FESTIVAL CELEBRATION CHOIR CONCERT HISTORY                  

        Compiled by David Hains and Cenzi Brynolfson - Spring 2025 and Spring 2026

   Nov.1986: Celebrating Albany Tricentennial/Statue of Liberty Centennial

                       15TH Anniversary of Festival of Praise - at Church of St. Margaret Mary

                       J. Neil Hook – Director                Peter Mahigian – Accompanist

   Dec.1987: Christmas Concert: “Carols of the Nations” - Empire State Plaza Convention Center

                       J. Neil Hook - Director               Tom Savoy- Accompanist 

   Dec.1988: “For unto Us A Child Is Born, To Us A Son Is Given” -   St Margaret Mary Church

                       J. Neil Hook – Director               Tom Savoy - Accompanist

From 1986 through June 1996:   J. Neil Hook - Director     Tom Savoy – Accompanist

   June1989: “From Advent Through Pentecost” - Empire State Plaza Convention Center

                      Ralph G Toley - Guest Director   Peter Mahigian – Guest Accompanist

                      With St. Cecelia chamber Orchestra

   June 1990: Spring Concert - Temple Beth Emmeth   - Glenn Groper - Cantor

   June 1991: “Broadway Melodies” - Temple Beth Emmeth

   Oct 1991: “Broadway Melodies” - Bush Memorial Center, Russell Sage College, Troy

                                                              Malcolm Kogut - Asst. Director

   May 1992: “All Things Bright and Beautiful” - Church of St. Margaret Mary

   Dec. 1992: A Christmas Concert: “Love, Peace and Harmony” - Church of St. Margaret Mary

   June 1993: A Spring Concert: “Jubilate Deo - Sing to God with Gladness”

                      With the Trinity Brass Quintet   - Church of St. Margaret Mary

   Dec 1993: Annual Christmas Concert - Deborah Savoy – Soloist, Festival String Ensemble

                      Church of St. Margaret Mary

   June 1994: Spring Concert: “Alleluia” - Dedicated to Joseph Powers

                      Church of St. Margaret Mary

   Dec. 1994: Christmas Concert: “Glory to God” performed at the Church of St. Margaret Mary

   June 1995: Spring Concert: “Broadway Legends” performed at South Colonie High School

                      Guest Artists: Michele Boretti – Flute, Michael Emery - Violin

   June 1995: Benefit Concert for North Country Ministries

                    Performed at Sacred Heart Church, Lake George

   Dec. 1995: Christmas Concert: “Once in Royal David's City” - Church of St. Margaret Mary

June 1996: 10TH Anniversary Concert (1986)                                                                 

                      25TH Anniversary Beginning with Festival of Praise (1971)

                      “Sing to The Lord a New Song” performed at the Empire Center at The Egg

                      With the Festival Orchestra

June 1996: “The Trinity” – Special Service – performed at St. Vincent De Paul Church

Oct 1996: A Concert for MS - Host John Gray, News Chanel 13

                    “One Man Short Men” chorus   -   Church of St. Margaret Mary

Dec 1996: Christmas Concert – “The Christmas Miracle” The concert theme revolved around the

                  carol: The Christmas Miracle by J. Bullard - Church of St Margaret Mary  

   From June 1997 to Dec 1999: Neil Hook, Director and Eric J. Henstenberg, Accompanist

June 1997: “Stay with Us” - Church of St.  Margaret Mary

Dec 1997: “See Amid the Winter's Snow” – Featuring: The James Street Trio

                     Church of St.  Margaret Mary

June 1998: “Living Water” - Special Guests - One Man Short Men's Chorus/Festival Orchestra

                      Church of St Margaret Mary

   June 1998: “Music for Mechanicville” – Benefit concert after tornado

                      Special guest artists: The James Street Trio and Soloist Emalie Savoy

                      St. Mathews Church, Voorheesville

  Dec 1998: “For unto Us a Child Is Born” – Guest Artist: The Capital District Youth Chorale

