Sing Out! The Essex County Choral Festival

The history of Essex County will be brought to life with over two hundred and fifty singers from seven Essex County choirs on Sunday, March 3, 2013 at 4:00 PM at the Newark Museum’s Engelhard Court. 

The event, co-sponsored by the Rutgers Institute on Ethnicity, Culture and the Modern Experience and the Newark Arts Council, will celebrate the historical and cultural richness of Essex County.  The concert will feature narration by Dr. Clement Price (Board of Governors Distinguished Service Professor, Rutgers-Newark) and will conclude with two festival pieces conducted by Jacques Lacombe, Music Director of the New Jersey Symphony.  

New Jersey historian, Dr. Clement Price, notes, “This event, meticulously planned and involving a cross section of cultures and citizens that comprise the mettle of Essex County, is historically important. I know of no previous attempt to place choral music, in all of its richness and wonder, at the center of the life and times of the old American space that is Essex County. What a wondrous way to find the common ground—singing out loud—that unites us all.” 

The goal of the project is to build relationships among communities in Essex County by celebrating its rich past and demonstrating a vision for its promising future.  Essex County has long been a metaphor for diversity both old and new.  First generation immigrants from all over the world have made it their home for nearly 400 years.  Its strength lies within its richness of cultures, languages, religions, and peoples that call it home.  “Socio-economic and cultural diversity presents challenges for one of the most segregated counties in the country.  This project is about encountering the musical expressions of Essex County citizens in hopes of a more broad understanding of community” says Artistic Director, Jason Asbury.  

This historic event will convey the narrative of Essex County with choral selections sung by choirs from all over the County.  The groups include:  Elmwood United Presbyterian Church Celebration Mass Choir-East Orange; Kol Dodi-New Jersey Metro-West; Maplewood Glee Club; Newark Boys Chorus; Montclair State University Singers; North Jersey Philharmonic Glee Club; and Voices In Harmony-Maplewood/South Orange.  All choirs will join together to close the concert with two pieces conducted by Jacques Lacombe, Music Director of the New Jersey Symphony. 

Admission is free and on-site parking is available for $7.00.  The concert will begin promptly at 4:00 PM.  The Newark Museum is located at 49 Washington Street in Newark. 

Learn more about the festival on YouTube and follow us on Facebook as we get closer to the concert. 

Now come out and be a part of local history…..and SING OUT!