Conductor
Henry McDonagh III
Accompanist
Joseph Liccardo

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	About the Bayside Glee Club
	Membership
	About the Conductor and Accompanist
	Rehearsals
	Performances
	Contact Us
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Since its inception as a male chorus in 1944, the Bayside Glee Club has been making a unique contribution to Bayside and the larger community. Each year the club presents two formal concerts and from time to time performs for the benefit of area churches, nursing homes, hospitals, and various organizations.

Although the club is centered in the Flushing/Bayside area, singers and audiences come from all parts of Queens, Long Island, and the Metropolitan area.

With over 1,000 selections in its growing library, the club works hard to bring its audiences fresh, challenging, and varied programs.

In 2004 the club celebrated its 60th anniversary.

Spring 2008 concert highlights

Our annual spring concert was held on Sunday, May 18 at the Church on the Hill in Flushing.

Our varied program borrowed from the musical worlds of opera, spirituals, international folk songs, operetta and Broadway, classic American patriotic melodies -- and yes, even The King, Elvis Presley ("Can't Help Falling in Love").

Along with Puccini's "Nessun Dorma" (from Turandot) and Verdi's "Va Pensiero" (in English, from Nabucco), there was a selection from Mozart's Requiem. The club performed the well-known Ernst Gold theme (lyrics by Pat Boone) from the 1960 film Exodus in recognition of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel.

Two spirituals of the contagiously rousing variety,
"Dry Bones" and "Ezekiel Saw the Wheel," were complemented by "Waltzing Matilda," from down under, and, in contrast, the poignancy of "Fields of Athenry," an Irish ballad. "Hernando's Hideaway" (a bit of tango from Pajama Game) and "The Desert Song" (title number from the operetta) reassured all that it wouldn't be a Bayside concert without a show tune or two. (Both shows were later Hollywood musicals.) We topped things off with a medley of American patriotic favorites, and there was a rare appearance of the BGC percussion ensemble.

Additional performances

A generous grant from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs for fiscal 2008 will enable us to offer several additional free performances. So far, we have appearances scheduled for Ozanam Hall Nursing Home in Bayside, SNAP Senior Center in Queens Village, and Ridgewood Senior Center.

The club's roster of 23 active members, together with its associate (nonsinging) members, includes men of all ages and reflects the wonderful ethnic diversity of our community. 

We extend a sincere and cordial welcome to any man over 18 who would like to sing and enjoy an evening of fun and fellowship once a week. No previous experience is required and ability to read music is not necessary. Continuing education is a priority and in the interest of ever improving our performances, we provide choral and musical training. Transportation to rehearsals may be available if needed. The club publishes a quarterly newsletter to keep members updated about activities and goings on.

Yearly dues are $50, payable $25 each winter and spring.

Social activities
The club holds occasional gatherings throughout the year, including an Associates Night, usually in the spring, and an annual picnic during the summer. Members, family, friends, associates, and prospective members are welcome. After each concert there is a reception at which refreshments are served; there is also a raffle drawing.  

Henry McDonagh III is a graduate of the Aaron Copeland School of Music, Queens College, and is pursuing his master’s degree in music education.

He teaches general music and conducts the chorus and orchestra at Walter H. Crowley Intermediate School in Elmhurst, Queens. From 1999 to 2003 he was director of youth music for St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church in Queens.

Henry has performed throughout New York City and Montreal for over 10 years.

His eclectic performance background includes a stint as lead guitarist for Uncle Walt and the Jewels Big Band and bassist/vocalist for CLOSENUF, whose all-original rock-and-roll CD was placed on the ballot for a Grammy nomination in 2006 (Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist). He has also sung with the Queens College Choral Society and has extensive performance and production experience as a freelance musician in musical theater and with various bands.

New Yorker Joseph Liccardo won first prize (March 2006) in the young artist division of the Music Teachers National Association Piano Competition, for which he was awarded a Steinway grand piano. He performs as a freelance musician and teaches piano privately at the Lawrence Eisman Center for Preparatory Studies in Music at Queens College (where he studied for 12 years with Dr. Donald Pirone prior to college) and at the St. Andrew Avellino School in Flushing. Joseph holds a bachelor of music degree in performance from the Eastman School of Music, where he studied with Dr. Douglas Humphreys. At Eastman, he distinguished himself as both a chamber musician and soloist, receiving the John Celentano Award for Excellence in Chamber Music and a top prize in the Jessie Kneisel Lieder Competition for piano accompaniment. Joseph also performed extensively with his piano trio, both in school and in the community.

Email:  JFJ001@aol.com or chagg@bellatlantic.net
Telephone: Henry McDonagh, 718-835-6166

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The Bayside Glee Club’s program of performances is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

This website is sponsored by the Conductors Club. Copyright © 2001-2008 Conductors Club