Retro RFH Holiday Spirited Tower Singing

RFH Tower Singers entertain at the annual winter concert circa 1976. Photo/RFH yearbook screenshot
RFH Tower Singers entertain at the annual winter concert of 1975.
Photo/RFH yearbook screenshot
RFH Freshman Chorus in 1976. Photo/RFH yearbook screenshot
RFH Freshman Chorus in 1975.
Photo/RFH yearbook screenshot

Tonight’s the night that the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School Tower Singers sing — in the winter concert at 7 p.m. in the high school’s auditorium.

The instrumental groups play, too. We’ll get to that part of the winter concert picture tomorrow. 

In our Retro Pic of the Day, we take you back to the RFH Winter Concert of 1975, when there were three choruses at RFH, each of which was quite large: the Freshman Chorus, Tower Singers and Tower Madrigals. Each group was comprised of 45 to 50 singers. Yes, you read that right.

With the music program at RFH in somewhat of a state of peril and near out-phasing these days, looking back offers some perspective. It also reminds powers that be of the power and gifts music bring. Always unwrapped and out from under any tree, never mind holiday. It’s a year-round gift.

In the spirit of giving and receiving its boundless joy, RFHers were always cognizant that being in one of these RFH choruses was considered a coveted privilege. It was also aspired-to fun and a constant creative exercise in team work and diligence in perpetual rehearsal for one concert or another. Of course, the joy to the world the singers’ songs brought was the icing on the holiday ginger bread house at holiday time.

That joy and privilege culminated in end of the holiday concert that was a revered longtime tradition that brought alumni and the audience to their feet — literally.

Alumni came back to RFH for the concert year after year to stand and be asked to join the three choruses on stage backed by a full RFH orchestra in the Hallelujiah Chorus.

In a moving moment, the house lights were undimmed as the musical director asked alumni to please stand, walk to the stage and take their places in the appropriate chorus. Each still knew his or her part. Year after year. And year after year, the finale brought the audience all teared up and to its feet. Now, that was a finale. It is missed. Alumni still talk about it. They probably still know their parts, too.

So, sing and carry on RFH Tower Singers of today! Keep giving the gift and break a leg at tonight’s concert! The RFH singers of yesterday her you loud and clear. They’re singing right along. The song? Hmmmmm … How about that iconic 70s Coca Cola commercial song I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing?

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