The Morris Choral Society Concludes Season With Brahms Requiem

The Morris Choral Society will perform their Spring Concert on Saturday, May 16, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Abby Church on the campus of Delbarton School, 230 Mendham Road in Morristown. The soloists for this concert will be Soprano Cassandra Douglas and Baritone Charles Gray. The chorus will be accompanied by a full orchestra.

Soprano Cassandra Douglas is familiar to audiences for the Morris Choral Society, having sung at last year's concert. She made her solo debut at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall and was a competition winner with Riverside Opera Company. She has been a resident artist with several opera companies and is an ensemble member of the American Spiritual Ensemble and the National Chorale.

Baritone Charles Gray, hails from Southern California, and made his debut as Plagio in the American premiere of Saverio Mercadante's I Due Figaro with Amore Opera. He has since appeared in other roles at Amore Opera and with various local companies.

The program will include first half performances by Express Male, an all-male vocal ensemble, and High Society, an all-female vocal group who will be offering sacred music. This year's MCS

R. Wayne Walters Scholarship winner Sophie Havens will be recognized.

MCS Director Michael Shane Wittenburg enriches the cultural landscape, elevating both programs and performances with his presence. For example, he takes time to nurture young talent at The Elizabeth Faidley Studio, and collaborates with Metropolitan Opera stars and Orpheus. He holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester and the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga. He has studied with Henry Charles Smith, David Effron, and Michael Jinbo.

The piano accompanist for MCS is Jennifer Yang, who has been the organist and accompanist for the Morristown United Methodist Church for almost 10 years. An award-winner, she is much in demand, playing solo recitals, chamber music concerts, and choir concerts around the world.