Photo courtesy of Doug Munch
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- The Morris Choral Society will perform their Spring Concert on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at St. Mary's Abby Church on the campus of Delbarton School. The soloists for this concert will be Soprano Cassandra Douglas and Baritone Charles Gray. The chorus will be accompanied by a full orchestra. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Soprano Cassandra Douglas is familiar to audiences for the Morris Choral Society, having sung at last year’s concert. She made her solo debut at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall and was a competition winner with Riverside Opera Company. She has been a resident artist with several opera companies and is an ensemble member of the American Spiritual Ensemble and the National Chorale.
Baritone Charles Gray, hails from Southern California, and made his debut as Plagio in the American premiere of Saverio Mercadante’s I Due Figaro with Amore Opera. He has since appeared in other roles at Amore Opera and with various local companies.
The program will include first half performances by Express Male, an all-male vocal ensemble, and High Society, an all-female vocal group who will be offering sacred music. This year’s MCS R. Wayne Walters Scholarship winner Sophie Havens will be recognized.
Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors, and $20 for students and are available for purchase online or by calling 973-723-6424. St. Mary’s Abby Church is located on the campus of Delbarton School (230 Mendham Road) in Morristown, New Jersey.
MCS Director Michael Shane Wittenburg enriches the cultural landscape, elevating both programs and performances with his presence. For example, he takes time to nurture young talent at The Elizabeth Faidley Studio, and collaborates with Metropolitan Opera stars and Orpheus. He holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester and the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga. He has studied with Henry Charles Smith, David Effron, and Michael Jinbo.
The piano accompanist for MCS is Jennifer Yang, who has been the organist and accompanist for the Morristown United Methodist Church for almost 10 years. An award-winner, she is much in demand, playing solo recitals, chamber music concerts, and choir concerts around the world.
The MCS is funded in part by Morris Arts through the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional funding has also been provided by the Masterwork Music and Art Foundation and individual donations.
Renowned conductor and pianist, Michael Shane Wittenburg, captivates audiences worldwide with his exceptional artistry. Hailed as a 'real virtuoso' by the late Ruth Laredo, Maestro Wittenburg's international acclaim soared with his mesmerizing European debut at the Romanian National Theater of Opera and Ballet, where he conducted Puccini's 'Turandot' to resounding praise. Embracing the vibrant pulse of New York City's cultural scene, he fervently engages with esteemed companies, elevating performances with his dynamic presence.
As the Director of the Morris Choral Society, Wittenburg enriches the cultural landscape with unparalleled talent and vision, fostering musical excellence with each meticulously crafted note. His dedication extends beyond the concert hall, as he nurtures young talents at The Elizabeth Faidley Studio, imparting wisdom and igniting musical passions for over a decade. His collaborative spirit knows no bounds, as evidenced by his memorable recitals alongside luminaries such as Metropolitan Opera soprano Stella Zambalis, violinist Livia Sohn, and Orpheus Ensemble oboist Gerard Reuter. Through his collaborations with Orpheus and beyond, he has shared the stage with a constellation of virtuosos, including Carolyn Widmann, Pekka Kuusisto, Stefan Jakiw, Midori, Sarah Chang, and Lisa Batiashvili, to name a few.
Notably, Wittenburg's artistic journey has taken him to esteemed opera companies in Nashville, Orlando, and Sarasota, where he has served as an assistant conductor and vocal coach, leaving an indelible mark with 66 performances of Andrew Duncan's enchanting children's opera, "The Ugly Duckling." Among his recent triumphs, Wittenburg conducted a spellbinding live performance in New York City, subsequently broadcast on Kosovo television in honor of that country’s Independence anniversary. Wittenburg's most influential mentors include Michael Jinbo at the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors or Orchestral Musicians, David Effron, and Henry Charles Smith. With each endeavor, Michael Shane Wittenburg continues to illuminate the world with his passion, talent, and unwavering commitment to the transformative power of music.
The Morris Choral Society has two purposes: to make available to all Morris area residents varied choral music programs and to give residents an opportunity to perform in a choral organization. New members are accepted twice a year by audition, in September and in January.
