ABOUT THE 70TH ANNUAL CHOIR FESTIVAL in OCEAN GROVE

  • A mass choir of singers from all over the northeast

  • Renowned conductors leading 10 great anthems

  • The Great Auditorium Quartet

  • Brass Ensemble

  • Dr. Gordon Turk on the Great Auditorium organ

Registration

There is no charge to register for this event. A free will offering will be taken during the service.

Registration Deadline is June 30, 2024 to ensure inclusion in the festival program.

www.oceangrove.org/choir-festival

EVENT DAY INFORMATION

Concert Day Schedule

See below for the schedule of events throughout the day of the Choir Festival.

Dinner Options

1) Preorder your dinner by July 1

  • Preordered dinners will be served in the Youth Temple.

  • Menu Choices to Pre-Order, Pick one! Catered by the Downstairs Kitchen

    • Beef Brisket BBQ

    • Salmon w/ Summer Fruit Salsa

    • Mediterranean Chicken Burger with Cucumbers & Tzatziki Sauce

    • *Vegetarian - Grilled Portobello Mushrooms

  • Side Choices - served family style

    • Potato Salad

    • Pasta Salad with fresh mozz, cherry tomato, olives & peppers

    • Grilled Corn Salad with fresh mozz, cherry tomato & basil

  • Dessert Bar

  • Assorted Desserts

  • Meals include a choice of water, iced tea or lemonade

    Preorder here.

2) Local Options

There are restaurants within walking distance in Ocean Grove or Asbury Park. Reservations strongly advised.

Choir Festival Attire

For the Festival, women should wear all white or white tops and black bottoms; men should wear a white shirt, a black tie, and black slacks. (If you are planning to sing in the choir during Sunday morning worship, any church-appropriate attire is acceptable.)

Travel and Parking

Groups Traveling By Bus or Van

We strongly encourage you to join with other singers from your area and come to Ocean Grove in a bus or van. Call 732-387-7290 by June 9 to register your van or bus and obtain information on loading sites and reserved parking.

Automobile Parking

Parking for this event is street parking only. Please arrive in advance to secure a spot.

Extremely limited handicapped parking is available onsite. Groups are encouraged to carpool.

Directions To Ocean Grove

Directions to the Great Auditorium can be obtained at oceangrove.org/directions or by Google Maps.

Rehearsals

In Ocean Grove

Half of the anthems will be rehearsed at each rehearsal, assuring a skillful and confident learning of each work.

Regional Rehearsals

Several choirs extend invitations for choir participants in their area. If you are willing to host open rehearsals in your area, please email president@ogchoir.org. A map of regional rehearsals will be posted on the choir website at oceangrove.org/choir-singers.

Online Rehearsal Resource

Rehearsal notes and playlist will be available at oceangrove.org/choir-singers.

Prior To The Festival

Anthems should be learned before attending the 1 PM rehearsal on the Festival day.

Festival Day Rehearsal

Ten minutes is allotted for rehearsal of each anthem.

CHOIR FESTIVAL ANTHEMS

(All Are SATB voicing)

Title, Composer / Arranger, Publisher:

There Shall a Star from Jacob Come Forth, Mendelssohn, Neal A. Kjos Music

Lift up your Heads, Joseph Martin, Shawnee Press

Salvation is Created, Tschesnokoff arr. Ehret

This is Christmastide, Frasier, Hinshaw Music

You do not Walk Alone, E. Hagenberg, Beckenhost Press

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, G. Martin, Presser Music

Empty Now, Joseph M. Martin, Shawnee Press

At the Name of Jesus, Claussen, Mark Foster Music

Praise His Holy Name, Hampton, Earthsongs

Hallelujah Chorus, Handel, Oliver Ditson Music

OBTAINING MUSIC

Participants are responsible for obtaining their own music.

Music from Your Own Library

If you are using anthems from your own library, be sure that the publisher, composer/arranger, and version (SATB) match the list above.

Ordering Music

Packet cost is $19.50 plus shipping & handling. To order, contact Loser’s Music, Inc. and ask for the OGCMA 70th Annual Choir Festival packet.

Phone: 800-522-2600

Email: losers@lmf.net

Web: Click here.

2024 Choir Festival Schedule

9 AM Bible Hour with Pastor Vito Aiuto

Kickstart your Saturday in the Bishop Janes Tabernacle with us at Bible Hour. Bible Hour features singing, uplifting scripture readings, edifying and thought-provoking teachings, and a welcoming fellowship!

10 AM Welcome for Families and Singers

Join us for this gathering of choristers, family and friends, featuring complimentary Continental Brunch in the Auditorium Pavilion

10:30 AM Free Time (2 hours)

Take this opportunity to explore Ocean Grove

1) Visit the beach, ocean and boardwalk

2) Explore the HUB (27 Pilgrim Pathway, across the park from the Great Auditorium)

• Shop Christian Books and Gifts

• Pick up the self-guided walking tour

• Join a tour of the Great Auditorium (until 11:15 AM)

3) Patronize Main Avenue and downtown shops and eateries: Cheese on Main, Odyssey Coffee, Tino’s Artisan Pizza Company, several great gift shops, barber shop, Sea Grass fine seafood.

4) Stop by West Grove Plaza (across from Ocean Grove’s Main Avenue gate): Burger King, Jersey Mike’s, Crab House, and conveniences including Rite Aid and 7 Eleven.

12 – 6:30 PM Changing Areas Available

Youth Temple basement, 21 Pilgrim Pathway

12 PM Lunch

Bring your own, or seek out local sources; see #3 and #4 above.

Bishop Janes Tabernacle will be open for rest and eating.

12:30 PM Great Auditorium Doors Open

for Festival Participant Check-in

Follow Signs to your SATB section

12:30 PM Boogie Board Races

An opportunity for family and friends who are not singing in the choir. Bring your boogie board to North End Beach and register on the sand.

1 PM Rehearsal (3 hours; required)

Great Auditorium. Chorister check-in available for latecomers

Options for Family members and Friends during rehearsal

1 – 4 PM Tour Centennial Cottage

McClintock & Central Avenues

1 – 4 PM Historical Society Museum and Walking Tour

50 Pitman Avenue

1 – 4 PM View Historical Videos/Films

Bishop Janes Tabernacle

2:30 PM Gospel Music Ministry

Boardwalk Pavilion

4 PM Dinner (pre-order required by 7/1)

Hosted by OGCMA in the Youth Temple;

See oceangrove.org/choir-singers for details about pre-ordering.

4 – 7 PM Strawberry Festival

Auditorium Pavilion. Admission fee required.

4 – 7 PM Summer Stroll

Hosted by the Ocean Grove Chamber of Commerce, 39 Pilgrim Pathway (oceangrovenj.com)

6 PM Choir Arrives for Seating

Great Auditorium

7 PM 70th Annual Choir Festival

Great Auditorium