The newly formed Diocesan Chamber Choir will present a 45-minute a cappella concert on Nov. 21, beginning at 8 p.m. in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Bernardsville. The concert series marks the first time the Chamber Choir has branched out into individual parishes. A free will offering will be taken and proceeds will benefit the music ministry of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish and the development of the Chamber Choir. Choral music in English and Latin ranging from the Renaissance to the 20th century will be conducted by Martha Nowik.

The Diocesan Chamber Choir was formed by Thomas DeLessio, diocesan director of Music, in the fall of 2001, to sing at the dedication of the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway. The choir consists of an auditioned group of singers from around the diocese, and currently contains 17 members.

According to De Lessio, "The original mission of the choir was to sing at select diocesan liturgies that the Diocesan Festival Choir had not traditionally sung at; and occasionally to join with the Festival Choir. That mission has developed further and now the choir seeks to share its music with parishes of the diocese for musical enjoyment and spiritual nourishment, but also as a way to raise funds for the music ministry of each host parish."

This concert is a first in a developing series. The Cathedral choirs with instruments will present a concert entitled Will You Be Ready? Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. in St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral, Metuchen. Tickets will be available after Nov. 17.

For information on this developing series, and for directions to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, visit the music ministry website by clicking here.