779.jpg "124037088002music2(sec)779.jpg")
To the professional tinkle of piano keys, these men and women sang familiar songs from their youth, from the moving "toora lorra lorra" of "An Irish Lullaby" to the jazz upbeat tempo of "Beautiful Doll." Few of the copyright notices on these songs dated later than 1912.
Most of these seniors knew the words without needing to squint at the crib sheet supplied them for the traditional sing-a-long.
This was Patricia Brady-Danzig's sixth musical presentation since her retiring as musical director for Immaculate Conception Church, where she remained for 17 years. During those years, Brady-Danzig had led cantors and choirs, both for adults and children. Her boys' choir during those years had even received invitations to perform at the American Boy Choir School in Princeton, and her adult choir produced a series of recordings, appeared numerous times on TV, and held several concerts annually.
Brady-Danzig before and since has maintained a professional performing career as organist, pianist, soloist and composer of hymns. But at least once each year, she returns to her roots in Secaucus.
"I spent 17 years at the Immaculate Conception, so I think of Secaucus as my second home," she told the seniors between songs.
Nina Villanueva, social worker for the Housing Authority, said Brady-Danzig made arrangements with her to schedule the event.
"But Pat does all the work," Villanueva said.
Brady-Danzig wore a gold hand-made gown from Romania for an occasion that was thick with overtones of upcoming St. Valentine's Day, with heart-shaped candies and snacks for the fourth graders to distribute to the seniors after the singing had concluded.
Unfortunately, this year's event coincided with the seniors' regular trip to Atlantic City, inspiring numerous remarks among those who hobbled bearing canes and bent backs that more should have come. Most of those who attended were residents of the Elms building, one of three senior citizen residences maintained by the Secaucus Housing Authority.
Delores May, however, made her way to the Elms from Impreveduto Towers, despite the below zero temperatures.
"I was the only one on the bus," she said, singing the praises of the two regular Housing Authority drivers who made it possible for seniors to attend events around town and to reach various shopping malls.
May has lived in Impreveduto Towers for three years. Although she is originally from Jersey City, she lived on Irving Place in Secaucus before moving into the senior building and remembered Brady-Danzig's work at the church.
"This is my first time coming to one of these events," she said. "But I've always loved Pat's music."
Coming back home
Brady-Danzig, after retiring from Immaculate Conception in 1997, started the Musical Potpourri as a way to keep in touch with the community. Her first effort in 1998 was part of the Secaucus Adult School, but over the last five years, she has held the musical event in the Elms building. Last year, she honored local firefighters and their efforts during the Sept. 11, 2001 rescue efforts, this year she seemed more dedicated to lightening the mood with nostalgic reminders of a more simple past. Songs like "When Irish Eyes are Smiling" and "On Moonlight Bay" brought out enthusiastic responses from the crowd, although a series of patriotic melodies such as "America the Beautiful" brought out the most vigor. This patriotic theme was echoed by the performance of the fourth grade choir from Clarendon School who performed two St. Valentine's Day songs, and the "God Bless America" with its rarely heard introduction.
Susan Redvanly, the music teacher, said the fourth grade choir had fewer opportunities to perform in public than the elder choirs, but this appearance at the Musical Potpourri was among several during the early part of this year.
"We're growing," Redvanly said. "These students did their first concert in December and we're looking forward to performing at the PTA Founder's Day after the Winter Break. We're also working on new material for the Spring Concert in May."
Seniors enjoyed the event
Louise Becker, who has lived in the Elms building for 20 years, said she has been to all five performances held here.
"Pat is a wonderful person and she puts on a good show," Becker said. "I like the kind of music she plays. I don't like the beep bop music kids play today. When I hear that on the radio, I turn the radio off."
Florence Strzaokowski have lived in the Elms for eight years, but this was only her second time to the event.
"I like Pat's singing," she said. "I like softer, older music, not jitterbug music today. Sometimes, I listen to country music on the radio."
Ninety-three year old Deloris Hartnett, a distant relative of former county executive Bernard Hartnett, spent most of her life in Iowa and Jersey City before coming to the Elms a year ago. While she said she likes Secaucus, she misses Jersey City. She said she prefers to listen to classic music and older composers like Gershwin.
"I came here because I like the music she [Brady-Danzig] plays," Hartnett said.
Mary Ludwig, a Secaucus native, has also lived in the Elms for 20 years. She said she likes all kinds of music. Winnie Kelly has lived in the Elms for five years, but in Secaucus for 13. She is a native of Brooklyn and said she came to the event because she is particularly fond of show tunes.
Elsie Van Bennekum, who has lived at the Elms for five years, was born in Connecticut before moving to Hoboken and later Secaucus.
"I like old-fashioned music," she said. "I like music I can sing to. The music kids listen to today you can dance to, but you can't sing. I like to sing because I'm too old to dance."
Post a Comment