fragoulis, violins; Joseph Pisano, guitar)
Wildflowers — Tom Petty, arr. Mark Grizzard, based on the performance by The Wailin’ Jennys (Micaelie Bremer, Megan Delaney, Elizabeth Bonuccelli, sopranos)
Deep River — Traditional Spiritual, arr. Moses Hogan
An Irish Blessing — Traditional, arr. Brandau
I’ll Be On My Way — Shawn Kirchner (Kenneth Budka, baritone; Matthew Kovach, tenor; Urara Mogi, violin)
Reading: “Let America Be America Again” — Langston Hughes, read by Robert E. Kelly
From Sea to Shining Sea, A Fantasy based on “America the Beautiful” — Samuel A. Ward, arr. Maurice C. Whitney, adap. Brandau, text by Katherine Lee Bates
The Promise of Living, from The Tender Land — Aaron Copland
Notes from our commissioned composer
Working on I Hear America Singing, I felt pride for being commissioned by Monmouth Civic Chorus to compose music to the text of three of America’s greatest poets, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of our country. There was also a bit of sadness that we currently live in a time that is still struggling to live up to and exemplify the eloquent words these poets expressed.
As a composer, I am very much driven by storytelling and crafting music that evokes aural and visual images. In I Hear America Singing, I drew on echoes of musical styles that defined some of our great American composers such as Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein, two of my favorite composers. One of the great aspects of choral composition is that, in a sense, it reflects our country itself, made up of diverse individuals, each with their own voice, yet blending their lives in song and symphony, and through their passion for singing, create something of beauty.
— Robert S. Cohen
Meet the artists
Among audiences, MCC Artistic Director Ryan James Brandau is best known for dynamic and uplifting choral and orchestral performances, whether he himself is at the podium or his arrangements on the program. The New York Times hailed his recent debut appearance at Trinity Church Wall Street, conducting its iconic annual Messiah, “the gold standard” against which others “paled in comparison.” For both expert and new listeners, his interpretations are at once resplendent with the past and resonant with the present, earning the Times’ praise as “urgent and eloquent,” “burning and gladdening,” “intimate, alternately sober and joyous,” and, most essential to Ryan’s pervasive artistic intent, “modest yet monumental.”
Among musicians, he is perhaps better known for a clarity of vision and mastery of craft that is uncommonly equaled by a commitment to collaboration with vocalists and instrumentalists — a potent alchemy that not only produces music of the highest level, but invites participation in his music-made joy.
In New York City, he is the founder and Director of Res Facta, a vocal ensemble bringing together 14 of the city’s finest professional vocalists, and the longtime Artistic Director of Amor Artis, a chamber choir and Baroque orchestra, which specializes in bridging the Renaissance and Baroque to the present day. He is also the Artistic Director of the symphonic chorus and orchestra, Princeton Pro Musica — winner of the 2021 American Prize in Choral Performance — and Monmouth Civic Chorus, both in New Jersey.
In addition to leading his own ensembles, he has prepared choruses for the Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, and New Jersey Symphony.
As a choral and orchestral arranger, Ryan is equal parts artistic innovator and technical practitioner, taking pride in works that are as rewarding for musicians as they are for audiences. His expansive holiday repertoire in particular is lauded as “inventive,” “unfailingly gratifying,” and “in a class by itself” by the directors, vocalists, and instrumentalists of the many volunteer to professional ensembles that showcase their best through his well-crafted arrangements and meticulous orchestrations.
And as a lover and scholar of music, he is committed to collaboration with emerging artists and educational organizations, cross-cultural exploration, and building bridges for new audiences by presenting classical works in dialogue with contemporary themes and new music.
Ryan has taught and conducted at Westminster Choir College, Santa Clara University, and Smith College. He holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the Yale School of Music, a Master of Philosophy in Historical Musicology from Cambridge University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Princeton University.
He lives in New York City with his husband, Ian, and his dog, Tux.
Member Soloists
Elizabeth Bonuccelli, soprano, is thrilled to have joined MCC this season— a homecoming made all the sweeter after eight years in California. A lifelong singer, she was a member of NJ All State Chorus for all three eligible years and studied summers at Westminster Choir College throughout high school, then went on to perform with Shades of Blue A Cappella and Women’s Chorus at Penn State. Her favorite community theater roles include Kim in Bye Bye Birdie and the title role in Cinderella. By day, she works at the intersection of global development and technology, supporting governments around the world in building sustainable technology ecosystems. She is so grateful to be singing with this extraordinary group! Love to her husband Derek and their dachshund, Ozzy.