                     Church of St. Margaret Mary

  June 1999: “From Broadway with Love” – Special Guest – Teresa Eldh, from the cast of:

                    “Phantom of The Opera”.  Performed at “The Egg” – Empire State Plaza

  Dec 1999: “Come Emmanuel” - Church of St. Margaret Mary W/Festival Chamber Singers

  From June 2000 to June 2006: J. Neil Hook, Director and Joan M. Nikolski, Accompanist

   June 2000: “O Clap Your Hand”- “Sing to The Lord” - Music of John Rutter and Thomas Savoy 

                       Guest Soloists: Deborah Savoy and William Pearson

                       Church of St. Margaret Mary

  June 2000: Pentecost 2000 – Capital Region Ecumenical Organization

                        Workshop and Worship – First Lutheran Church, Albany

    Dec 2000: “THE MESSIAH” - Handel

                        Soloists: Deborah Savoy, Denise Pulcher, Alejandro Williams, Paul E. Hook

                        St. Joseph's Provincial House

    June 2001: “Behold Now Praise the Lord” - Church of St. Margaret Mary                        

    Dec 2001: “There Shall a Star Come Out of David” - Church of St Margaret Mary       

    June 2002: “The Gift of Love” with special guest: Susan Brynolfson Gierthy, Oboist

    Dec 2002: “Joy to The World” – Featuring the Bell Choir of Hamilton Union Presbyterian Church

                        Church of St Margaret Mary

    June 2003: “Music for the Movies” with guests GHS Jazz Conclave and “One Man Short”,

                      men's chorus and special guest host: Lydia Kulbida – of WNYT channel 13

                      Guilderland Central High School

    Dec 2003: “What Sweeter Music” - Church of St. Margaret Mary

    June 2004: “REQUIEM” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 

                         COMMERATING 60th ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY

                         Soloists: Deborah Savoy, Kelly Bird, J. Robert Sheehan, Paul E. Hook

                         Wm. Glenn Osborn, Organist, Festival Celebration Orchestra,

                         Michael Emery – Concert Master and Violin Soloist

                         Performed at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

    Dec 2004: “Christmas Lullaby” – Church of St Margaret Mary

    June 2005: “Director's Favorites” - Church of St. Margaret Mary

    Dec 2005: “Silent Night” - Church of St. Margaret Mary

   June 2006: “Te Deum Laudamus -We Praise You O Lord” - “20th Anniversary Concert”

                          Wm Glenn Osborne – Commissioned Artist, Charles Jones – Guest Accompanist

                          Festival Orchestra, “One Man Short Men” chorus, Guest Soloist – Teresa Eldh

                          Performed at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

                          Final Concert Directed by J. Neil Hook

      Dec 2006: “Go Tell It”

                        Wm Glenn Osborne, director, Joan Nikolski, accompanist

                        Performed at St. Joseph's Provincial House

    June 2007: “Praise His Holy Name”- Glenn Osborne, director and Charles Jones, accompanist

                        Performed at St. Joseph's Provincial House

    Dec 2007: “Christmas Day In the Morning”

                       Charles Jones – Director, Jeffry Stein – Accompanist

                       Karen Jacobs – Guest Accompanist  St. Joseph's Provincial House

    June 2008: “Celebration of the Spirit” - Church of St. Pius X

                         Charles Jones – Director, Jeffry Stein – Accompanist

                         Karen Jacobs – Guest Accompanist

Charles Jones, Director and Maury Castro, Accompanist: Dec 2008 thru June 2010                    

    Dec 2008: “Magnificat – Songs of Mary”, performed at Church of St Pius X              

                       Charles Jones – Director, Maury Castro – Accompanist

    June 2009: “Voices of the Saints” - Church of St.  Pius X

                        Charles Jones – Director, Maury Castro – Accompanist

    Dec 2009: “This Christmas Time” performed at the Church of St. Pius X

                        Charles Jones – Director, Maury Castro – Accompanist

    June 2010: “Living Waters” performed at the Church of St. Pius X

                        Charles Jones – Director, Maury Castro – Accompanist

    Maury Castro, Director and Andrew Krystopolski, Accompanist, Dec 2010 thru Dec 2013

