A Collaboration Born from a Love of Music

Bay Atlantic Symphony and Greater South Jersey Chorus Partner for Powerful Voices Concert

When two performing groups collaborate for a concert there’s always the risk of clashing musical interpretations. That’s not a problem for the leaders of the Bay Atlantic Symphony and the Greater South Jersey Chorus, who will jointly present their “Powerful Voices” concert at two locations on Saturday, March 15 and Sunday, March 16.

Jed Gaylin, Bay Atlantic Symphony Music Director, notes that the two groups have done several joint concerts since 2000, most recently a sold-out performance of Beethoven’s famous 9th Symphony in 2023. “I just love working with Christopher Thomas (Chorus artistic director). He’s a fantastic musician and a great singer as well.”

Thomas, in the midst of rehearsals for the joint performance of Haydn’s “Lord Nelson Mass” says, “When I prepare the chorus I’m trying to get a group of people to know a piece well enough to be able to be flexible and change everything I taught them” once the two groups come together.

Performing with an orchestra brings a different type of energy than a choral concert with piano accompaniment, Thomas said. “My metric is how does the choir feel? It’s great to see them smiling and leaving the stage with joy that is different than other concerts.”

Unpacking Multiple Parts for Rehearsal and Performance

Gaylin explains that while the two groups mostly rehearse their parts separately, the artistic leaders will talk frequently about styles, pronunciation of text and other issues so that later joint rehearsals will run smoothly. “I’ll try to crawl inside the passage so much that when the other group has a different interpretation it’s not a problem to adjust,” he said.

The Greater South Jersey Chorus has grown in recent years from a few dozen singers to a group of 130, which makes it challenging to find a stage large enough, especially when combined with an orchestra. The two leaders solved the problem in part by choosing a piece that calls for a smaller ensemble of instrumental musicians rather than a full orchestra complement.

Thomas’ Baritone Vocal Performance is a Rare Treat

Thomas, who teaches and leads choirs at Rowan University, doesn’t often take on singing roles himself. “But it’s always good to put yourself out there when you’re asking your musicians to do this,” he says. “It’s so vulnerable when you use your own instrument and at the same time it’s really fun.”

Adds Gaylin, “We’ve learned from research that the thing that bonds people most deeply is singing together. When we have 130 voices and get that energy with the Symphony, there’s nothing better than that sound.”

About Bay Atlantic Symphony

Bay Atlantic Symphony is the leading professional performing arts company and education organization of the region with its artistic vision driven by the philosophy that music is essential to life. The Symphony provides access to excellence in performance and music education that enhances the musicians, presenters, participants and community. Bay Atlantic Symphony is a per-service orchestra comprised of union musicians.  For more information visit www.bayatlanticsymphony.org or contact Lisa Simon at mediarelationsforbas@bayatlanticsymphony.org or 856.857.6555 x22.

About Greater South Jersey Chorus

Established in 1992, the Greater South Jersey Chorus is an auditioned, mixed-voice ensemble that embraces a diverse range of choral genres. Initially formed under the auspices of the Philharmonic of South Jersey, the chorus has grown from the initial 50 members to 130 members performing in both full chorus and a smaller chamber ensemble in Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Cumberland and Atlantic counties in New Jersey.

Performance Information

Saturday, March 15 at 3 p.m. at Guaracini Performing Arts Center (Rowan University Cumberland Campus) 3322 College Dr., Vineland.

Sunday, March 16 at 2 p.m. at Stockton University’s Performing Arts Center, 101 Vera King Farris Dr., Galloway.

Purchase tickets at either site below.