Micaelie Bremer, soprano, has been a member of Monmouth Civic Chorus since 2024. Originally from Branchburg, New Jersey, she currently resides in Belmar. Her passion for making music with others developed through singing and playing the trumpet in the bands and choirs at Somerville High School, as well as through vocal study with Julieanne Klein. She was honored with the National Choral Award, recognized as NJ Central Region Chorus Top Soprano II, and received both the Marching Band MVP and Directors Award, in addition to being voted “Most Musical.”
She continued her musical journey at Penn State University, where she participated in the a cappella community and campus band. After earning her degree in Graphic Design, she now pursues a professional career in the field and is pleased to contribute her skills to MCC. Micaelie is deeply grateful for the continued support of her family and values the friendships she has developed within the MCC community. She also appreciates her dogs and her garden for their emotional support.
Kenneth Budka, bass, has been active in Monmouth County music community since he and his wife Cindy moved to Marlboro in 1991 and raised their two children. Ken has performed with the Monmouth Civic Chorus, New Jersey Chamber singers, and is a vocalist/guitarist with the Freehold United Methodist Church’s praise band “Joyful Noise” and choir. He is a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician with Marlboro Emergency Medical Services and Music Chairperson of Monmouth Civic Chorus.
Douglas Clark, tenor, songwriter, recording engineer & producer, has been a long-time member and soloist with Monmouth Civic Chorus, New Jersey Chamber Singers, and the Shrewsbury Chorale. He was a soloist on MCC’s CD “Grace Notes” and in MCC performances of Liszt’s Psalm 13, Handel’s Messiah, Janacek’s Otčenáš, Buxtehude’s Magnificat, Biebl’s Ave Maria, Mahler’s 8th Symphony Veni, Creator Spiritus, Handel’s Dixit Dominus, and Felsted’s Jonah, among others. Doug’s solo repertoire has also included Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, Haydn’s Creation, Mozart’s Requiem, Dvorak’s Stabat Mater, and St. Saens’ Christmas Oratorio. He sings professionally at Tower Hill Church in Red Bank, NJ, and in the summer at Elberon Memorial Church. Doug has collaborated with internationally acclaimed pianist Vladislav Kovalsky, performing and recording lieder by the great masters including Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, R. Strauss, and Wolf. He recently retired as an IT software engineer from AT&T Bell Laboratories, in order to pursue his musical passions full-time.
Megan Delaney, soprano, has been a member of Monmouth Civic Chorus since 2023. She is a Professor of Psychology at Monmouth University, where she also studies voice with Eunjoo Lee-Huls. In her spare time, she enjoys being in nature and traveling with her family, Chris, Fiona and Maeve. She is delighted to be performing Tom Petty’s “Wildflowers” alongside fellow sopranos Liz and Micaelie, and forever grateful for her time under the baton of RJB.
Matthew Kovach, tenor, has been a member of MCC since 2025. He previously sang with Riverside Choral Society in New York City, and debuted his solo cabaret show Nongénue at South Orange Performing Arts Center in 2024. He has also appeared in regional theater productions including A Little Night Music, A Grand Night for Singing, Richard III, My Fair Lady, She Loves Me, and The Most Happy Fella, as well as New York City cabaret performances at The Duplex, Le Poisson Rouge, Don’t Tell Mama and Gotham Comedy Club. He holds a Bachelors of Music in Musical Theatre from Baldwin Wallace University. Matthew is a proud staff member of the Entertainment Community Fund, the national human services organization for professionals in film, theater, television, music, opera, radio and dance. He lives in Maplewood, NJ, with his husband and their three cats.
Kenneth Wasser, baritone, has been a member of MCC for over 50 years. He has performed leading roles in local productions of Sondheim on Sondheim, Ragtime, South Pacific, Titanic, Damn Yankees, Man of La Mancha (NJ ACT PERRY award for outstanding lead actor in a musical), Fiddler on the Roof, The Secret Garden, Follies, The Magic Flute, The Most Happy Fella, New Moon, Oklahoma!, Carousel, The Merry Widow, Brigadoon, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Kismet, and many of the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. Ken is also a featured vocalist with The Garden State Symphonic Band in Middlesex County and an active partcipant in Cabaret for Life fundraisers. Ken provides the entertainment for various organizations with his one-man show, The Three Baritones. He lives in Long Branch with his wife, Linda, also an MCC member.