    Dec 2010: “Arise, Your Light Has Come” performed at the Church of ST. Pius X

    June 2011: “The Magic of Mendelssohn” -   Church of St. Pius X

                        Soloists: Seija Akera, Michael Lister, Paula McNulty, Claire Stadtmueller

                        Guest Artists: Hibernian String Quartet

    Dec 2011: “Through Their Eyes - Perspectives of the Nativity”

                       Performed at the Church of St. Pius X

    June 2012: “Festival Does Broadway”

                          Guest Artists: Bill Jenson, drums and Ann Marie-Barker Schwartz, violin

                         Performed at the Church of St. Pius X

    Dec 2012: “GLORIA!”  - Settings by Vivaldi and Rutter

                        Guest Artists: Signature Brass, Susan Gierthy – Oboist

                        Church of St. Pius X

   June 2013: “A Musical Journey Through the Church Year” - Church of ST. Pius X

                        Guest Artist: Christopher Trombley – Baritone

    Dec 2013: “Christmas Through the Ages” performed at the 

                        Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

    June 2014: “PENTECOST”

                         Susan Fedak, director and Andrew Krystopolski, asst. director/accompanist

                         Festival Celebration Chamber Orchestra

                        Westminster Presbyterian Church – Albany

     Dec 2014: “Christmas Favorites” performed at Westminster Presbyterian Church - Albany

    Susan Fedak, Director and Andrew Krystopolski, Asst. director/Accompanist   2014

    Philip Spaeth, Director and Andrew Krystopolski, Accompanist: 2015 through June 2017

                     Rehearsals & Concerts at First Lutheran Church – Albany                 

   June 2015: “Rouse the Dawn – A Celebration of the Psalms”.                                 

                       Featuring the Chichester Psalms by Leonard Bernstein

                       Festival Chamber Singers and Guest soloists

   Dec 2015: “Sing This Night/A Christmas Celebration” - First Lutheran Church          

                        Guest artists: Troy Children's Chorus

  June 2016: “Praise & Thanksgiving” Celebrating 30 Years of Festival Celebration Choir

                         Guest Soloists: Margaret Lampisi, David Ciucevich, and Eugene Tobey

                         Festival Celebration Chamber Orchestra - First Lutheran Church

   Dec 2016: “A Light to The Nations/Christmas Around the World”

                         Festival Chamber Singers and Guest Artists: Alex Torres, Todd Fabozzi,

                         Angel L. Dueno – Percussion at First Lutheran Church

   June 2017: “Many Gifts, One Spirit” Featuring the Regional Debut of: “THE GIFT OF LIFE”, by

                        John Rutter Festival Chamber Singers and special guest artists; Dianna Parisi-piano,

                        Karlinda Caldicott-harp, Mark Foster, Paul Borello and Michael Benedict- percussion                   

