Can’t Afford To Fly To Italy To Hear The Rutgers Chorus
Perform? Get A Preview Here In NJ In May

(Newark, N.J., April 20, 2009) -- Audiences in several Italian cities will be treated to performances by the Rutgers University Chorus next month.  But Essex County audiences will get to hear the performances first, live and in person, without benefit of passports or plane tickets. 

The Rutgers University Chorus, Newark Campus, under the direction of Dr. John E. Floreen, will give four performances of its Spring Concert, featuring the works of Mozart, Viadana, Pitoni, Desprez, Vecci, Diemer, Wright and Rutter, as well as special arrangements of folksongs and spirituals.  Floreen has led the chorus since 1979; Assistant Conductor is Dr. Susan McAdoo and the accompanist is Dr. Adrienne Pavur.  The local concert schedule is:

·        Sunday, May 3, 2009, 4 p.m., Prospect Presbyterian Church, 646 Prospect St. (at Tuscan Road), Maplewood: $25, preferred seating; $10, general admission; $5, students/senior citizens;

·        Monday, May 4, 11:30 a.m., Bradley Hall Lounge on the Rutgers-Newark campus, at the corner of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Warren Street, Newark; free; 

·        Sunday, May 17, 3 p.m., St. Mary’s R. C. Church, 528 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (at William Street), Newark; $25/ $10/ $5;

·        Tuesday, May 19, 8 p.m., St. Rose of Lima R. C. Church, 50 Short Hills Ave. (at Millburn Ave), Short Hills;   $25/$10/$5.

On Friday, May, 22 the Rutgers Chorus will begin its seventh international tour when it flies to Italy for a nine-day concert tour.  Highlights of the schedule include concerts in the Cremona Cathedral and in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, and a joint concert with the Franco Maria Saraceni University choir in the Church of San Lorenzo, Rome.  Other concerts will be given in Florence and in rural Tuscany before the Rutgers Chorus returns on May 31. 

In past years the Chorus has represented Rutgers in song in Germany, the Czech Republic, The Netherlands, France, England, Scotland and Wales, receiving enthusiastic receptions from audiences as well as rousing reviews from music critics.

The Rutgers Chorus has produced five CD recordings, available at the concerts and in the Rutgers-Newark Bookstore.

“This extraordinary tour would not be possible without the hard work of the singers and the generous financial support of numerous friends of the Chorus and Rutgers alumni,” notes Floreen. “We are greatly looking forward to it.” The trip is primarily being financed by chorus members, concert ticket sales, donations and some support from Rutgers University, Newark.  However, gifts to defray the tour’s costs are welcome.  Checks payable to the Rutgers University Chorus-Newark should be sent to John Floreen, Rutgers Department of Visual & Performing Arts, Room 213, Bradley Hall, Newark, NJ 07101.

The Rutgers-Newark campus is wheelchair-accessible Rutgers‑Newark can be reached by New Jersey Transit buses and trains, the PATH train and Amtrak from New York City, and by Newark Light Rail. Metered parking is available on University Avenue and at Rutgers‑Newark's public parking garage, at 200 University Ave.  Printable campus maps and driving directions are available online at: http://www.newark.rutgers.edu/maps/index.php