MCC members performing
Soprano
Kristen Babcock
Aylin Bilgutay
Elizabeth Bonuccelli
Donna L. Boris
Linda A. Boyce
Micaelie Bremer
Marina Christopher
Hillary Critelli
Patti Carlisle D’Andrea
Heather Daniels
Caitlin deBrigard
Megan Delaney
Lisa Ficarelli-Halpern
Valerie Valvano Guerrero
Claire L. Harbeck
Gwyneth Hecht
Carol Hsu
Barbara H. Jacomme
Joan R. Kinney
Lisa M. Kirby
Janice Liddy
Sandra Liddy Papp
Deborah Macock
Eleanor Mason
Pat Miller
Peggy Noecker
Petrina Picerno
Christine Psolka
Janet Rostad
Helen Steblecki
Janice M. Thomas
Carol A. Van Kirk
Martie Viets
Jennifer Weingarten
Hui-Ling Wu
Alto
Lindsay Abbot
Carol Andrew
Kathleen Blinn
Jenni Blumenthal
Janet Breslin
Carolyn Gratzer Cope
Celeste Credle
Ellen Crimi
Lilaia DeFilippis
Patricia Dowens
Alissa Downey
Sarah Gillis
Becky Gorman
Susan Gorsky
Deb Hoffman
Marcie Horowitz
Joanne Kelsey
Kari Martin
Susan Metz
Alison Nead
Janine Nehila
Angelina O’Neill
Stephanie Palmer Bates
Mari-Jo Policastro
Clare Resnick
Atsuko Sasaki
Jacqueline Schreiber
Linda Wasser
Caroline Whittemore
Kathleen Woolston
Tenor
Kenneth Brynildsen
Tom Burlington
Douglas Clark
Marshall Gorman
James Harbison
Matthew Izzo
Matthew Kovach
George Liddy
Ray Ritchie
James Scavone
David P. Willis Jr.
Bass
Kenneth Almquist
Victor Barbella
Andrew Bogdan
Leyland Brenner
Kenneth Budka
William Fiorelli
James J. Green
Daniel Hyman
Robert E. Kelly
John Luard
Kelly Morgan
Ruairi O’Neill
Richard F. Oppenheim
Joseph Pisano
Darnell Robinson
Matthew Snodgrass
Richard Sorrentino
Tim Velardo
Kenneth Wasser
Gordon Wu
Instrumentalists performing
Violin 1
Urara Mogi
Violin 2
Marina Fragoulis
Viola
Greg Williams
Cello
David Heiss
Bass
Tony Falanga
Clarinet
Dan Spitzer
French Horn
Colin Weyman
Trumpet
Brad Siroky
Percussion 1
John Ferrari
Percussion 2
Greg Landes
Piano
Nicole Aldrich
A huge thanks to our donors
We are deeply grateful for the generous and continuous financial support we receive from our donors. These contributions allow us to organize and hold concerts like this one. Through the Scholarship Fund we have supported many young artists throughout the years.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
MCC Annual support
Angel ($1,200+)
Stephanie and Andrew Bates
The Cope Family
Anne and Daniel Ford
John Chen-Han Lee M.D., on behalf of Hui-Ling and Gordon Wu
Pat and Steven Miller
Marilyn and Joel Morgovsky
Joe Pisano and Steven Russell
The Quinn Family, in memory of Fran and Dick Costello
James Scavone and Paul Chalifour
Leegen and Thomas Wu
Donor ($600 – $1,199)
Kathleen Blinn
Jenni and Ralph Blumenthal
Janet and Peter Breslin
Pat and Jac Dowens
Teri Lindstrom
Deborah Macock
Susan Metz
Warren Moe
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Martie Viets and Phil Carter
Hui-Ling and Gordon Wu
Sponsor ($300 – $599)
Dr. and Mrs. David and Donna Brandau
Doug and Doris Clark
Richard and Sally Chrisman, in gratitude for Maestro Ryan Brandau
Patti and Steve D’Andrea
Kenneth Fiorelli, in honor of chorus member William Fiorelli
Becky and Marshall Gorman
David and Mary Burke Graham, in honor of Dr. Ryan James Brandau
Ann Gratzer, in honor of Carolyn Gratzer Cope
Jim and Sue Harbison
Marcie Horowitz and Margaret Maloney
Brian and Joelle Kelly Family Foundation
Maura Marcus and Craig Nohl
Petrina M. Picerno
Ray and Anita Ritchie
Kathy Woolston
Patron ($150 – $299)
Anonymous
Alice Berman
Hillary and Sean Critelli
William and Jean Fiorelli
Gilded Lily Florist
Susan Gorsky
Deb Hoffman, in memory of Tom Hoffman
Kathy Horgan, in honor of Jim Scavone
Greg and Joan Kinney
George Liddy
Chris Ondrak
Clare Resnick
Dr. James Schmitt
Dr. Carol A. Van Kirk, Ph.D.
