AMERICA INSPIRED SPRING 2026
Oratorio Society of New Jersey
“For centuries Native Americans gathered together to sing in unison and in parallel intervals. American music changed rapidly with the arrival of Europeans in the 16th century, and choral singing began incorporating harmony and polyphony. Tonight’s program opened with the colonial composer William Billings and then lept decades forward with a tapestry of music beginning in the early years of the 20th century, when American composers moved away from 19th-century habit of composing in an essentially European style and developed their own distinctive voices.”

#osnj #america #springconcert

Tomorrow night, I am singing some truly special American choral music from Colonial to present. It’s been très fun making a wall of sound with C. Paige Porter. There’s so much rich and expressive music that has emerged in the past 250 years from the growing pains of our young country. I was reminded tonight how much I love the atmospheric musical tapestry of Randall Thompson. Giddy up indeed. Oratorio Society of New Jersey

Oratorio Society Of New Jersey to Present ‘America Inspired!’ on  April 25

In honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Montclair-based Oratorio Society of New Jersey (OSNJ) will present “America Inspired!” – a celebration of the diversity of American choral music from colonial days to the present. The concert will take place on Saturday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m. at the Union Congregational Church, 176 Cooper Ave, Montclair. “America Inspired!” will feature works by some of the most accomplished and famous American composers, including Barber, Bernstein, Billings, Copland, Ellington, Gershwin, and Thompson, among others. The concert will offer a taste of the rich melting pot of influences and styles that is American music, including liturgical, spiritual, gospel, jazz, folk, and neoclassical. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door – plus OSNJ has introduced student pricing: $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the 7:30 p..m performance – please arrive early due to General Admission seating. For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit the Oratorio Society of New Jersey website.

Justice for Josef Rheinberger. He truly doesn’t get enough recognition for the German romantic musical gems he created. Every time I sing one of his pieces, I am so moved by how his muse transcends the page. It is so beautifully crafted and utterly human.

Bleib’ bei uns, denn es will Abend werden,
Und der Tag hat sich geneiget, sich geneiget,
O bleib’ bei uns, denn es will Abend werden.

Bide with us, for evening shadows darken,
And the day will soon be over, soon be over,
O bide with us, for evening shadows darken.

#cathedralchoir #runningonallcyclinders #makingmusic

#rheinberger

I have been grateful to connect with Petra Labitzke recently after the tragic loss of a dear connection, Sifu Philipp Hackert. Sending much love to his beloved wife Susanne Hackert and their son Moussa. I have been very much enjoying the clever, quality content of Petra’s voice memos. Last weekend I found an old email I had saved in my inbox that I sent to my Mom and Dad when I visited Philipp and Petra in 2000. The email spoke about how nice she was and how we connected as fellow gregarious opera singers. Petra shared how her parents remembered my dad and our visit. Apparently my Dad asked her parents if he could take pictures of their beautiful garden. Apple doesn’t fall far. 🤣 Vintage Bruce and Liz Perryman. She also remembered my brother Neal F. Perryman when he visited and his spirited political debates with Philipp. New memories like this are a treasure. A pic of one my fun early memories with my Dad (by the barbecue he built out of brick) now hangs in the studio where I teach at Wagner and brings me peace. #memories #notgettingoutalive

“A rebirth out of spiritual adversity causes us to become new creatures.”

“On Easter Day, the veil between time and eternity thins to gossamer.”

“Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.”

This Good Friday, our cardinal thoughtfully expressed the core teachings of Jesus. I was riveted. The cardinal spoke of authentic conversion of the heart and referenced St. Alphonsus Liguori. No conversion is built on fear rather it is rooted in love. These lessons are uncomfortable and unsettling. The cardinal answered who is “deserving” of unconditional love. Who is worthy, merited, valued, and should benefit? The gospel teaches that even the most undeserving are accepted. Grace is not transactional. During the passion, not even the most devout follower was exempt from being overcome with fear; the teachings of Christ denied in service to self preservation. The tragedy of passion week was the human inability to accept that we can not earn our path with a rigid rubric. So where do our transgressions lie? I think of when I have felt the most empty and disconnected. My failings show up when I am unable to see myself in others. Modern day has urged us to face each other with kindness no matter how abhorrent we can find each other. And when we are able to still commune with each other in spite of it all, we have found the light that we all seek.

EAP 4.4.2036

#holyweek #halig #stalphonsisligouri #unconditional #grace #growth #goodfriday

So proud of my wife Elizabeth Honer and her Good Friday march of protest with First Congregational Church of Montclair.

MONTCLAIR, New Jersey (WABC) — Faith leaders and parishioners in New Jersey marked Good Friday with a day of action, embarking on a 10-mile pilgrimage to show their support for immigrants in detention.

The group started in Montclair, stopped at several churches along the way and plans to end at Delaney Hall in Newark.

“I think every Good Friday, Christians are called to ask, where do we stand in the face of suffering? And so this is our answer. It’s our way of showing our prayers with our feet,” said Rev. Katrina Forman.

This is the approach to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, where inside, worshippers were marking Good Friday observances, and where Cardinal Joseph Tobin took time to address the cause, acknowledging the plight of those locked away in detention centers. He himself began Lent with a vigil at Delaney Hall.

“God wants to crack open the stoniness of human hearts, our hearts and the hearts of people who, for political gain or just for fear, want to persecute people,” said Cardinal Joseph Tobin of the Diocese of Newark. “And so, we don’t despair. The cross is leading us and is leading you. And we thank God for the light that you display before this city, and hopefully that light will penetrate the walls of Delaney Hall.”

Among the clergy are parishioners, activists and concerned citizens who say it would be ungodly for them to ignore the pain of others, and this is a way to show support.

https://abc7ny.com/post/faith-community-marks-good-friday-pilgrimage-montclair-delaney-hall-newark-nj-show-support-detainees/18835962/

#closedelanynow #pilgrimage #goodfriday

On my 4.1 official spring break day and night off, Elizabeth Honer and I saw the epicness that is Chess Broadway. What an INCREDIBLE show. Even from our cheap seats, we had an awesome view. The music, the dancing, the story, the humor….it was superb. Full disclosure, I wasn’t about to just drink the Aaron Tveit koolaid. Then I witnessed him. He was stunning. It felt historic to see him perform and leave it all on the stage from every core of his being. I was riveted. As our schedule dictates when we can see a show, the other two leads were covers and did very well, especially Anatoly. Review forthcoming. In other news, Eliz and I had a delightful economy overnight stay at the Pod hotel and I got to high five Spider-Man. In true NYC fashion, I am now listening to Billy Joel, Bee Gees, and disco at the diner. Time for the tridium. #springbreak #pod #chess #broadway #nyc #2026

https://youtube.com/shorts/bIblDpDScA4?si=-ldqmGzvAZIArrfK