SDA Dominoes Chamber Choir  invited back              to Carnegie Hall
On November 30th, the SDA Dominoes Chamber Choir will return to Carnegie Hall to sing in the Continuo Arts Foundation’s first annual “Christmas Time in the City” concert.  For more information, please contact Joseph Napoli at jnapoli@stdominicacad.com.

Saint Dominic Academy Senior Has Her Star Turn in Carnegie Hall

 

 

 The Saint Dominic Academy Dominoes are no strangers to Carnegie Hall; they performed there on Saturday evening, May 23rd for the fourth time since 2001. Little did senior member Alison Hernandez know, however, that she would deliver a narration at a climactic moment in the concert.

 
          Alison read before the choir sang Z. Randall Stroope’s “Inscription ofHope”. The words she read were inscribed on a cellar wall in Cologne, Germany by Jews who were hiding from Nazi’s during World War 11 and the composer gave instructions that the origin of those words always be described prior to performing the music. “I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining, and I believe in love, even when there’s no one there---“. Stroope believes that this affirmation of hope over despair is a message of universal significance. 
 
        Dominoe director, Mr. Joseph P. Napoli, approached Jean Ashworth Bartle, who conducted the Carnegie Hall performance, and told her of the special meaning the piece had for his choir. After the September 11th, 2001 attack on the United States, this was the first song they sang at the Jersey City Academy’s opening mass on September 14th, 2001. “This was a terrible time and no one was in the mood for singing, but Stroope’s musical setting of those poignant words were perfect for the occasion and its performance helped to begin a healing process for my students”, said Napoli.
 “Alison Hernandez was 10 years old at the time and witnessed those buildings being hit from her classroom as did many other members of the current choir.”
 
        Mrs. Bartle was so touched by the story that she asked if Alison would like to read the narrative before the song. Alison, who is president of the Drama Club and plans to study Pharmacy at Rutgers this September, seized the opportunity.
 
        When the moment arrived, Alison stepped to the center of the stage and delivered the narrative with great poise.

Alison said, “The words I spoke are really powerful; they always have been. Yet something about saying them in Carnegie Hall, with a large choir and orchestra behind me, and a limitless space in front of me---the whole experience was mind-blowing, especially the luck of it all: a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

       The assembled choirs sang the piece and Alison took her bow in that magnificent concert hall where some of the greatest artists of the past century preceded her. Alison’s moment quickly passed but deeply moved the audience and left an indelible memory that will last a lifetime for herself and the Dominoes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glee Club

United Water donates $1,000 to Saint Dominic Academy
      United Water, a leader in the water services industry since 1869, with corporate offices in Harrington Park, New Jersey, recently invited the Saint Dominic Academy Dominoes Chamber Choir to perform at a corporate event hosted by them.  On that evening United Water generously donated $1,000 to the Jersey City all girls’ school.
      On October 20th, the Saint Dominic Academy Dominoes, including among their membership the new Gospel Choir,“The Soul Sisters”, sang for the Association for Corporate Contributions Professionals at the Valley Brook Golf Course in Rivervale, New Jersey. The Dominoes were introduced by SDA Head of School, Margaret Fox-Tully. Mrs. Fox-Tully addressed those in attendance and complimented them on their efforts to support schools with their time and corporate giving. She then introduced Joseph P. Napoli, who has directed the choir at Saint Dominic Academy since 1979.
Highlights of the performance included solos by Senior Claudine Novelles, who sang “The Rose” and “The Wind Beneath My Wings”.
      The Gospel Choir, led by Sophomore Ciara Gadsen, made their debut performance singing “Welcome to this Place”.  The Dominoes finished with a rousing rendition of “Chapel of Love”, and received a standing ovation from those in attendance. The tired but happy singers were reminded by Mr. Napoli during the bus ride home that they would not have time to rest. The next day would bring a rehearsal for their upcoming performance at Carnegie Hall on November 30th,    in collaboration with the Continuo Arts Foundation for their first annual “Christmas Time in the City” concert. 

 

Glee Club is open to all who demonstrate some talent for singing and an appreciation for music, these choral groups provide musical performances to multiple audiences throughout the school year. In return for their dedication and commitment, members are able to strengthen their talent both as individuals and as a group while they learn musical pieces and arrangements.

 

The Glee Club has won first and second place trophies at national competitions over the past several years and the Dominoes have taken classes at the Juilliard School and have sung at both Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.

Mr. Napoli conducts the Dominoes Christmas concert at City Hall.

 Photos taken from Dominoes City Hall Christmas concert with Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy

 St. Dominic Academy Choirs win for the Third Consecutive Year!!!

Congratulations to the Glee Club, Dominoes and Show Choir; Grand Champions for the third consecutive year! First Place awards in the Treble Choir, Chamber Choir and Show Choir Categories- a clean sweep! Special awards given to Florianna Heun, Lela Doherty, Maileen Mecate and Leona Ramos.  Way to go, girls!