NA Concert Choir Preforms at NJPAC
Newark Academy’s Concert Choir was be joined four local high school choirs, the Newark Boys Chorus, three professional soloists, and the New Jersey Youth Symphony 100-piece orchestra in the full performance of Carl Orff's, Carmina Burana on May 19 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. The performance was conducted by Maestra Helen Cha-Pyo (mother of Michael Pyo '22 and Christopher Pyo '17). She is the Artistic Director of the NJ Youth Symphony.
“Not only was this a shared experience for our NA singers, but for ALL of the students involved,” NA Choral Director Viraj Lal said. “It's not often that you get to be part of something greater and larger than yourself. That is the gift of Choral Singing.”
Carmina Burana plays an important role in the choral and orchestral repertory. The 25-movement masterwork covers a wide range of topics as familiar in the 13th century as they are in the 21st century: the fickleness of fortune and wealth, the brief and transient nature of life, the joy of the return of spring, and the pleasures and perils of drinking, gluttony, gambling, and lust.
Viraj was appointed Choirmaster in charge of preparing the 300-voiced choir. NA’s collaborative pianist, Jack Bender, was commissioned to compose a work for String Ensemble, Piano, and Children's Chorus. His composition included three poems by Langston Hughes and had its world premiere at this concert.
An independent school for students in grades 6-12