[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 85 (Friday, June 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO THE NORTH JERSEY PHILHARMONIC GLEE CLUB

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                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 18, 2004

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a cultural treasure 
in my district, the North Jersey Philharmonic Glee Club, as they 
celebrate their long and distinguished history on Saturday, June 19, 
2004, with their 65th Anniversary Concert, ``The Sounds of Broadway.''
  The North Jersey Philharmonic Glee Club remains dedicated to the 
preservation of male choral singing in America. Its members are unpaid, 
drawn to participation through their love of choral music alone.
  Formed in 1939, the North Jersey Philharmonic Glee Club is one of the 
oldest all male singing groups in the Mid-Atlantic States. The group 
performs a wide variety of music, but maintains a focus on African 
American and European Classical music for the majority of its 
repertoire.
  The group's performances reach audiences throughout New Jersey in 
schools, colleges and universities, churches, nursing homes, hospitals, 
health centers, community centers, and countless other venues where 
people gather to enjoy the rich culture of our State.
  During the Post-World War II era, the Glee Club regularly performed 
on WNJR radio, and in one of its more memorable performances of that 
period, the chorus shared the stage with the great Paul Robeson. During 
the 70s and 80s, the Glee Club's performances paying tribute to African 
American composers were regularly featured on Suburban Cable (now 
Comcast) and the New Jersey Network (NJN).
  Most recently, the Glee Club has appeared in programs that included 
Harry Belafonte, Smokey Robinson, Ben Vereen, Savion Glover, and gospel 
legend Shirley Caesar. They have performed at the White House, Lincoln 
Center, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), the Smithsonian 
Institution, the National Cathedral, Riverside Church, the Schomberg 
Center in New York City, and the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart 
in my home town of Newark.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in extending thanks to the North Jersey 
Philharmonic Glee Club for their contributions to the cultural life of 
our community, and I invite my colleagues to join me in sending our 
congratulations as they celebrate 65 years of musical excellence.

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