Mission Statement

The mission of the MUSIC CLUB CHORUS of NEW CASTLE is to prepare and perform George Frideric Handel's Messiah - the watershed oratorio that has excited and challenged humankind for generations -- and to offer to our listeners and performers the distinct opportunity to be a part of this truly monumental classic. We strive to continually develop the musical, artistic, educational, and spiritual aspects of this single work. We aim to include participants across age, racial, and physically challenged spectrums. (The chorus has included the blind and regularly offers an interpreter-in-sign language for the hearing impaired. All performance sites are accessible to the handicapped.) It is common to have both teenagers and octogenarians working on and performing the same voice part.

Contacts
  Director director@ncmusicclubchorus.org
Assistant Conductor assistant@ncmusicclubchorus.org
Treasurer treasurer@ncmusicclubchorus.org
Pianist pianist@ncmusicclubchorus.org
Webmaster webmaster@ncmusicclubchorus.org
 

Did You Know?

In 1939, the MUSIC CLUB CHORUS of NEW CASTLE premiered its annual performance of Handel's Messiah at the First Presbyterian Church in New Castle, Pennsylvania.

Originally comprised of members, associates, and friends of the New Castle Music Club, the chorus has recruited members from over forty area churches as well as students from several local high schools and colleges and citizens from across western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio. This production has historically featured talented, regional musicians and music educators-- including organists, pianists, vocal soloists, trumpeters, flautists, percussionists, and choir members.

The chorus has performed annually (excepting 1969 and 1970) under the leadership of three experienced conductors: Mrs. W. Walter (Ruth) Braham (1939-1968), Mrs. Kenneth (Betty) Gibson (1971-1990), and Harry M. Cunningham (1991-current). Performances have previously been hosted by over a dozen New Castle area churches, the Scottish Rite Cathedral of New Castle, the Third Baptist Church of Youngstown, and Westminster College. The Saturday, November 28, 1998 performance marked the first collaboration between the New Castle Music Club Chorus and Penn State/Shenango.

A Message from our Director,
Harry M. Cunningham

February 1, 2012

Calendar-Chained Christmas?

I love Christmas!  To celebrate the Holiness of God’s baby Son, to experience the cheer, good will, joy, and peace among fellow believers, to witness the compassionate kindness toward the less fortunate—to evidence the Christmas spirit all around is truly inspiring.

Our tree still graces our family room; its shimmering colors glow and warm our wintry evenings.  Tomorrow is Ground Hog’s Day, andI know I’ll need to dismantle it soon now, but I will miss it.

To my delight, this morning’s (February 1st) Daily Bread devotional included the Luke 1 birth story and reflected on how Christmas often seems like it’s “chained to the calendar.” The meditation reminded me of our post-Christmas anthem, The Work of Christmas Begins.

Its lyrics, written by Herb Frombach, deeply touched our parishioners on that January Sunday

When the song of the angels is stilled,
And the voices of the night are silent;
When the shepherds return to their sheep,
The work of Christmas begins.
To feed the hungry,
To find the lost,
To free the pris’ner,
To heal the broken,
When all wars cease,
When love is spoken,
The work of Christmas begins to live.

As we embark on the New Year and proceed into Lent and journey toward our Messiah’s resurrection, may we glow with the perpetual warmth of the Christmas (Holy) Spirit.


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