Naugatuck Community Choir 'Baroque Choral Masterpieces' - My Review

The Naugatuck Community Choir presented their spring concert entitled Baroque Choral Masterpieces this weekend. The concert on Friday evening was held at St. Francis Xavier Church in Waterbury and the Sunday afternoon concert was presented at St. Hedwig Church in Naugatuck. The concert featured Vivaldi's "Gloria" and Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" with wonderful orchestral accompaniment.

The NCC is under the direction of Mark C. Silva and their accompanist is Brett Judson. The members of the choir are not only from Naugatuck, but travel from Bethel, Middletown, Southbury, Wolcott, Meriden, Monroe, Beacon Falls, Waterbury, Prospect, Seymour, Shelton, Bethany and Oxford. Former conductors include Sean Lewis, Bill Davis, and Marguerite Mullee. In 2012, the choir expanded from two formal concerts each year to four formal concerts, in addition to many other experiences during their 16 seasons.

NCC president Aldona LaPorta addressed the good-sized crowd at the matinee performance to welcome and thank them for attending to "celebrate the joy of music with us." She also thanked Rev. Eugene Kotlinski, C.M., pastor of St. Mary and St. Hedwig Roman Catholic Churches, for allowing the choir to perform at St. Hedwig.

The first half of the concert was Gloria RV 589 by Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741.) The twelve movement work is in Latin. The best parts for me where the pieces in soaring four part harmony where the entire choir sang with the orchestra and sometimes the organ.  I also enjoyed the duet by sopranos Jessica Barber and Mary Case in "Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te," and the solo by Denise Silva on the sixth movement. Alto Kerri Kohlun did a lovely job on two separate solos, one of which was backed by the entire chorus. Her rich alto voice was perfectly matched to the small orchestra.

The second half of the ninety minute concert was comprised of four distinct pieces by George Frederic Handel (1685-1759.) "Judas Maccabaeus HWV 63" was a spirited piece. "Coronation Anthem #3 HWV 260" was a five part piece (with alto 2 added.) During a pretty organ concerto, a free will offering collection was taken, and the final number was a piece with which no baroque concert would be complete "Hallelujah" Chorus.

The orchestra included Mr. Judson on the organ, Larry Deming and Lindsey Jones on violin, Julie Overland on viola, Laura Flachbart on cello, Kevin Sandler and Heather Titus on trumpet and David Wilson on percussion.

Shout out to the newest Naugatuck Board of Education member Ethel Grant in the soprano section.

Judy Tourangeau designed the program cover and concert posters. Following the concert was a reception during which the members tried to convince concert goers to join them.