Friend (up to $149)
Anonymous
Glen Baird
Steve Bowman
Michele Critelli
John DeNicola
JoAnn Dow-Breslin
Arnaldo Galassi
Dr. Connie Goddard
Stephan A. Heinlen, in memory of Michail J. Heinlein
Michael Humphreys
Victoria Iannarone
Helen Kim
John Luard
Patricia Manno
Kari Martin
Luzia Nicosia
Charles Parr
Natalie Pawlenko
Jacqueline Schreiber, in memory of my father, MCC supporter Robert W. Schreiber
Ellen Toomey
Caroline Whittemore
MCC Endowment Fund
$25,000 +
Estate of Laura D. Elliot
$20,000 +
Mike Huber, in memoriam
Gerald and Susan Metz
$10,000 +
In memory of Mary Ann Greco
Estate of Eileen McAndrew
Deborah Macock
$5,000 +
Leland dePlanque, in memoriam
A Friend
Lucent Technologies
Deborah and Dwight Macock
$3,000 +
Estate of Laurine E O’Neil
$1,000 +
Ralph and Jenni Blumenthal
Sydney Kindler in memory of Matthew Picerno
In memory of Ivar and Allene Lindstrom
Under $1,000
AT&T
Patti and Steve D’Andrea
Steven Doyle, in honor of his wife Helen Steblecki
Susan Levantino
Joe Pisano, in honor of Carol Van Kirk’s 75th birthday
PSEG Power of Giving Campaign
Dr. James Schmitt
Roger Zurro
Gerald Metz Scholarship Endowment Fund
If you’re looking for an especially meaningful way to support MCC and talented young musicians in NJ, we encourage you to consider donating to this new scholarship fund. Longtime MCC member Jerry Metz had a profound impact on the lives of countless musicians, and we are honored to be able to continue that legacy with your help.
$36,000
Susan Metz — in memory of Jerry Metz
Under $1,000
Dr. and Mrs. David and Donna Brandau
Richard and Sally Chrisman
Patti and Steve D’Andrea
Ted Diesenhaus and Deeanne Shapiro
Gabriella Estrada
Ann Gratzer, in honor of Carolyn Gratzer Cope
Laura and Barry Green
Kenny Litvack
Warren Moe
Richard Sorrentino
Fiona Sutherland
Hui-Ling Wu
MCC Scholarship Fund
$1000 +
Jeanne and Lionel Trebilcook
Under $1,000
Basil Baccash
Michele Critelli
Patti and Steve D’Andrea
Connie Goddard
Umami Girl
Hui-Ling and Gordon Wu
Roger Zurro
Acknowledgments
Thank you to Printing2Go for providing exceptional service at every turn. You make our season possible.
MCC Board
President: James Scavone
Vice President: Janet Breslin
Secretary: Stephanie Palmer Bates
Treasurer: Joseph Pisano
Financial Development: Joan Kinney
Financial Operations: Michele Critelli
Marketing: Carolyn Gratzer Cope
Membership: Martie Viets
Music: Kenneth Budka
Production: Brian Shapiro
Scholarship: Sandra Liddy Papp
Technology: Heather Daniels
Registered Agent: Jenni Blumenthal
Concert production crew
RevNJ Committee: Janet Breslin, Sarah Gillis, Susan Gorsky, Jamie Green & Joseph Pisano
Music Manager: Kenneth Budka
Production Manager: Brian Shapiro
Marketing Manager: Carolyn Gratzer Cope
Ticket Manager: Hui-Ling Wu
Database Manager: Kathy Woolston
House Manager: Doris Clark
Digital Program Manager: Jacqueline Schreiber
Program Designer: Micaelie Bremer
One Body