Podcast Summary: "Caroling with the West Village Chorale"
ALL OF IT with Alison Stewart, WNYC
Release Date: December 24, 2024

ALL OF IT on WNYC presents a heartwarming Christmas Eve episode featuring a special collaboration with the West Village Chorale. Hosted by Alison Stewart, this episode seamlessly blends festive music with intimate conversations, offering listeners an enriching glimpse into the cultural tapestry of New York City through the lens of a dedicated choir.

Introduction

The episode opens with Alison Stewart setting the festive tone:
"We've come to our final segment this Christmas Eve, and we can think of no better way of closing than with some music, and I mean Christmas carols." ([00:08])

She introduces the West Village Chorale, highlighting their live performance recorded earlier in the month ahead of their holiday concert and caroling walk. Stewart invites listeners to relax and enjoy the musical showcase, emphasizing the communal and joyful spirit of the evening.

Meet the Chorale Members

Alison Stewart takes a moment to introduce the members of the West Village Chorale, allowing each singer to share their personal connection to the group:

• Lauren Silber ([02:54]) from the West Village shares,
  "I love to sing, especially in a group. It's just a magical experience that can't be duplicated."

• Diane Patterson ([03:12] & [04:05]) from Brooklyn expresses her passion,
  "When I'm having a rough day, I sing. And music is just wonderful."
  She later adds,
  "I love making music with others, and I love being in community with them every week."

• Katherine Schoonover ([03:13]), an alto from the West Village, highlights the choir as a family:
  "There’s a real community. And our choir is a family."

• Justin Beck ([03:50]) from Washington Heights, a professional singer, notes,
  "I love to sing because it revives the soul."

• John Herzfeld ([04:19]) from Chelsea shares his lifelong love for music,
  "Singing allows me to actually be part of making music and not just listening to it."

• Joe Haydam ([04:56]), a tenor since 2018, values the cooperative spirit:
  "I love this group in particular for the community and for the sort of cooperative spirit."

• Liam McNamara ([05:10]), a tenor from New Jersey, finds solace in creating beauty,
  "It allows me to escape from whatever else is going on."

• Sandra Ward ([05:29]), a soprano and former dancer from Greenwich Village, points out the holistic benefits of singing:
  "It's good for mind, body, and spirit."

• Katie Fitzgerald ([05:53] & [06:20]) from Westchester admires the group dynamics,
  "There is so much you can do as a group that you can't do by yourself. It’s a wonderful community."

• Suzanne Hartman ([06:20]) of 47 years in Greenwich Village emphasizes lifelong engagement with music,
  "Learning new music helps my brain to grow, and I really love it like that."

• Yamin Zhao ([06:41]) from Chelsea, in his first season, finds joy in singing,
  "Singing brings me joy as well."

• Henkel Esbach ([07:01]), the guest conductor, reflects on his role,
  "I love to bring people together and make music together as a community."

These introductions underscore the choir's diverse yet unified community, each member bringing their unique passion and story to the ensemble.

Live Performances

The West Village Chorale delights listeners with live renditions of classic Christmas carols, showcasing their harmonious blend and festive spirit.

1. "Deck the Halls" ([00:53])
   Justin Beck leads a joyful rendition, inviting listeners to join in the celebration:
   "Deck the halls with boughs of holly... Tis the season to be surely."

2. "Night of Silence" & "Silent Nights" ([07:27])
   The choir combines original compositions by Daniel Kantor with traditional melodies, creating a serene atmosphere.

3. "What Was Jesus Born In?" ([11:31])
   A spiritual piece highlighting the historical and cultural significance of Christmas, originally recorded in 1950 by Vera Hall Ward as part of the Ethnic Folkways Library Project.

4. "Silver Bells" ([15:16])
   Justin Beck enchants listeners with a vibrant performance:
   "It's Christmas time in the city... Hear the snow crush."

5. "Joy to the World" ([20:20])
   A powerful arrangement celebrating the festive spirit:
   "Joy to the world, the Lord is come... It was the last month in the year."

6. "Get Your Butt Back in the Seat" ([21:45])
   An upbeat closing number that energizes the audience for the holiday season.

Choral Insights

Throughout the episode, Alison Stewart engages with the chorale members, delving into their experiences and the choir's impact:

• Rehearsal Schedule ([17:48])
  Diane Patterson outlines their weekly practice routine:
  "We practice once a week on Tuesday night at Judson at 7pm from 7pm to 9:45. When we're doing a concert, we go to 10."

• Auditions and Inclusivity ([17:52] & [18:30])
  The choir emphasizes openness to new members:
  "We will be hosting auditions on January 7th... we leave that to Dr. Britt, he's wonderful at getting voices that marry in with the ones that he already has." ([18:38])

• Upcoming Concerts ([19:03] & [19:03])
  Katie Fitzgerald outlines their three annual concerts:

  • December: Holiday Concert
  • March: Requiem featuring Gabrielle Foray’s Requiem and Joelle Thompson’s Seven Last Words of the Unarmed
  • May: Transatlantic, celebrating songs from both sides of the Atlantic in preparation for a trip to Spain and Portugal in July.

Diane Patterson encourages prospective members to audition, reassuring them of their abilities:
"I don't have the skill level to audition, make it, make a pitch. Say, yeah, you do." ([18:30])

These discussions highlight the choir's dedication to musical excellence, community engagement, and cultural exploration.

Choir Insights on Venue and Community

Diane Patterson and Katie Fitzgerald provide insights into the choir’s performance venue and its significance:

• Judson Memorial Church ([14:22])
  Diane praises the venue:
  "The acoustics are wonderful. We sound great."
  She describes it as a historic and integral part of the arts community.

• Historical Significance ([14:48])
  Katie adds,
  "The building is actually a historic landmark designed by Stanford White. The space itself is gorgeous and the acoustic is from 1892."
  She emphasizes its longstanding role in fostering the arts.

Henkel Esbach touches on the leadership within the choir:
"Hank, always music director." ([15:09])

Community Reception and Engagement

The episode features a heartfelt listener interaction, where a caller praises the segment:
"This is the best segment, the most New York City segment I've heard today. I just wanted to call in and say thank you." ([14:06])

This moment underscores the choir's impact on the community and its role in embodying the cultural vibrancy of New York City.

Conclusion

As the episode draws to a close, Alison Stewart encapsulates the essence of the evening: a harmonious blend of music and community spirit. She acknowledges the West Village Chorale's contribution to the cultural landscape, celebrating their performances and the stories behind the singers. The episode concludes with a final performance, leaving listeners with the warm, festive melodies emblematic of the holiday season.

ALL OF IT successfully captures the intersection of culture, community, and music, offering a rich and engaging experience that resonates with both choir enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "I love to sing, especially in a group. It's just a magical experience that can't be duplicated." — Lauren Silber ([02:54])

• "When I'm having a rough day, I sing. And music is just wonderful." — Diane Patterson ([03:12])

• "Singing allows me to actually be part of making music and not just listening to it." — John Herzfeld ([04:19])

• "It's good for mind, body, and spirit." — Sandra Ward ([05:29])

• "We leave that to Dr. Britt, he's wonderful at getting voices that marry in with the ones that he already has." — Diane Patterson ([18:38])

• "This is the best segment, the most New York City segment I've heard today. I just wanted to call in and say thank you." — Listener ([14:06])

This episode exemplifies ALL OF IT’s mission to engage creators and consumers of culture, celebrating the myriad ways music fosters community and enriches lives in the heart of New York City.