
Ocean Grove NJ, John Palatucci, music director of the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus of Ridgewood appeared on Sunday, July 14, 2019, as a guest conductor at the 2019 Ocean Grove Choir Festival. He led the men of the choir in the “Pilgrims’ Chorus” from Richard Wagner’s opera Tannhäuser. Mr. Palatucci’s invitation was extended by Dr. Jason Tramm, music director in residence at the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association.
Now in its 65th year, the Ocean Grove Choir Festival, a beloved New Jersey tradition, is part of the music ministry of the larger Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, itself celebrating its 150th anniversary.
The festival is one of the most significant summer music programs on the East Coast, annually drawing over 6,000 singers and audience members to the camp ground’s historic Great Auditorium. The festival choir was accompanied by brass and percussion along with the 10,000-pipe organ played by Dr. Gordon Turk.
A performer on trombone, euphonium and a vocalist as well as an instrumental and choral conductor, clinician, and consultant, Mr. Palatucci is a career professional musician and music educator who holds bachelor and master degrees from Montclair State College and NJEXCEL.
Mr. Palatucci, a resident of Verona, NJ, has performed throughout the northeastern United States including New York City’s Lincoln Center, and in Europe. He is an associate conductor of the New Jersey Wind Symphony since 1983, and is entering his 29th year as music director of the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus.
In the early eighties he was this commenter’s BF concert band director. He was and is the goods! Awesome Eupho player.