     Julie Panke, Director and Andrew Krystopolski, Accompanist: Dec 2017

     Julie Panke, Director and Justan Foster, Accompanist: May 2018 through May 2019

    Dec 2017: “Christus Paradox” - First Lutheran Church

                         Julie Panke – Director and Andrew Krystopolski – Asst Director/Accompanist

                         Guest Artists: Leah Kidwell-Fernandes – Harpist, Andrew Janack – Percussionist

    May 2018: “High Notes – From Opera to Broadway” - First Lutheran Church

                           Julie Panke, Director and Justan Foster, Accompanist

                           Guest Artists: Rosanne Hargrave – Soprano, John Spinelli – Tenor

                           Alex Atchley – percussion, Margaret Halinski – Flute; Peter Tiogo – Bass

    Dec 2018: “Rejoice and Be Merry” -   First Lutheran Church

                         Julie Panke, Director and Justan Foster, Accompanist

                         Special Guests: The Route Fifty 5 – Brass Quintet, Alex Atchley – Percussionist

   May 2019: “Songs of Justice & Reconciliation” -   First Lutheran Church

                         Julie Panke, Director and Justan Foster, Accompanist

                         Special Guests: The Troy Children's Chorus, Cliff Brucker – Jazz Pianist

                         June Coryer – Soprano, Andrew Janack – Percussionist

                         Pete Tiogo – Bass, Festival Chamber Singers, and Festival Celebration Ringers                                               

                         Debuting “A Call to Awaken” by local composer, Phyllis Pulver

   Dec 2019: “Rise Up Ye Shepherds” -   First Lutheran Church                                    

                       Julie Panke, Director, and Daniel White, Accompanist

                       Carols and Anthems for Choir and Strings

                       Guest Artist: Musicians of Ma'alwyck, Christopher Trombley – Baritone

No concerts due to Covid -Spring 2020/ December 2020/ Spring 2021/December 2021   

   June 2022: “Raise a Psalm” -   First Lutheran Church

                        Julie Panke, Director and Daniel White, Accompanist

                        Special guests: Susan DiFiore – Harp, Margie Halinski – Flute

   Dec 2022: “Carols from Near and Far” – with the UAlbany Chamber Singers

                       Julie Panke, Director, Michael Lister, Director, and Daniel White, Accompanist

                       Guest Artists: Karlinda Caldicott – Harp, Sten Isachsen – Guitar

                        Eugene Lorini, Percussion at the SUNY Albany Recital Hall                    

  June 2023: “Beyond Boundaries” - First Lutheran Church - Albany

                       Guest Artists: The Troy Children's Chorus, Margie Halinski – Flute

  Dec 2023: “Morning Stars Together” – First Presbyterian Church - Albany

                      Julie Panke, Director and Daniel White, Accompanist

                      Guest Artists: Susan Gierthy, Oboe, James Iacketta, Percussion

                     Concert dedicated to Elinor Obuchowski

  May 2024: “Stronger Together” – with the Albany Gay Men's Chorus

                      Julie Panke, Director and Daniel White, Director/Accompanist

                      First Presbyterian Church-Albany

  Dec 2024: “A Season for Song” – FCC with the Capital Community Voices (CCV)

                  Julie Panke, Artistic Director and Daniel White, Accompanist along with

                   Benjammin April, Accompanist for CCV. Guest Artists: Randy Jenings, Bassist,

                   Lorraine La Voie, Flute, Jim Iacketta, Percussion, and Anna Lammly, Harp.

                   Held at the Emmanuel Reformed Church, Castleton

May 2025: “Songs of the Spirit” at the First Presbyterian Church-Albany

                 Julie Panke, Artistic director and Daniel White, Accompanist, with the Troy Children’s  

                 Chorus and special guest, Eric Marczak, Native American flute specialist

Dec 2025: “On Common Ground- the Ballad of the Black King”, a cantata by Margaret Bond, a regional premier, and Seven Carols for Christmas by Alice Parker with the Festival Celebration Choir, and the First Pres. Chancel Choir and Chamber orchestra. Julie Panke and Michael Lister were directors at First Pres Church-Albany. Guest artists: soprano, Savannah Gordon, baritone, Christopher Price and alto, Noel Bond. An art exhibit and reception were held in the Assembly Hall.

May 2026: “Love Endures” - Celebrating our 40th Anniversary at First United Methodist Church, East Greenbush. Julie Panke, Artistic Director and Daniel White, Accompanist. Featuring a newly commissioned piece by Philip Spaeth: “Abounding in Love”. Guest artists: Kathryn Svatek, French Horn, Susan Gierthy, Oboe and Paul Hook’s “One Man Short” ensemble. This concert is dedicated to our former director: Deacon J. Neil Hook, followed by a reception.

 Julie Panke, Artistic Director: December 2017 to present 

 Daniel White, Accompanist: Dec 2019 to present