originally published: 07/03/2023
(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- One of Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association (OGCMA)'s most steadfast and beloved traditions, the Annual Choir Festival, now in its 69th season, returns on Sunday, July 9 at 7:00pm in The Great Auditorium. This spectacular choral event features dozens of choral organizations from the Northeast, forming a massed choir of hundreds of voices accompanied by the Great Auditorium's historic 13,000+ pipe organ and featuring the Great Auditorium Soloists. This year's theme is "And the Greatest of These Is Love."
The Choir Festival will be conducted by OGCMA’s Director of Music Ministries, Dr. Jason C. Tramm, as well as Special Guest Conductors. Accompaniment will be provided by Organist-in-Residence Dr. Gordon Turk. This year’s guest conductors include Cindy Bell, Rider Foster, Dr. Tom Juneau, Anthony LaGruth, Dr. Everett McCorvey, Dr. Mark A. Miller, Fiona Smith Sutherland, and Dr. Jason Tramm.
Soloists include: Monica Ziglar (Soprano), Laura Zahn (Mezzo Soprano), Ronald Naldi (Tenor), and Justin Beck (Bass).
Choir Festival Attire: Women should wear all white or white tops and black bottoms; men should wear a white shirt, a black tie, and black slacks.
The Great Auditorium is located at 21 Pilgrim Pathway in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. All facilities are handicapped-accessible. This is a non-ticketed event. A free will offering will be accepted.
This year, the combined choirs will perform anthems and hymns composed/arranged by classical and contemporary composers:
“Rejoice in the Lord Away” – George Rathbone
“Chords of Love” – Gwyneth Walker
“Greater Love Hath No Man” – John Ireland
“We Lift Our Voices” – Robert Cohen
“O Love” – Elaine Hagenberg
“Love Brought Me Back” – Dr. Mark A. Miller
“Hope For Resolution”- Caldwell and Ivory
“This Is Love” – Kevin Boesiger
“Et in Terra Pax” – Thomas Juneau
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” – Nathan Carter
The first choir festival in Ocean Grove was held in 1955. The concept of a large-scale festival of Christian music evolved when Dr. and Mrs. Walter D. Eddowes recognized a need for an experience that would inspire choristers to attain higher goals in music for their churches. At that time, the Auditorium Choir secretary, Mrs. Anna Nichols, extended an invitation to vocal groups in Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore area. The first festival was a preaching service that included a hymn sermon, seven anthems, five conductors and nine choirs.About 200 singers augmented the Ocean Grove Auditorium Choir and the result was so thrilling that an annual event was established.
Through the years, many renowned composers of choral music have conducted their own works at Ocean Grove, performed by the huge festival choir. Among them are: John Ness Beck, Craig Courtney, Dr. Laurence Dilsner, Jester Hairston, Ross Hastings, Dr. Carl Mueller, Carl J. Nygard, Jr. and Clayton White.
FEATURED EVENTS
You can have your events appear here, whenever someone reads an article about OCEAN GROVE
click here for more information
EVENT PREVIEWS
Avenel PAC presents 20,000 Roads: The Music of Gram Parsons featuring Pat Guadagno, James Maddock & Lisa Bouchelle
(AVENEL, NJ) -- The dynamic trio of Pat Guadagno, James Maddock, and Lisa Bouchelle, accompanied by a powerhouse band of 'First Call' musicians, including Saturday Night Live drummer Shawn Pelton, come together to deliver 20,000 Roads: The Music of Gram Parsons, a soulful and heartfelt celebration of the timeless catalog of one of American music's most influential pioneers. The show comes to the Avenel Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 7:30pm.
Bergen Pop/Rock Ensemble Brings Revives the '90s with The Roots of Pop & Rock Volume III
(PARAMUS, NJ) -- Bergen Community College's talented Pop/Rock Ensemble returns to the stage for one electrifying night of '90s favorites with The Roots of Pop & Rock Volume III, a live tribute to the unforgettable sounds of this influential decade. Join the ensemble on a journey back to a time when alternative rock reshaped mainstream radio and pop music soared to new creative heights. The diverse array of artists being paid tribute to will run the gamut from Nirvana and Green Day to No Doubt and the Spice Girls to Selena and Shakira.
South Jersey Jazz Society to Honor Bob Ferguson
(LINWOOD, NJ) -- The South Jersey Jazz Society will honor Bob Ferguson with the 2026 "George Mesterhazy" Jazz Master award at a gala event to be held on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at Linwood Country Club starting at 6:30pm.
South Jersey Jazz Association To Honor Bob Ferguson At Awards Ceremony on April 30th
(LINWOOD, NJ) -- The South Jersey Jazz Society will honor trumpeter Bob Ferguson with the 2026 George Mesterhazy Jazz Master Award at a gala event on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at Linwood Country Club. The award, named for a much-beloved local jazz pianist who made a lasting mark on the great American art form of jazz, is given to individuals who have greatly contributed to the performance of jazz both locally and nationally.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Alastair Green on April 30th
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Alastair Greene on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 7:30pm. A native of Santa Barbara,California and now residing in Austin, Greene has ridden his Blues-soaked rock into the 21st century, traversing a constantly changing global (and musical) landscape.
Hey Bulldog to Pay Tribute to The Beatles at Liberty Science Center
(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Hey Bulldog will perform a tribute to The Beatles in the Planetarium at Liberty Science Center on Thursday, April 30, 2026 from 8:00pm to 10:00pm. Come see one of the area's best Beatles cover bands perform some good old fashioned no fuss rock and roll!
Ocean Casino Resort presents UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Fronted by the unmistakable voice of Ali Campbell, UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell will be bringing their Big Love Tour to Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City with Matisyahu on Friday, May 1, 2026. Showtime is 9:00pm.
Tuckerton Porchfest returns May 2nd with Music, Poetry, Art & Community along Main Street
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Tuckerton Porchfest returns on Saturday, May 2, 2026 (rain date: May 3rd) from 11:00am to 4:00pm, transforming Main Street into a vibrant, walkable celebration of local creativity. Featuring live music, poetry, visual art, vendors, and community experiences, this grassroots festival invites attendees to explore multiple porch stages hosted by local businesses and residents.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Cold Shot on Saturday
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Cold Shot on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 7:30pm. The band is dedicated to capturing the electrifying energy and soulful sound of legendary Texas blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan.
bergenPAC presents Six-Time Tony Award (R) Winner Audra McDonald on May 3rd
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Six-time Tony Award® winner Audra McDonald will play a one-night-only concert at bergenPAC (Bergen Performing Arts Center) on Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 7:00pm.
MORE EVENTS
Click on the listing to bring up its webpage
