Zephyr Ensemble in concert

Several performances around the area, some benefit local arts Vernon - The social hall at St. Francis de Sales R.C. Church on Route 517 in Vernon will come alive with entertainment on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. as members of Zephyr Vocal Ensemble present musical selections from opera, German lieder, pop/rock, musical theatre, the Great American Songbook, jazz, flute music of Poulenc and even a folk tune on the fiddle. This Dessert Cabaret will feature high-end desserts and coffee as audience members relax at a table and experience the professional music of the members of Zephyr. Solos, duets and group numbers will be on the musical menu, including the antics of Professor Harold Hill, played by tenor Mike Yannuzzi, as he warns the residents of Gary, Indiana, that Ya Got Trouble because of the new billiard table in town. A special feature of the evening will be three songs sung by the celebrated voices of Barbara Davis, soprano, and her husband, James Davis, bass, who have sung across the nation, including engagements at the New York City Opera. She serves on the board of directors for Zephyr Vocal Ensemble. Tenor Daniel Foran, a frequent soloist with the New Jersey Baroque Orchestra, will perform one of the most poignant of all tenor arias, Giacomo Puccini's tender "Che gelida manina" from La bohème, as well as "Ah mes amis" from La fille du régiment, a treacherously challenging tenor aria famous for its nine high C's. Other Zephyr singers will add songs from 'Wicked," "Nine," "I Do, I Do," "Jesus Christ, Superstar" and Kurt Weill's "Street Scene." Also on the program: "I'm Just a Lucky So-and-So" by Duke Ellington and Mack David, Jay Ungar's violin solo "Ashoken Farewell," and a humorous parody entitled "Send in the Clams." Guest flautist John Meredith will perform Poulenc's "Sonata for Flute and Piano, mvt. 1." Accompaniments by Cherwyn Ambuter, professional accompanist and artistic director of Zephyr Vocal Ensemble. Also included will be the ensemble's specialty: a cappella ensemble music from Zephyr's wildly successful debut concert and its upcoming Dec. 3 Christmas concert. Fundraiser This Dessert Cabaret is a fundraiser to support the Ensemble's goal of bringing of the highest-quality a cappella vocal music to Sussex County and beyond. Zephyr is working toward having a New York City debut next year in Greenwich Village. Suggested donation at the door is $15 for general admission, $10 for seniors 65 and older and $5 for children 12 and younger. Advance donation reservations can be made online at www.zephyrve.org/calendar. If attending but donating at the door, contact Cherwyn Ambuter at 973-764-0828 or zephyrve@warwick.net to reserve seats. Zephyr will be also highlighting the Sussex County Arts & Heritage Council's annual fundraising gala at Lake Mohawk in Sparta on the following Saturday, Sept. 24, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Zephyr's a cappella ensemble program there will be Early American music, the music of William Billings, spirituals and Temperance movement songs, in conjunction with the traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Institute, New Harmonies tour, which focuses on the roots of American music. The evening includes dinner and the performance; the $75 tickets can be purchased at http://wvweveningwiththestars.eventbrite.com/ This is the arts council's main annual fundraising event to raise money to support the arts all around Sussex County. Grants for all approved county arts groups depend upon this event. Zephyr at Applefest Zephyr will perform at Applefest on Sunday, Oct. 2 in Warwick, N.Y., from 2:30 to 3:15 at the Kuiken Bros. stage. Zephyr will sing its best-loved hits and entertain festival-goers with its a cappella music. Admission to this performance is free. Early arrival is suggested, as parking is at a premium in Warwick for this festival, which is listed in the "Top 100 Events in the Country" by the American Business Association and which draws 35,000 visitors each year. Join the group Zephyr is a professional-level a cappella vocal ensemble dedicated to singing the best in a cappella classical literature as well as contemporary hits. To see Zephyr sing online, visit YouTube and type "Zephyr Vocal Ensemble" into the search window. Zephyr is seeking one more qualified Alto 2 and Tenor 2. If interested, check www.zephyrve.org at the "Join" page for information on auditions.