Messiah Time in Scarsdale
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The New Choral Society performed two sold out Messiah concerts for the 32nd year. (Photo credit: Tony Allen Photography)Hallelujah and Amen!
If you are a devout and regular reader of The New Yorker magazine like I am, you no doubt read in its December 8, 2025, issue in the “Goings On” column that “you may be able to hear faint chants of ‘Hallelujah’ starting to emerge from classical-music venues throughout the city. That’s right, it’s Messiah season.
“Catch Handel’s masterpiece at Carnegie Hall, with the Oratorio Society (Dec. 22); at Lincoln Center, with the New York Philharmonic (Dec.10-13) or National Chorale (Dec. 15); or at Trinity Church (Dec.10-12), St. Thomas Church (Dec. 11), St. Helena Church (Dec. 13), or St. Ann’s Church (Dec. 22). Probably any church, really. They (the New Yorkers) like this kind of thing,” The New Yorker said.
But Westchester New Choral Society fans, forget all that New Yok City stuff, especially if you were smart enough to purchase tickets ahead of time to Messiah Part I at either of the New Choral Society’s sold-out performance on Friday night, Dec. 5th or Sunday afternoon, Dec. 7th.
If you’re a Westchester person and a fan of the New Choral Society’s music like I am, you probably beat the New Yorkers and their musicians to the punch for a Messiah concert of your own in your own neighborhood. Congratulations! The Choral Society’s Messiah, Part I was as good as it’s ever been in the last 32 years. Dr. John T. King, founder of the New Choral Society (NCS) in 1994 and always the Artistic Director and Conductor for all those years and his singers and orchestra, did it again for both 2025 performances. First class indeed, again!
As usual, all four soloists were excellent and on point. They were Véronique Filloux, Soprano; Hannah Jones, Mezzo-Soprano; Angel Raii Gomez, Tenor, and Ben Strong, Bass-Baritone. Their bios are impressive, and I am sure you’ll be hearing more about them in the future. It was difficult to pick a favorite, so I didn’t. Jones, Gomez and Strong appeared by kind permission of the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program of the Metropolitan Opera.
Dr. John T. King backstage with soloists Véronique Filloux, Ben Strong, Angel Raii Gomez, and Hannah Jones. (Photo Credit: Tony Allen Photography)
As the concerts progressed, it was obvious that hard work in rehearsals, dedication and professionalism had prevailed. The audiences responded by singing along at the end of each recital and stomped their feet while ushering in a “BRAVO” to salute the performances.
In addition, there were some side bars to report.
They included: (1) Amazingly, 6 of the 23 original NCS members performed with the chorus, including Bonnie Gould who came out of retirement for Sunday’s performance; (2) Sopranos Anita Kaplan and Angela Nally singing in their final NCS performances who have sung with the group for 30 and 32 years respectively; (3) Debra Hess traveling once again from Athens, GA, to sing the alto part in both performances; (4) Una Tone, Concertmaster, back from her professional violin work on Broadway, to sit in her expected Violin 1 spot; (5) The chorus sitting in a new arrangement where the soprano and bass sections were mixed together on the left and the alto and tenor sections were mixed together on the right; (6) Photographer Tony Allen quietly roaming the sanctuary to get special shots, and (7) Soprano Dorothy Kroenlein, another NCS original, smiling throughout both performances.
Dr. John T. King with singers Anita Kaplan and Angela Nally who are retiring from the chorus after 30 and 32 years respectively. (Photo credit: Justin O'Leary)
Also important to note, as mentioned in the program, NCS has launched a “Partners in Music” program where it records select live concert performances to share with partner senior residences whose residents can’t easily attend in-person. The first partners are The Osborn in Rye and Kendal on Hudson in Sleepy Hollow.
20th Annual Have a Heart for the Holidays Gift Drive Luncheon
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Scarsdale resident and Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) Board member Linda Plattus hosted her 20th annual luncheon, along with WJCS Board Members Sarah Kayle and Nina Ross; NextGen Council Members Yael Friedland and Samantha Stavis; and Host Committee Michelle Dinenberg, Poornima Eber, Allison Friedland, Fara Friedman, Jennifer Galeon, Jessica Levinson, Jessica Eckhaus Modell, and Robin Silk on November 19, 2025.
Luncheon guest brought toys, games, and gift cards that will be distributed to WJCS clients who live in under-resourced communities. For many of these families in need, these toys will be the only gift they are able to give their children this season. Over 1,000 gifts have been committed to the drive to date.
