NEW JERSEY YOUTH CHORUS INVITES YOU TO ‘THE LIGHT WE GIVE’ HOLIDAY CONCERT

• By Mabel Pais

The New Jersey Youth Chorus (NJYC), a program of Wharton Arts, invites the community to ‘The Light We Give: A Holiday Readings & Carols Concert,’ a concert woven with warmth and tradition. This will take place on Friday, December 5, at 7:30 p.m., at the Morristown United Methodist Church (50 South Park Place, Morristown, NJ 07960).

Featuring two of the New Jersey Youth Chorus’ ensembles, Coriste, led by Trish Joyce, and Camerata, led by Dan Malloy, with accompanists Phillip Steffani and Andrew Macirowski, the concert invites the audience to reflect on the light we share with one another. Choristers will offer music and readings that honor the diverse traditions celebrated by the NJYC choral family.

The concert repertoire, inspired by Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas, include such pieces as ‘Aarti’ by Mishaal Surti, ‘Ocho Kandelikas’ by Flory Jagoda, ‘Kuumba’ by Zanaida Robles, ‘Carol of the Bells’ arranged by Peter Wilhousky, and ‘As It Fell Upon a Night’ by Katherine K. Davis.

Audience members are invited to join in several carols throughout the program, including ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful,’ ‘Deck the Hall,’ ‘Zol Zain Sholem,’ and ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing.’ Choristers will take part in symbolic lighting rituals, including diyas, the menorah, the kinara, and the Advent wreath.

The concert concludes with a set of songs that explore connection and community. ‘Auld Lang Syne,’ along with ‘Touch Hands,’ by Abbie Betinis, are beautiful reminders of long-held traditions: “strong hands to weak, old hands to young, for who may say if ever this day many come to us again.”  The program will come to a close with an excerpt from Maya Angelou’s ‘Amazing Peace,’ and a final shared carol, ‘Let There Be Peace on Earth,’ which shows that ‘the light we give’ can always illuminate the dark.

Wharton Arts Artistic Director & Principal Conductor Helen Cha-Pyo said, “This concert reflects the very heart of NJYC’s mission—using music to bring people together and to build a community rooted in care and belonging. That mission comes to life through the artistry and spirit of our remarkable directors and young singers. I warmly invite you to this meaningful concert and be part of this beautiful musical community.”

TICKETS

Tickets are available at NJYC.org. Adult prices are available. Students and seniors, with valid ID, get discounts.

Wharton Arts

Wharton Arts is New Jersey’s largest independent non-profit community performing arts education center serving nearly 2,000 students through a range of classes and ensembles. The 5 ensembles of the New Jersey Youth Chorus, an auditioned choral ensemble program for students in grades 3–12, encourage a love and appreciation of choral music while nurturing personal growth and creative development. Learn more at whartonarts.org.

Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Spirituality, Social Issues, Education, Business, Health and Wellness, and Cuisine.