- Aquebogue NY First Parish Church -

BY DANNY McCARTHY

- While I was on-staff at The Traveler-Watchman newspaper in Southold, I attended a Saturday matinee of a concert at the Aquebogue {Northville} NY First Parish Church. The First Parish Church is now the Community Baptist Church and the First Parish Church members go across-the-street to the Grange Hall. The First Parish Church was so renown for holding YARD SALES "write"-out-front on the property. That was a welcoming gesture - BUT NOT at this time of the CORONA virus. -
Consort: “group, assembly…a group of musicians entertaining by voice or instrument…”
Madrigal: “a medieval short lyrical poem in a strict poetic form…a complex vocal piece on a secular text
Developed especially in the 16th and 17th centuries…”
The First Parish Church on Sound Avenue in the hamlet of Aquebogue was the intimate and appropriate setting for “Shakespeare Through the Ages.”
The Island Consort and Madrigal Singers directed by the professional par excellence Joel Frederiksen appeared in the church sanctuary. Readings by Christine Rendel and David Markel were delivered with cleverness and punch and the evening also included piano accompaniment by Robert Palin.
Joel Frederiksen performed as host and participator as he is a Bass-baritone and lutenist. He kept order over some twenty singers who were either Sopranos, Altos, Tenors, or Basses. Another lutenist included Jim Smith.
The two-hour event was pleasant and interesting. Shakespeare’s verse was put to music over the course of many years, century to century, by famous composers that range from William Cornyshe (1465 – 1523) to Thomas Morley (1557 – 1602) to Gerald Finzi (1901 – 1856 to George Shearing. Others claimed to work with the juxtaposition of placing Shakespeare’s words to music. Indeed there were lessons to be learned and reminders of the Bard’s famous words and expressions. When a group of women sang Gail McDermott’s version of “What a Piece of Work is Man”, it aroused laughter which is what is rewarding about those words.
“If music be the fruit of love, play on.” The fairly new group {“an amateur vocal ensemble was founded in 1994 by Joel Frederiksen”, according to the program) should continue to shine like they have so far and grow more successful.
The group adorned the Silversmith’s Corner on Main Road in Southold and were sure to have a warm reception yet again. The group entered to much applause and should get an encore wherever they play. All of the participants maintained an aire of professionalism. Mr. Frederiksen’s strength and energy were aligned with his masterful voice as were his group’s membership.
I stated when I originally wrote this “Watch for the ditties to increase as this bunch of players expands. Here is the {then} present list of singers:
Sopranos: Yale Frederiksen, Nadine Gorrell, Brando Keyes, Maribeth Mundell. Isabel Rather and Lauren Sisson.
Altos: Lynda Clements, Marilyn Fly,,, Pauline Pharr, Susan Rosentreich, Kimberly Schuller, Lorna Tuthill, and Winifred Weiss.
Tenors: Bob Boedeker, Bill Corey and James Cottone,
Basses: Joel Frederiksen, Dongkwon Lim, Mel Mendolsohn and David Sterling.”