Newburgh Symphonic Chorale Welcomes the Holidays

The Newburgh Symphonic Chorale presents a varied and spirit-raising winter concert program sure to put its audience in a holiday mood on Sunday, November 22, 2009, at 3pm at St. George's Episcopal Church, Grand Street, Newburgh. Ingrid Narken, a most accomplished Hudson Valley native, will debut as Choral Master and Director, and Gordon Shacklett will provide piano accompaniment. Ms. Narken succeeds Founding Director Claudia Cummings.

The program will include Christmas music from around the world and features pieces by Andre Thomas, John Rutter, Bob Chilcott, Boyd Bacon, Audrey Snyder, Norman Luboff, Joseph Martin, and Kirke Mechem.

Ingrid Narken received a B.S. degree in music theory and composition from SUNY New Paltz, and a M.S. degree in music education from Western Connecticut State University. Ms. Narken has been teaching vocal music for the Washingtonville Central School District in Orange County, New York since 1990, and her choruses have consistently earned high ratings at NYSSMA Evaluation Festivals. She was most recently children's chorus master for the Opera Company of the Highlands production of Hansel and Gretel. In addition to teaching, Ms. Narken has performed throughout the Hudson Valley with many area choral groups, most recently with the Opera Company of the Highlands productions of Cavalleria Rusticana, I Pagliacci, and Madame Butterfly as a member of the chorus.

Gordon Shacklett needs little introduction to area music lovers and has been the accompanist for the Newburgh Symphonic Chorale concerts since its inception. Mr. Shacklett is organist and choirmaster at Calvary Presbyterian Church in Newburgh and conducts the Newburgh Concert Strings there as part of the Calvary Concert Series. He performs as cellist with the Schunnemunk String Quartet and the Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra, where he presents pre-concert previews.