Camerata

An important part of The Masterwork Chorus is a chamber ensemble made up of auditioned members of the full chorus.  Called The Masterwork Camerata, it is a mixed ensemble of 15-20 voices. Camerata gives several self-sponsored concerts each year and performs as part of full chorus programs when appropriate.

Camerata’s members are experienced singers with a passion for small group singing, and they tackle challenging choral repertoire for the enjoyment of singers and audiences alike.  A sampling of repertoire includes Bach's Lobet den Herrn, Buxtehude's Das neugeborne Kindelein, Sweelinck's Hodie Christus Natus Est, Durufle's Ubi Caritas, Dickau's O My Luve's Like a Red, Red Rose, Foster's Nelly Bly, Lauridsen's O Magnum Mysterium and several of Moses Hogan's uplifting spirituals.

To learn more about joining The Masterwork Camerata, or about engaging the group to sing for a special occasion or function, contact Don MacGowan at 973-479-4020 or dmacgowan@verizon.net​. Recent Camerata programs are listed below.  To listen to some of the group’s singing, click on the mp3 files below.

Note:  Camerata membership was significantly disrupted during Covid, and the group is currently inactive.  We will rebuild the group in the near future and resume rehearsing and performing in a coming season.


2019-2020 Season

Sunday, December 1, 2019 at 2:00 PM

Holy Family Chapel, The College of St Elizabeth, Convent Station, NJ

The Sisters of Charity’s Annual Holiday Concert for the students, faculty, and alumni of the St. Elizabeth’s community.

  • Britten: Ceremony of Carols
  • Handel: Excerpts from Messiah
  • Additional holiday selections

Friday, December 13, 2019 at 7:30 PM

Wilson Memorial Union Church, 7 Valley Rd., Watchung, NJ

  • Britten: Ceremony of Carol
  • Handel: Excerpts from Messiah
  • Additional holiday selections

A free-will offering will be taken

Friday, April 17, 2020 at 7:30 PM

Somerset County Library at Bridgewater

1 Vogt Dr., Bridgewater, NJ 

  • Program to be announced

   Open to the public

Sunday, May 3, 2020 at 3:00 PM

A collaboration with the music ministries at Chatham Methodist Church 460 Main St., Chatham, NJ

  • Program to be announced

   Open to the public

 
2018-2019 Season

Sunday, February 24, 2019 at 3:00 pm
The Oaks at Denville Retirement Community on Pocono Road, Denville

 

Friday, April 5, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Winchester Gardens
Maplewood, N.J.

Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 3:00 pm
in collabotation with
Chatham Methodist Church Choir


2017-2018 Season

 

Opera Flyer - Garden State Opera

The Masterwork Camerata presents Gifts of the Season. The featured work of the same name by composer Martin Sedek acknowledges the universality of the joys of the season. It draws from secular prose representing the gifts of Love, Peace, Hope and Joy. Other holiday selections round out the program including works by Alice Parker, Robert Shaw and (dare we say it) P.D.Q. Bach. Masterwork's own Carol Walker accompanies on the piano.

Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 5:30 pm
Chatham United Methodist Church
460 Main Street, Chatham, NJ
 
Friday, April 13, 2018
Crane's Mill Retirement Community
459 Passaic Avenue
​West Caldwell, NJ 07006
 
Sunday, April 15, 2018
Milton United Methodist Church
310 Dover-Milton Road
Oak Ridge, NJ 07438
 

Hodie Christus Natus Est - Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562-1621) - As Performed by The Masterwork Camerata

Watts Cradle Hymn - Isaac Watts (1674-1748) - As Performed by The Masterwork Camerata