(VINELAND, NJ) -- Bay Atlantic Symphony and Greater South Jersey Chorus Join Together for Powerful Voices Concert featuring performances of The Lord Nelson Mass by Joseph Haydn and Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 4. Performances take place Saturday, March 15, 2025 in Vineland and Sunday, March 16, 2025 in Galloway.
The Lord Nelson Mass, known as one of Joseph Haydn’s most beloved choral works, is presented by Bay Atlantic Symphony in collaboration with the 130-voice Greater South Jersey Chorus and featuring soloists Renée Richardson, soprano, Kyle Engler, mezzo, Christopher Hochstuhl, tenor and Dr. Christopher Thomas, baritone.
The distinctive and memorable mass stirs powerful emotions, ranging from solemnity and torment to joyous celebration. Haydn originally called it a “Mass for Troubled Times” but following a performance attended by British Admiral Horatio Nelson, who won an impressive victory over Napoleon, the piece became associated with Nelson, the war hero.
Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 opens the program beginning with a mysterious and bareboned musical introduction, previewing the elements that erupt in each movement with playful rhythms and tunes. The symphony was described by one conductor as “a song of beauty such as no one else has ever written, presenting absolute novelty of color and creating an atmosphere in music justly termed ‘romantic.’” The two pieces together deliver an afternoon of Powerful Voices.
Performances take place Saturday, March 15 at Guaracini Performing Arts Center (3322 College Drive) in Vineland at 3:00pm and Sunday, March 16 at Stockton University’s Performing Arts Center (101 Vera King Farris Drive) in Galloway at 2:00pm. Tickets for both performances are available for purchase online.
The Bay Atlantic Symphony is a performance and education organization with an artistic vision driven by the philosophy that music is essential to life. The Symphony provides access to excellence in performance and music education that enhances the musicians, presenters, participants, and community. The Bay Atlantic Symphony is a per-service orchestra comprised of union musicians. Major funders include the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, The Presser Foundation, and Woodruff Energy.
Established in 1992, the Greater South Jersey Chorus (GSJC) is an auditioned, mixed-voice ensemble that embraces a diverse range of choral genres. Initially formed under the auspices of the Philharmonic of South Jersey, the chorus has grown from the initial 50 members to 130 members performing in both full chorus and a smaller chamber ensemble in Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Cumberland, and Atlantic counties in New Jersey. The chorus is now an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit, singer-managed organization with a board of trustees composed of chorus members and community professionals. The chorus remains committed to bringing quality musical performances to a broad audience throughout the region while expanding their community service initiatives in the area.
