North Shore Pops Concert Band back at New Utrecht for holiday performance

BROOKLYN - The North Shore Pops Concert Band entertains Bensonhurst residents and others during a free performance featuring traditional holiday favorites in the Parish House at the New Utrecht Reformed Church Saturday, Dec. 13.

This is the third year the North Shore Pops has visited New Utrecht. The concert, with Maestro Eric R. Albinder conducting, is sponsored by Friends of Historic New Utrecht. It starts at 7:30 p.m. Parking is available in the church lot, on 18th Ave. between 83rd and 84th Streets. Subway and buses are nearby. Light refreshment will be served after the concert.

In addition to the holiday favorites, the North Shore Pops draws on an extensive repertoire of crowd-pleasing music, including popular songs, Broadway showtunes, patriotic marches, operetta and light classical pieces. Founded over 20 years ago, the all-volunteer group has attracted the talents of gifted musicians from big bands, Broadway theater and symphony orchestras who have set the tone and style that marks the North Shore Pops' success.

The Parish House where the concert takes place is noted for its outstanding acoustics as well as for its history and famous architecture. The sanctuary structure next door, built in 1828, is undergoing a $2 million restoration and repair. The New Utrecht Reformed Church was established in 1677. It is a member of the Reformed Church in America (RCA), the smallest of the mainline Protestant denominations. The pastor is the Rev. Terry Troia, executive director of Project Hospitality on Staten Island.

The holiday concert is one of many community events sponsored by the Friends historical organization each year. Most are educational in nature providing for school children "living history lessons" on the earliest days of Brooklyn and the nation. Information on the concert and other programs is available at (718) 256-7173 and on the Web site historicnewutrecht.org.

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