Members
List of Members | Section Contacts | Rehearsal Accompanist
Responsibilities | Past Music Directors | Past Presidents
For information on how to become a member of GNCS, see Come Sing with Us
Music Director
Dr. Virginia Davidson
![]() |
President Michele Morrison |
Board of Directors
Ann Behrendt, Marcia Belgorod, Giovanna Denaro, Ingrid Elefant, Maria Rua Felix, Diane Garcia, Joan Gartner, Deborah Greene, Gilda Hecht, Shirley Horowitz, Nancy Leavitt, Lawrence Merson, Michele Morrison, Evelyn Oberstein, Hermine Plotnick, Ellen Rosen, Claude Springer, Richard Whitney.
Chorus Members
# on leave
SOPRANOS
Marcia Belgorod, Lynne Chrapliwy, Karen Drake, Maria Rua Felix, Diane Garcia, Deborah Greene, Mitzi Jonas, Nancy Leavitt,
Renée Levy,
Michele Morrison, Evelyn Oberstein, Ellen Rosen, Kathy Siff, Mary Lou Solliday, Eva Winsberg.
ALTOS
Lilah Alexander, Beatrice Aubrey, Marjorie Bartels, Ann Behrendt, Nancy Braman, Judith Brook, Giovanna Denaro,
Ingrid Elefant, Sylvia Ettinger, Irene Feinberg, Renée Altman Fleischer, Germaine Fontaine, Joan Gartner, Fran Gordon, Gilda Hecht, Shirley Horowitz, Carolyn Minionis, Joan Schussheim, Emily Stern, Barbara Taffet, Alma Whitney.
TENORS
Joan Baum, Charles Boehme, Alex Guerrara, Michael Leavitt, Richard Levin, Edward Moulin, Hermine Plotnick, Lawrence Schwartz, James L. Shepherd, Sam Shohen, Seth Winsberg.
BASSES
David Aubrey, Simmy Bank, #Roy C. Bennett, Paul Drake, Robert D. Goldman, Ladd Jeffers, Lawrence Levin, Robert Macus, Lawrence Merson, William L. Nash,
Herman Soifer, Claude Springer, Jack L. Stark, Lawrence Waite, Richard A. Whitney, Thomas Wood.
Section Contacts
In each section of the chorus there is a member who has been appointed to serve as a central contact for his or her section. Phone that person if you must miss, or be late for, a rehearsal--or to get answers to any questions of procedure. The section contacts are:
Our Accompanist and Organist
![]() Guy Brewer |
Guy Brewer has been organist and choirmaster of Zion Episcopal Church in Douglaston, Queens for the past ten years. Possessed of a beautiful tenor voice, he has also sung in, and directed, the Russian Chamber Chorus of New York, located in Manhattan. |
Responsibilities
It takes discipline and money to prepare and give a satisfying choral performance. A member who misses rehearsals, is obviously inattentive or disruptive, or who for other reasons becomes a "drag" on his or her section may be asked to leave the chorus. As to money, the only obligation of a member is to pay the annual dues. However, as indicated below, a successful performance requires that many members go beyond the minimum.
Rehearsals
Regular attendance at rehearsals is essential. We recognize that personal conflicts--including, sometimes, a well-earned vacation--can arise. But the
Conductor is empowered to dismiss anyone who misses an excessive number of rehearsals. It is particularly important to mark on the calendar the dates of the
extra, or "dress," rehearsals that may be scheduled immediately prior to a performance.
On-time arrival at rehearsals is also important. Normal rehearsals start at 7:30 pm, with a 10-minute vocal warmup. This is important to prevent vocal straining--and
poor sound--during the rehearsal. A member who has difficulty being "on the dot" because of inflexible work or train schedules should explain his or her problem
to the President to avoid misunderstanding of his or her level of commitment.
During rehearsal it is imporant be be attentive to the comments and instructions of the Conductor, and to avoid chatter that may cause those comments and
instructions to be unheard. It is also important to mark in the score the dynamics that reflect the Conductor's interpretation of the music.
Home Study
Those who are excellent "readers" may never have to pick up a score between rehearsals. But for the majority--merely adequate or even poor readers--it is
essential to study key portions of the score at least once between rehearsals. Otherwise, the Conductor has to spend an inordinate amount of time getting the
notes right, with little time left for imparting dynamics and other elements of interpretation.
It is also desirable to obtain a recording of the piece (or pieces) to be sung if one is available. Where different recordings are available, the Conductor may
express a preference for a particular one, but any recording is better than none. From a recording it is possible to see how the voices fit together and how they
work with the orchestra. A recording can also help in learning the notes. For some pieces it is possible to obtain a special tape or CD on which a particular
part, say the alto part, is emphasized--a great help in the note-learning process.
Concerts
The "look" of a chorus is important. The Great Neck Choral Society has standardized its concert attire as follows.
Because of the tight quarters in a concert, and because some members may have severe allergies, It is important not to wear
perfume or after-shave lotion.
Cooperation is needed in setting up for, and "breaking down" after, a concert. Volunteers will usually be solicited to set up chairs or help make other physical
arrangements at the concert venue and to restore the premises to pre-concert order. Such work often is needed also at the site of a dress rehearsal.
Volunteers--typically drawn from members' families--will also be sought to sell and take tickets at the door.
Financial Support
Every member is required to pay annual dues, collectible in September. The amount currently is $175. There are discounted dues of $250 for a
couple and $50 for a student.
Each member is also expected to sell tickets. This obviously is important to the financial health of the group. But equally important is having a decent-sized
audience to appreciate the results of our hard work.
Members can also help by recruiting financial supporters at various contribution levels, by selling ads for the concert program, and by participating in miscellaneous
fund-raising activities. One way to contribute is to buy gift supermarket cards from the group. We get these from retailers at a 5% discount, which means
that we can clear $50 for each $1,000 you spend at the supermarket.
Recruitment
One of the most important things you can do for the Great Neck Choral Society is to bring in a new member. Persuade him or her to attend a concert, then turn on the charm.
Past Music Directors
| 1998- | Virginia Davidson |
| 1993-1998 | Bart Folse |
| 1982-1993 | Johannes Somary |
| 1962-1982 | George V. Rose |
| 1957-1962 | Martin Josman |
Past Presidents
| 2003-- | Michele Morrison* |
| 1999-2003 | Ellen Rosen* |
| 1995-1999 | William Bungarz |
| 1994-1995 | Deborah Green* |
| 1985-1994 | Nancy Leavitt* |
| 1984-1985 | Gloria Solomon |
| 1982-1984 | Gilda Hecht* |
| 1978-1982 | Flora Horowitz |
| 1975-1978 | Claude Springer* |
| 1973-1975 | Lawrence Merson* |
| 1971-1973 | Roy Bennett* |
| 1968-1971 | Shirley Horowitz* |
| 1966-1968 | Miriam Pincus |
| 1964-1966 | Rita Schwartz |
| 1962-1964 | Ann Behrendt* |
| 1960-1962 | Theda Shore |