Women singers for Orpheus Club Men's Chorus? Yes, says new director

Marsha A. Stoltz, NorthJersey.com
·2 min read

RIDGEWOOD ― Is there room for women's voices in a tenor/bass choir? The new director of the 114-year-old Orpheus Club Men's Chorus thinks so.

Thomas Juneau will take his first bow as the new Orpheus director on June 8, when the chorus performs a program of "Americana" tunes at the village's Kasschau Memorial Shell. He succeeds John Palatucci, who directed his final performance with the chorus on April 30 after 33 years with the organization.

"It's an honor to become their director," Juneau said. "I've worked with them before, and written music for them. We hope to continue their great traditions while exploring and creating some new ones."

Among the new traditions Juneau wants to explore will be adding women singers to what up to now has been an all men's chorus.

Thomas Juneau will officially take on diretor duties with Ridgewood's Orpheus Club Men's Chorus at their June 8 concert in the Village's Kasschau Shell. He was named director of choral activies and assistant professor at Wagner College in 2021.
Thomas Juneau will officially take on diretor duties with Ridgewood's Orpheus Club Men's Chorus at their June 8 concert in the Village's Kasschau Shell. He was named director of choral activies and assistant professor at Wagner College in 2021.

"I'm hoping we'll make that shift. It's at the top of my list," Juneau said. "At Wagner College, I encouraged anyone who wanted to participate to join our EnHarmonic, formerly MenHarmonic. We have some fantastic altos singing Tenor 1 in the group, and I think it is stellar. I think everyone will be amenable as we move forward."

In addition to his duties as assistant professor and director of choral activities at Wagner College, Juneau is music director of the Summit Chorale and director of music ministry for Our Lady of Czestochowa in Jersey City.

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The self-described "choir nerd" grew up singing with groups in Houston, Texas. He eventually gained a bachelor's degree in music from Texas Tech, followed by a master's of music in choral conducting from the University of Cincinnati and a doctorate of musical arts in choral conducting from Rutgers.

"Coming out of COVID, many choirs are finding new direction as society changes," Juneau said. "I am very optimistic about it. It's an evolutionary environment. I like to tour and hope we find regional, national and international opportunities to collaborate."

The Orpheus Club Men's Chorus will debut with its new director at Ridgewood's Kasschau Memorial Shell on June 8.
The Orpheus Club Men's Chorus will debut with its new director at Ridgewood's Kasschau Memorial Shell on June 8.

Orpheus President Sam Shaw said the chorus has "not had any women ask to sing tenor or bass yet, but there is always a first time."

"These times we live in are certainly much different than the early days of Orpheus in the first half of the 20th century," Shaw said. "It's going to be great to get back to the Shell, and it's going to be extra special as we will be conducted by our new music director."

The chorus rehearses Wednesdays at the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, 113 Cottage Place, at Franklin Avenue. For more information on joining, visit ridgewoodorpheusclub.org. The Kasschau Memorial Shell is at 125 N. Maple Ave., and the June 8 performance begins at 8:30 p.m.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Orpheus Club Men's Chorus to include women, new director says