Mark Miller/The Good News Community Choir

The Good News Community Choir under the direction of Mark Miller is a dynamic new ensemble that formed in October 2007, in Plainfield, NJ.  It is an intentionally inclusive multicultural and multiethnic group, welcoming people of all ages, races, sexual orientations, and abilities.  Members come from multiple churches throughout the metropolitan area including students from Drew University.

The choir had its second appearance to a full house at Carnegie Hall in December and has performed to rave reviews in churches in Plainfield.

The choir’s repertoire reflects it’s central theme of social justice and that God’s love is meant for all people. Many of the songs they sing are composed by their director.

Mark Miller has been composing and conducting choirs for 20 years.  He is instructor of sacred music and Director of Music for the Theological School at Drew University and is Lecturer in the Practice of Sacred Music at the Institute of Sacred Music at Yale University.  Miller was the director of the Marble Collegiate Gospel Choir of New York, NY, until June 2007, concluding his five year tenure with the choir with a goodwill tour to South Africa, performing across that region at churches and schools.  Miller is also a composer and has published over 30 of his anthems for choirs, and is on the Hymnal Revision Committee for the new United Methodist Hymnal. He received his BA in Music from Yale University and Masters of Music in Organ Performance from the Juilliard School.

For more information about the new gospel choir, contact Miller at 908-756-2684 or by e-mail at mamiller@drew.edu.

Newark Boys Chorus

The Newark Boys Chorus (NBC) is a world-renowned performing group recognized widely for its artistry. The Chorus is comprised of students who are in 6th, 7th and 8th grades at the Newark Boys Chorus School.  The Chorus has a diverse repertoire that include African folk songs, classical music (Renaissance to 20th century), spirituals, contemporary show tunes, pop music and jazz.

The Chorus performs at venues throughout the USA and conducts an international tour every third year. Thus far, its travels have included Japan, Australia, South Africa, Russia, China, New Zealand, Finland, Latvia, Great Britain and the Czech Republic. There is no question the travel and accompanying social interaction are major factors in giving NBC School students poise, maturity and greater self-worth. Also, the rigorous musical training serves as a model for the importance of the arts as a tool for educational growth. The level of discipline, commitment, hard work and group effort instilled in and required of the boys is vital to their success. All students are required to participate in choral groups and all performances.

Triad Vocal Ensemble

The Triad Vocal Ensemble (TVE) was founded in 1992 by Scott Griffith and Virginia Johnston and is based in north/central New Jersey. This 20-voice mixed adult choir is comprised of professional musicians as well as talented amateur singers.  Currently conducted by Ms. Johnston, the ensemble prepares one program annually and performs concerts both on its own and with other musicians at the annual Canticles for Life AIDS Benefit Concerts each spring.  Their repertoire features accessible contemporary pieces as well as traditional anthems, with a focus on area composers.  In fact, the group has premiered numerous works by past and present members of the ensemble, local New Jersey composers, and both Ms. Johnston and accompanist Dan Crisci. Other New Jersey composers featured on past Triad programs include Heskel Brisman, Richard Lovallo, Mark Miller and David Rimelis as well as poet James Haba.