By Christopher Benincasa, JerseyArts.com
originally published: 12/10/2020
Since 1958, Christmas in Carol and Song has been an annual tradition at Rutgers University’s historic Kirkpatrick Chapel in New Brunswick. Patrick Gardner, distinguished professor of music and director of choral activities at the Mason Gross School of the Arts, has led the Rutgers Kirkpatrick Choir and the Rutgers University Glee Club for more than 25 years.
With the help of both choirs recording from home throughout the country, visual artists Camilla Tassi and Stephanie Tubiolo, and a Mason Gross student quarantine pod known as the Handy Street 8, Gardner has produced a dynamic virtual concert experience that will debut on the Mason Gross School of the Arts Facebook and YouTube pages this Saturday at 7:30pm. For details on the show, click here.
We recently spoke to Patrick Gardner and three of his students about reimagining and reinventing this holiday tradition for 2020.
About the author: Christopher Benincasa is an Emmy Award-winning arts and culture journalist. He produced content for NJ PBS for a decade before co-founding PCK Media. Christopher currently works as a freelance producer, video editor, writer, and communications specialist for a diverse set of commercial, non-profit, and government clients. His work has been featured on various PBS stations, and in American Abstract Artists Journal, The Structurist, Paterson Literary Review, and JerseyArts.com.
Content provided by
Discover Jersey Arts, a project of the ArtPride New Jersey Foundation and New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
EVENT PREVIEWS
MPAC presents Women of Americana: A Celebration of American Music
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Coinciding with the United States' upcoming semiquincentennial, Women of Americana: A Celebration of American Music, produced by Eli Wolf, comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 7:30pm.
Morris Museum presents Cerus Quartet on April 9th
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- The Morris Museum presents Cerus Quartet on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 7:00pm. Founded in 2022, the Cerus Quartet is dedicated to showcasing the dynamic and versatile sound of the saxophone quartet.
Newton Theatre presents GRUNGEFEST: Tributes to Pearl Jam & Chris Cornell
(NEWTON, NJ) -- Fans of grunge music will want to mark their calendars for GRUNGEFEST on Friday, April 10, 2026 at The Newton Theatre. The Ledbetters will pay tribute to Pearl Jam and Superunknown will perform songs by Chris Cornell. Showtime is 8:00pm.
SOPAC presents Texas Flood - A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan
(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- Texas Flood - A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan comes to the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) on Friday, April 10, 2026 at 7:30pm.
Westminster Conservatory Faculty Recital on April 10th to honor Galina Prilutskaya
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Friday, April 10, 2026 at 7:30pm, Westminster Conservatory of Rider University will present a faculty recital to honor the memory of Galina Prilutskaya, a long-time member of the Conservatory's piano faculty who died on October 11, 2025. The recital will take place in Hillman Performance Hall in the Marion Buckelew Cullen Music Center (101 Walnut Lane) in Princeton. The recital is open to the public free of charge.
State Theatre presents Graham Nash in April
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Graham Nash - Live on Tour 2026 on Saturday, April 11 at 8:00pm. Graham Nash will perform a career-spanning retrospective of his six decades of contributions to contemporary music. Tickets start at $47.
Outpost in the Burbs and Montclair Film presents the Music of John Prine: Film and Concert
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs and Montclair Film presents "In Spite of Ourselves," a concert and film screening of You Got Gold, on Saturday, April 11, 2026. The concert and film are a tribute to the music of the legendary singer-songwriter John Prine.
RVCC Theatre presents Rolling Stones Tribute Band on April 11th
(BRANCHBURG, NJ) -- The Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College's Mainstage series will rock out its season with a performance of Satisfaction: The International Rolling Stones Tribute Show, Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 7:00pm.
State Theatre New Jersey and Metropolitan Entertainment present Graham Nash
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey and Metropolitan Entertainment present Graham Nash - Live on Tour 2026 on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 8:00pm. Nash will perform a career-spanning retrospective from his six decades of contributions to contemporary music.
