Westminster Conservatory Presents Opera Gala on May 21 in Princeton.

The Westminster Community Orchestra, Chorus and Children’s Chorus will join the Conservatory’s voice faculty to present an Opera Gala on Saturday, May 21 at 8 p.m. in Richardson Auditorium on the campus of Princeton University.

The faculty members performing arias and in ensembles are Tracey Richards Chebra, Donna Pierce Copti, Brandon Gaines, Christopher Michael Hodson, Devin Mariman, Grant Mech, Aurora Micu, Linda Mindlin, Kevin Radtke, Sarah Sensenig, Dauri Podenski Shippey and Danielle Sinclair. The program will include arias, overtures, ensembles and choruses from favorite operas, including Rienzi, The Marriage of Figaro, The Magic Flute, Hansel and Gretel, Falstaff and the Merry Wives of Windsor.

 Now celebrating its 2th season, the Westminster Community Orchestra showcases the artistry, commitment and passion of a true community ensemble.  The ensemble presents popular programs noted for their diverse repertoire and widespread appeal.  Members are professional and gifted amateur musicians from New Jersey and Pennsylvania.  They come from all walks of life but share a common goal: the desire to make wonderful music for themselves and their community.  Its conductor, Ruth Ochs, has led the orchestra in performances of major orchestral and choral-orchestral works, including symphonies by Brahms, Mozart and Shostakovich. Under her leadership the orchestra continues to feature choral ensembles and soloists from the Westminster Conservatory and to collaborate with Westminster Choir College students in piano concerto concerts and readings of new music.

The Westminster Community Chorus is in its 16th season.  It has developed a reputation for choral excellence in the Westminster tradition.  The chorus performs a wide variety of accompanied and unaccompanied choral music as well as frequent collaborations with the Westminster Community Orchestra.  Devin Mariman has been conductor of the Westminster Community Chorus since 1998.  He is also adjunct assistant professor of voice at Westminster Choir College and chorus master for the Westminster Conservatory’s Children’s Opera.

The Westminster Conservatory Children’s Choir program has performed with the Westminster Community Orchestra each year for over 10 years.  The Cantus Choir, the middle school honors section of the choirs, has performed three times at the White House, and once at the National Cathedral.  They have performed several times with the Trenton Children's Chorus and were invited to sing with them at the United Nations this year.  Conductor and founder Patricia Thel has taught as an adjunct at Westminster Choir College and Ithaca College School of Music. She is also the artistic director of the Trenton Children's Chorus.

Admission to the performance is $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. To purchase tickets, visit www.princeton.edu/utickets or call the Box Office at 609-258-9220.