Men who have some music reading ability or musical or choral
experience are invited to audition.
To schedule an audition,
please contact the conductor, Gene Wisoff, at 212-362-8550 or email him at: GeneWisoff@aol.com.
Rehearsals
We rehearse on the Upper West
Side of Manhattan at the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew, 263 West
86th St. (between Broadway and West End Ave.).
Computer sheet music with audible notes
for each voice is provided to facilitate learning at home.
Day and time:
Monday from 7 to
9:15 pm. Street parking is usually available at our rehearsal hours.
Schedule:
The first
rehearsal of the
winter 2009
season is Monday, September 14.
Do You Love to Sing? Audition Now for Our
Winter 2009 Season
If you have musical experience or have sung in theater, a
chorus, or a choir and have some ability to read music, please consider
auditioning for our upcoming season.
We will be rehearsing, beginning September 14
(Monday evenings on the Upper West Side), in preparation for a gala
holiday concert in December.
For an audition appointment or more
information, contact our
conductor, Gene Wisoff, at 212-362-8550.
Men Who Sing Documentary Featuring MGC
Makes Its Debut
click
on image to view trailer
Men Who Sing:
A 56-minute
documentary showcasing MGC's rich
history since its founding in 1866 and recent
resurgence has recently been released.
The film follows the Club from rehearsals
through performances over two years, providing glimpses of
the singers and conductor at work and at play, and features
interviews with both members and others connected to the
chorus.
Click here to learn more about the DVD
and to place an order.
It's hoped that the documentary will inspire other men
who love to sing to come forth and let their
voices be heard. If you would like to audition for
our Spring 2009 season, please contact
conductor Gene Wisoff at
GeneWisoff@aol.com
or phone 212-362-8550.
The Mendelssohn Glee Club of New York City was founded in 1866.
Named
for composer Felix Mendelssohn, the Club has
offered for the enjoyment of our members and friends at least two
concerts in every year of our existence. The nonprofit organization is
the oldest men’s chorus in the country and the second oldest independent
musical organization (after the New York Philharmonic).
Repertoire
We are always adding to our eclectic library of over 1,600 male choral
pieces. Our repertoire includes art songs, ballads, spirituals, hymns,
seasonal works, operatic choruses, lieder, barbershop songs, and
selections from musical theater. Recent
performances.
Historic highlights
The glee club received accolades from Sir Arthur Sullivan and Arturo
Toscanini and sang at the dedication of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
in 1888. Its conductors have included Joseph Mosenthal, Edward MacDowell, Frank
Damrosch, Cesare Sodero, Emerson Buckley, and John Royer Bogue. Guest
soloists have included Victor Herbert, Helen Traubel, Aprile Millo, and
Emily Pulley. Detailed history.
MGC on NPR
Listen to Lars Hoel's feature about MGC on
National Public Radio's Weekend Edition Sunday (December
23, 2007). Click
here.
The Club gives two major performances a year, in the spring and winter. For
details about past performances, click
here.
Recent concerts
MGC and the Mendelssohn Club of Albany
Celebrate Felix Mendelssohn's 200th Birthday
In recognition of Felix Mendelssohn's
200th birthday, MGC and the Mendelssohn Club of Albany presented
a joint concert -- free to the public -- at Union College in
Schenectady, New York, on June 6..
The clubs performed independently and combined. The Mendelssohn
Glee Club of New York City sang six pieces, including "Die Mainacht" (Johannes
Brahms); "Stouthearted Men" (Sigmund Romberg); and "Die Lorelei"
(Felix Mendelssohn). Conductor: Eugene Wisoff.
The Mendelssohn Club of Albany performed "Let their celestial
concerts all unite," from Samson (George Frederic Handel);
"September Song" (Kurt Weill);
and "Battle Hymn of the Republic" (William Steffe). Conductor:
Victor Klimash.
As a combined chorus, the clubs sang five works, including
"For so hath the Lord Himself commanded" (from Paulus) and
"Der Jaeger Abschied" (Felix
Mendelssohn); and (from Iolanthe) "March of the Peers" (Sir
Arthur Sullivan).
Felix Mendelssohn was born on February 3, 1809, in Hamburg, Germany.
His best-known works include AMidsummer Night's Dream
(with the famous "Wedding March"); his four symphonies (especially
the "Italian" and the "Scottish"); a violin concerto; piano pieces
entitled "Songs Without Words"; and the oratorio Elias (a
large-scale work for chorus, orchestra, and soloists).
Mendelssohn inspired the creation of many choral clubs -- amateur
and professional -- including the Mendelssohn Glee Club of New York
City, founded in 1866, and the Mendelssohn Club of Albany,
established in 1909.
The Mendelssohn name was adopted in recognition of the composer's
important role, historically, in choral music. Not the least of his
contributions to European and world culture was his crusade to bring
attention to the choral works, genius, and deserved preeminence of
Johann Sebastian Bach.
Annual Spring Concert
Our 143rd annual spring concert was held Tuesday evening, May 12, at
the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew,on West 86th
Street.
The Club performed Romantic works, including "Die Mainacht" by
Brahms, "La Pastorella" by Schubert, and "Lorelei" and "Hunter's
Farewell" by Mendelssohn. There was a piece by Romberg --
"Stouthearted Men" -- and Sullivan's "March of the Peers."
The Club joined guest artist soprano Michelle Johnson in "Lida
Rose," from The Music Man, by Meredith Willson.
Spirituals, sea chanteys, and folk songs were also on the
program.
Ms. Johnson sang "What Good Would
the Moon Be?," from Street Scene, by Weill; and "You'll Never
Walk Alone," from Carousel, by Rodgers and Hammerstein, as
well as other pieces.
The featured
instrumentalist was flutist Sheryl Henze.
We hope that our audiences have enjoyed our performances
as much as we have enjoyed singing. Please keep in mind that the
ability of the Club to continue depends on financial support from friends
like you. Donations.
Benefit recitals and special performances
The Club serves the community by performing at local
hospitals and senior centers and singing at special events.
We welcome the opportunity to share our joy of singing. If you
would be interested in having the Club perform for your organization, please contact us.
To make an appointment for an audition, please contact the conductor
at 212-362-8550 or send email to GeneWisoff@aol.com.
For general questions about the Club or for
additional information, please contact the President, John Memmolo:
jamskier@aol.com.
The Mendelssohn Glee Club would like to thank
radio station WQXR for its generous
support.