Huntington Men’s Chorus celebrates 75th anniversary with annual holiday concert
By Jennifer Donatelli
The Huntington Men’s Chorus invited audiences to experience the magic of the holidays through song. Celebrating its 75th anniversary, the chorus filled the air at St. Francis of Assisi R.C. Church in Greenlawn on Sunday, Dec. 8, with festive cheer, bringing together timeless carols, beautiful harmonies and the warmth of community in its annual holiday concert.
The program featured an array of holiday favorites such as Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” “Go Tell It on the Mountain” and “Ave Maria.” The group also paid tribute to Harry Chapin by performing a medley of his most famous works.
The Huntington Men’s Chorus was founded in 1949 by several local LIRR riders who were members of the University Glee Club in New York City and often entertained fellow commuters with songs.
The chorus has grown from a modest group of 34 men into a vibrant ensemble that attracts singers with a wide range of musical experience. A beloved fixture in Huntington’s arts scene, the group offers both its members and the community a chance to experience the transformative power of music. Members travel from across Long Island and Brooklyn to meet every Wednesday evening from 7:45 to 10 p.m. for rehearsals.
Describing themselves as “a brotherhood of men who love to perform the music of the world’s greatest composers,” the group includes members ranging in age from 35 to 85. Each brings their own musical background — some are professionals, others sing in church choirs and the rest are, as Carl Grasso, president and CEO of the chorus, puts it, “guys who sing in the shower but love to perform.”
Known for their exceptional voice-blending abilities and varied repertoire, the chorus brings together the best of classical, Broadway and contemporary choral music, creating memorable performances that resonate deeply with audiences.
Jim DiGiovanna, a first tenor from Medford, has been a member since 2008. When he first heard the chorus sing, he said he “loved every minute of it” and has been performing with the group “ever since.”
The ability to read music isn’t necessary; the group provides singers with music files of their parts which helps them prepare for each performance. Grasso says their main interest is in attracting men who desire to sing as part of the unique sound an all-men’s chorus creates.
Debbie Youngs-Brauner and her daughter Bella have been loyal supporters of the chorus, never missing a concert since her brother Christopher joined in 2003. Youngs-Brauner describes the performances as a wonderful way to unite the community during the holiday season.
Friends Joyce Moore from Huntington and Carol DeVoti from Greenlawn are also regular attendees. “It puts me in the holiday spirit,” says Moore, while DeVoti appreciates the unique touch of inviting the audience to sing along with the Christmas carols.
Members perform three concerts per year under the direction of conductor Henry McDonagh III, a three-time Grammy-nominated musician with more than 20 years of experience. McDonagh, a music teacher at Walter H. Crowley Intermediate School in Elmhurst, said music has always been a part of his life. “I love making music and I love hanging out with these awesome guys because they have such great personalities and musicianship,” he said.
Grasso said he hopes the choir will continue to entertain the people of Huntington and surrounding communities “for many years to come.”
For more information, go to www.huntingtonmenschorus.org. Upcoming shows include a free performance on Dec. 14 at Huntington Library and caroling up and down Main Street in Cold Spring Harbor on Dec. 21.
