On May 23, 1969, an eight-member Hungarian Chamber Choir named Philomusica, conducted by Joseph Kovacs, had its first performance in New Brunswick. The concert included Bach’s Christ lag in Todesbanden. This small, dedicated group wanted to perform Baroque music—and created a choir that filled a void for central New Jersey audiences.

Thirty-eight years later, Philomusica reprises this work and Händel’s Dixit Dominus at its May 19 and 20, 2007, concert “Rising Stars of 1707: Early Masterpieces of Bach and Händel,” this time under the baton of Dennis Boyle, begins his 25th year with the choir of approximately 40 voices.

The number of voices may have increased, but so also Philomusica’s reputation as a classical music choir of uncommon quality. What makes this group different seems to stem from the original outlook of the founding members—a chance to perform challenging classical music well. Today’s members still attend weekly rehearsals and truly try to create a sound that fills the hall—and ears—of its patrons. As with any musicians, warm-ups are essential. What happens with this choir is that the sound of the group is created during the warm-up period. Members know that rehearsals are hard work, but also incredibly rewarding. All members read music and practice the selections outside of the regular rehearsals.

Dedicated to the music—and dedicated to the task of making Philomusica the premiere classical choir of central New Jersey, all the members are involved voluntarily in the logistics of pulling together these stellar performances—from fundraising to ticket sales, reception organizing to community liaisons to “stage” managing. This is in addition to their “real” jobs—attorneys, stay-at-home moms, accountants, teachers—and many other areas of work, you name it. What brings them together is the love of the music, and knowledge that they perform it well.

Which isn’t so different from those eight dedicated musicians who began it all.

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