Guests heard from WJCS Board President William Shirley, Chief Executive Officer Seth Diamond, Assistant Executive Director of Children, Youth, and Families Katrina Schermerhorn, and Director of Family Matters Carolyn Murphy about the breadth and depth of WJCS's programs and services that improve the lives of thousands of Westchester residents each year.
The floral centerpiece was donated by House of Flowers in Mamaroneck, and cookies and cakes were donated by Martine’s Fine Bake Shop in Scarsdale. Donations to the WJCS Have a Heart for the Holidays Gift Drive can be made here.
And They're Back! Class of 1970 Celebrates 55th Reunion
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75 classmates and spouses of the Scarsdale High School Class of 1970 enjoyed a celebration of their 55th reunion on October 10 and 11, 2025. Alumni planned a terrific weekend filled with activities at the Edith Macy Center in Briarcliff Manor. First, some visited their elementary schools, then laughed and hugged and enjoyed rekindling old friendships.
Submitted by Karen Milnes of Ashville, North Carolina.
Community Leaders and Supporters Gather at Hoff-Barthelson to Celebrate Music and Young Talent
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NY State Senator Shelly Mayer, Meera Chari, HBMS Executive Director Gabriella Sanna, Ariana Thomas, and Scarsdale Deputy Mayor Dara Gruenberg. Photo by Steven Schnur.Hoff-Barthelson Music School welcomed New York State Senator Shelly Mayer, Scarsdale Deputy Mayor Dara Gruenberg, and other supporters of the School for a festive afternoon of music, cocktails, and conversation celebrating HBMS students and the vibrant community that sustains them.
The event featured outstanding performances by HBMS high school seniors Meera Chari (cello) and Ariana Thomas (piano), whose artistry and dedication embody Hoff-Barthelson’s mission to inspire excellence and foster a lifelong love of music.
“We are deeply grateful for the partnership and support of our community,” said Gabriella Sanna, Executive Director of Hoff-Barthelson Music School. “It is through this shared commitment that our students are able to grow as musicians and as confident, creative individuals. Their success reflects the spirit of collaboration that defines Hoff-Barthelson.”
Dana Matsushita, Chair of the HBMS Board of Trustees, added, “Hoff-Barthelson’s strength lies in the extraordinary network of families, faculty, alumni, and friends who believe in the transformative power of music education. It was wonderful to see so many supporters come together to celebrate our students and reaffirm the School’s vital role in the cultural life of our community.”
Building On a Legacy
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The New Choral Society kicked off its new season with a performance of Vivaldi Gloria and Handel Coronation Anthems. (Photo credit: Tony Allen Photography)The New Choral Society (NCS) is back in town with all its glory, wonderful precision sounds, and the usual noticeable professionalism at many levels with six new choral singers, two new vocal soloists, and a different concertmaster for its first concert of the 2025-2026 season.
The 32nd season began earlier than in past years, on Sunday afternoon, October 26, in the sanctuary of the Hitchcock Presbyterian Church on Greenacres Avenue. The musicians, 48 singers and the 15-member orchestra with Elizabeth Lim-Dutton in the Violin 1 slot, replacing Una Tone who is now the concertmaster of Ragtime on Broadway, included two beautiful musical pieces—Vivaldi’s Gloria and Handel’s Coronation Anthems, all under the continued direction of Dr. John T. King, Artistic Director and Conductor for all those years.
Emma Marhefka, soprano, and Ashly Brown, mezzo soprano, were both excellent in their first performances with NCS. They sang a glorious duet of "Laudamus te." Ms. Marhefka sang a lovely, lilting "Domine Deus" and Ms. Brown sang a fiery "Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris." Ms. Brown also performed "Domine Deus, Agnus Dei" with the chorus.
Dr. Frayda Lindemann, benefactor of the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program of the Metropolitan Opera, was in attendance to support the chorus and young soloists, whom she greeted warmly backstage. Emma Marhefka is in her first year of the Lindemann Program.
“BRAVO,” which means “well done!” and “excellent!” is the only way to describe the first performance of its 32nd season. Without missing a beat, King is continuing to build on a well- deserved and marvelous legacy that he started when he founded NCS in 1994.
Next-up for NCS, and to usher in the holiday season, will be the always-to-look-forward-to annual performances of Handel’s Messiah, Part 1 on Friday, December 5 and Sunday, December 7. Tickets are going fast at www.newchoralsociety.org.
Dr. John T. King backstage with soloists Emma Marhefka and Ashlyn Brown.
