WESTFIELD — On May 4, at The Presbyterian Church in Westfield, the Choral Art Society of New Jersey, featuring the Westfield High School Concert Choir, performed classic American spirituals, folk songs and more in a program entitled “Carry Me Home.”
Led by director Seth Velez, the Choral Art Society of New Jersey performed a selection of songs featuring Victor C. Johnson’s “Deep River” and Mack Wilberg’s “Shenandoah.” In the program’s notes, Mr. Velez stated that the “core of our program this afternoon are stories and reflections on home.” The selection of pieces truly captures this message, from the feelings of loneliness of missing home in Marques L.A. Garrett’s “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child,” or the longing to find your way back home in “Deep River.”
The Westfield High School Concert Choir performed two pieces, Eric Whitacre’s “Little Man in a Hurry” and Eric Barnum’s “Afternoon on a Hill,” while the Westfield High School Chorale performed “Sit Down Servant!” by Stacey Gibbs. Despite the choir being made up of teenagers, their talent in each piece showed their musical maturity. Led by Director of Choirs John Brzozowski, these teenagers showed not only the audience but the seasoned members of the Choral Art Society of New Jersey that the future of music is in safe hands with the younger generation.
The concert concluded with the Westfield High School Concert Choir and the Choral Art Society of New Jersey combining to perform two final pieces: R. Nathaniel Dett’s “The Chariot of Jubilee,” and “Goin’ Home,” by Antonín DvoYák. Combining the two choirs made for an entertaining finale and an impactful one.
Combining the two choirs represented how the gap between the two generations can be bridged with pieces of art like music bringing us together. The message of the pieces performed that day was of how our longing to find our place and our home is in all of us. And watching a choir made up of people from different generations beautifully illustrated how music can unite us through common emotions and experiences.
Soloist for this performance were Mezzo-Soprano Linda Smargiassi and Tenor Edward Washigton II. Mrs. Smargiassi joined the Choral Art Society for their performance of “Fern Hill.” Her commanding and beautiful voice was magnificent to listen to. Mr. Washington joined the mixed choir for “The Chariot of Jubilee”; his profound voice added an extra layer of heart and passion to the already moving piece.
Accompanied by Carol Walker, not only did the singers of this performance fill The Presbyterian Church in Westfield with their beautiful harmony, the orchestra also helped elevate the beauty and heartbreak of the lyrics in each piece, bringing the lyrics to life with powerful, sensitive accompaniment.
As voices young and old blended seamlessly during the performance, it reflected the universal longing for home, belonging and purpose. The music, rich in emotion and history, served as a reminder that art has the power to unite us, speak to our shared humanity across age, background and experience. Watching the Choral Art Society of New Jersey and the Westfield High School Concert Choir perform with so much sincerity and passion was not only moving but also a testament to the timeless power of song.
