Angelic voices travel from choir hall near church

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On Wednesday evenings, the sounds of Antonín Dvorák’s “Mass in D major” or his less-ecclesiastical “Songs of Nature” drift through the doors of a choir hall next to Christ Church on Henry Hudson Parkway East. 

These sounds are the voices of the members of the Riverdale Choral Society, a welcoming group of people who celebrate the culture of music in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. The group comprises a wide range of people, from young adults to seniors – a diversity of singers that provides a wide range of voices.

The choral group was founded in 1964 and continues to be a presence in Riverdale today. Despite the location of its practices and performances, the society is independent of any educational or religious institution. 

Of the society’s 52 years of existence, the current conductor, John Lettieri, has been its leader for the past eight. A teacher and orchestra conductor at the Riverdale Country School, with 18 years of previous experience as an accompanist, Lettieri brings his expertise to the choir and uses it to unite the singers in harmony. 

“I consider [my job] more than just teaching,” he said. “I consider it making them into a performing group. I like seeing people who know a lot about music and some people who know very little come together, and by the end of a few months, they are able to put together a really wonderful concert of music singing together. It’s my favorite thing to see that happen.” 

The volunteer society encourages people to come by and join. The rehearsals that take place on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. are open for anyone who wishes to drop by and see what it is all about in a commitment-free visit. Newcomers walk into a room with high ceilings, a circular formation of chairs with a piano at its center, and are handed music and invited to join. For many of the choir members, the familial, warm environment is a characteristic of the group they say they enjoy most. 

Three-year choir attendee Margaret Mahon said her favorite feature of the group is “the camaraderie.” 

“It’s a very amenable group,” she said. “I’m not very musical but I try my best. I am learning.” 

On the other end of the spectrum is choral society member Anne Clear, who has a bit more experience, having been in the choir for ten years. Her favorite aspects of the group include some of the same features Ms. Mahon found endearing. 

“I just find it a very friendly place to come and sing.” Ms. Clear  said. “I like that it’s smaller, that it’s a friendly group, and that it includes people of all different musical levels… and the way the conductor nurtures people and brings those along who haven’t had a lot of experience.” 

James Onyango, another choral society member, has been with the choir since 1998. “I am actually the church custodian, so I maintain the buildings and problems here so it’s very convenient for me… to come here. I’ve enjoyed choral singing since grade school for the love of music,” he said. 

The Riverdale Choral Society will continue to practice on Wednesday evenings in preparation for a concert scheduled for Dec. 4.

Christ Church, Meghan Sackman

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