By MADDY VITALE
Calling all Choir Directors – the “Christmas Chorale” is back for 2022.
The South Jersey tradition showcases holiday music from choirs in grades three through 12. Time slots are still available for the Dec. 15 recording day at the newly remodeled Ocean City Tabernacle, 550 Wesley Ave.
All performances from this 40th anniversary year will be available for the community to watch during the holiday season beginning on or about Dec. 17.
“Over the years, thousands of school and church choirs from grades third through twelfth have had the opportunity to be showcased in this holiday tradition enjoyed by many generations,” explained show producer Martin Fiedler, of Just Right TV Productions.
Here is a show from 2019. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic there weren’t productions in 2020 and 2021.
https://youtu.be/eo9jJWMXn6k
Fiedler has been involved with the holiday show in some capacity since 1982.
“The back story for me is that I participated in the production of the first Christmas Chorale in 1982 when I was an intern at TV 40,” Fiedler said of working at the former local television station. “The programs were designed to take the place of the news on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so the staff could take some time off.”
In the mid-2000s, TV 40 approached Fiedler about taking over the production of the show and he happily obliged, he said.
“We have continued to produce and air the show even after TV 40 went off the air in December 2014, except for the last two years during COVID,” Fiedler noted.
He recalled the first Christmas Chorale show at the old Golden Nugget in Atlantic City in 1982.
“Just a handful of choirs performed. We used the station’s only two news gathering cameras to record to short tapes and mixed them together back at the station,” he said. “Today, we shoot all day from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and use up to six broadcast-quality cameras and switch it live. Media students from Atlantic Cape Community College are also invited to work that day.”
The production experience comes full circle for Fiedler, he said. First, he was involved as an intern and now he produces the holiday show with a mix of experienced professionals and some just starting out.
“We also have a legion of choir directors who wouldn't miss giving students this opportunity to perform in front of the cameras,” Fiedler said. “See you next year is often the way we say goodbye after they perform.”
This year’s show will be the first since the Ocean City Tabernacle has been renovated. Fiedler said he is appreciative of the generosity of Pastor Jay Reimer, the CEO of the Tabernacle, and the others at the Tabernacle, such as Youth Pastor Jonathan Gonzalez, for allowing the show to be produced there many times over the years.
“I can’t overemphasize the contribution of the Tabernacle. Everyone knows where it is and likes coming to Ocean City. There’s plenty of parking and a covered entrance for buses,” Fiedler said.
He continued, “There’s room for choirs to prep before their 25-minte performances, and then there’s the new LED lighting, concert-quality sound and even new projection equipment. We have a very engaged crew that offers the performers a totally professional experience.”
Choir directors are asked to call Martin Fiedler at Just Right TV Productions at 609-625-1765 to schedule a time slot for your choir to perform.
Questions can also be emailed to [email protected]
