North Shore Pops Offers Free Holiday Concert at New Utrecht

Immediate Release

BROOKLYN - Friends of Historic New Utrecht announces its traditional holiday concert at the New Utrecht Reformed Church Saturday, Dec. 16, will feature the North Shore Pops Concert Band. Again this year, cultural and educational programs sponsored by the historic organization cannot be held in the main church building as a $2 million renovation continues to repair and restore the famous Brooklyn landmark. The concert, at 8 p.m. in the adjacent Parish House at 18th Ave. and 84th St., is free. Parking is available in the church complex, with bus and subway stops nearby.

Also on the church grounds Dec. 16, the New Utrecht church is presenting its annual "Living Nativity" with live animals in a manger scene. Church members and others, including Boy Scouts, dressed in costume, participate from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. as Christmas music fills the air.

Friends president Robert Buonvino says Brian P. Worsdale, founder and conductor of the ISO Symphonic Band and music coordinator for the Friends organization, arranged for the North Shore Pops concert at the New Utrecht historic complex this year. He will join with the other musicians, many of whom are from famous big bands, including the Benny Goodman Orchestra and the Guy Lombardo Band.

Begun in Glen Cove more than 20 years ago, the North Shore Pops, with Maestro Eric R. Albinder, has featured performers from Broadway shows and the New York Philharmonic as it presents lively and entertaining renditions of popular songs, Broadway show tunes, American classics and light classical favorites. At the Bensonhurst concert, Christmas songs will be "in the air."

"We hope that with additional funding, we'll be able to have the main church building open in time for a Christmas concert in 2007," Mr. Buonvino said. "We also hope to be able to expand our concert program to offer a number of concerts outside, near 18th Avenue, during the year, perhaps during the summer months," he added.

A historic landmark in Brooklyn, the New Utrecht Reformed Church was founded in 1677. The building being repaired dates from 1828. The Parish House where the concert is being held has its own history, famous for stained-glass windows and architecture. More information on Brooklyn's earliest years is available at www.historicnewutrecht.org.

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December 2006