Press release from Monmouth Civic Chorus

The Monmouth Civic Chorus, the award-winning vocal ensemble under the artistic direction of Dr. Ryan James Brandau (pictured), has announced a 2015-2016 season that spotlights traditional Christmas favorites in December, and classical gems in March and May. Subscribers are guaranteed the best seats and best prices for all three concerts.

The sounds of the Yuletide season will fill the air when the chorus and orchestra premiere a new Christmas Suite by Dr. Brandau, featuring his own arrangements of holiday favorites. Classical selections from Handel’s beloved Messiah (a long-running yearly gift to the Red Bank community from the MCC) and Bach’s magnificent Mass in B Minor will round out the program. The concert, titled Joy to the World, is scheduled for 4 pm on Sunday, December 20 at the Count Basie Theatre. For many music lovers, it won’t be Christmas without it — and reservations can be made here for premium seating ($45 adult, $40 senior, $35 groups of 10 or more, $10 student) or for regular seating ($30 adult, $27 senior, $25 group, $5 student).

Dr. Brandau has chosen the transcendent acoustics of Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 101 Chelsea Avenue in Long Branch, for a superb concert titled Passions, with meditations on Lent from the 17th to the 20th centuries. The music is poignant and contemplative, including Membra Jesu Nostri by Dieterich Buxtehude, Crucifixus by Antonio Lotti, and O Vos Omnes by Pablo Casals. The concert is on Sunday, March 6, 2016 at 4 pm, and tickets are priced at $30 adult, $27 senior, $25 group, $5 student.

The season closes on Friday, May 13, 2016 at 7:30 pm, with the program entitled Heavenly Harmony  hosted at the First Presbyterian (Tower Hill) Church in Red Bank. The music includes the visionary Five Mystical Songs by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Handel’s triumphant Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day, and the buoyant Choral Dances from Gloriana by Benjamin Britten. Tickets are $30 adult, $27 senior, $25 group, $5 student.

Subscriptions are $75 for all three concerts, a savings of more than 25 percent off full-price individual admissions. Student subscriptions are $20. Subscribers receive premium seats for the holiday concert, which have traditionally sold out year after year. Subscriptions, tickets and information are available here or by calling (732)933-9333.