Classics and new musical highlight chorus season

The Monmouth Civic Chorus has announced its 2007-2008 season of choral music under the baton of Mark Shapiro.

The season begins with "LisztFest," Saturday, Nov. 17, celebrating the life and music of the genius Franz Liszt. Guest artists are Karin Gargone, organist, Presbyterian Church on the Hill, Ocean Township; Charles Harris, director of music, First Presbyterian Church at Red Bank; and Vladislav Kovalsky, executive director, Monmouth Conservatory of Music, along with Mark Cook, MCC accompanist.

The concert is at 8 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 255 Harding Road (Tower Hill), Red Bank. Tickets are $25 - $20, $10 and $5 students.

A holiday classic returns Sunday, Dec. 16, with selections from "Messiah" plus "Christmas Pops" at 4 p.m. at the Count Basie Theatre, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank. Highlights of Handel's beloved oratorio will be performed along with favorite carols. For many music lovers, it won't be Christmas without it. Tickets: $40 - $15, $5 students.

The chorus returns to the Count Basie Theatre Saturday, March 29, at 8 p.m., with soloists and full orchestra for Mozart's magnificent "Mass in C Minor," known as the "Great" Mass. Also on the program are eloquent works by the English Romantic master Ralph Vaughan Williams, inspired by two of the world's best-loved poets. "Toward the Unknown Region" brings us Walt Whitman's journey of the daring soul, and "Serenade to Music" portrays Shakespeare's vision of the power of harmony. Tickets are $30 - $20, $10 and $5 students.

The season closes Saturday, May 31, with the world premiere of a new musical, set in San Francisco during the Depression, with music by New York composer Richard Pearson Thomas and book by Joe Calarco. "Golden Gate" tells the story of a family traveling to the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge on a journey of discovery and reawakened hope. Performances are at 3 and 8 p.m. at the Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church St., Middletown. Tickets are $25 - $20, $5 students.

Subscriptions are $60 for the November, March and May concerts, or $80 for all four. Student subscriptions are $20 or $30. Call (732) 933-9333 to subscribe, or order online at www.monmouthcivicchorus. org.