Please send us any old programs, video clips, newspaper reviews, or photos you may have to help us add to our archives! We are particularly grateful to Bonnie Graham for providing copies of her extensive collection of choir memorabilia.

Below is a chronology of the choir, organized by the person who was director of music. However, note that the tenure of each director is a bit unclear -- occasionally a director would be hired just for Camp Meeting and then later would become the regular director, so the dates might overlap.

Overviews

• The Ocean Grove Auditorium Choir - A Faith-Based Community of Singers (2008) Article by Dr. Cindy Bell
• Ocean Grove Auditorium Video
• History of Ocean Grove Video
• 125th Anniversary Video about Ocean Grove (1994)
• Spreadsheet of choir festival music 1955, 1979, 1981-2022, assembled by Bonnie Graham) (xlsx format or pdf)

Jason Tramm era (2007-present)

2024 Choir Festival - July 20

• Flyer (pdf)

2024 Choir Reunion Concert - April 13, Cindy Bell directing, Nancy Paugh accompanying

• Program (pdf)

2023 Sacred Masterworks: Sacred Gems

• Program
• Full recording of concert
• The Creation (Haydn) "Representation of Chaos", "In the Beginning" and "And the Spirit"(bass Justin Beck and chorus)
• The Creation "The Marvelous Work" (soprano Kara Goodrich and chorus)
• The Creation "Rolling in Foaming Billows" (bass Justin Beck and chorus)
• Come Away to the Skies: A High Lonesome Mass (Tim Sharp) Kyrie (bass Justin Beck, soprano Martha Ellen Smith, tenor Ron Naldi, mezzo Laura Zahn and chorus, Susan Heerema on fiddle) Conducted by Tim Sharp
• Come Away to the Skies: A High Lonesome Mass (Tim Sharp) Gloria (chorus, Susan Heerema on fiddle)
• The Creation "Awake the Harp" (tenor Ronald Naldi and chorus)
• Stabat Mater (Rossini) "Inflammatus" (soprano Kara Goodrich and chorus)
• Stabat Mater (Rossini) "Cujus Animam" (tenor Ronald Naldi)
• The Creation "The Most Beautiful Appear" and "The Lord is Great" (soprano Kara Goodrich, tenor Ronald Naldi, bass Justin Beck and chorus)
• Petit Messe Solennelle (Rossini) "Agnus Dei" (mezzo Laura Zahn and chorus)
• The Creation "Sing the Lord, Ye Voices All" (soprano Kara Goodrich, mezzo Laura Zahn, tenor Ronald Naldi, bass Justin Beck and chorus)
• The Resurrection (Gounod) "Unfold Ye Portals Everlasting" (tenor Ronald Naldi and chorus)

2023 Choir Festival

• Flyer (pdf)
• Program (pdf)
• Full recording of the Festival (YouTube)
• Hope For Resolution (Facebook video)

2022 Choir Reunion - Nov. 12, 2022 at St. Paul's.

• Program

2022 Sacred Masterworks: Sacred Music Across the Ages

• Program (pdf)
• Full Concert recording
• Overture (Mass in C)-- Beethoven
• Kyrie (Mass in C) -- Beethoven
• Sunrise (Gloria) (Sunrise Mass) -- Ola Gjeilo
• Credo (High Lonesome Mass) -- Tim Sharp/Wes Ramsey -- Conducted by by Tim Sharp
• Offertorio (Requiem Mass) -- Verdi
• Sanctus (Saint Cecelia Mass) -- Gounod
• Benedictus (Saint Cecelia Mass) -- Gounod
• Agnus Dei (High Lonesome Mass) -- Tim Sharp/Wes Ramsey -- Conducted by by Tim Sharp
• Worthy Is the Lamb (Messiah) -- Handel

2022 Choir banquet

• Flyer and reservation form

2022 68th Choir Festival -- Lift High the Cross

• Program (pdf)
• Podcast with Jason, Monica Ziglar, and Thomas Berdos
• Jason's promo clip
• Festival flyer (pdf)
• Invitation letter (pdf)
• Registration form (pdf)
• Dinner Reservation form (pdf)

2021 Sacred Masterworks: "Hear My Prayer"

• Program
• Livestream full recording (sound missing until shortly into Trotta, then quality is bad after first piece)
• "Gloria" - Michael Trotta Monica Ziglar, soprano and Justin Beck, Bass
• "Laudamus Te" - Mozart -- Alison Gish, contralto
• Hear My Prayer" - Mendelssohn -- Monica Ziglar, soprano
• "Igesmisco" - Verdi (from Requiem) -- Ronald Naldi, tenor
• Requiem - Faure -- Monica Ziglar, soprano and Justin Beck, Bass

2021 -- 67th Choir Festival -- He Leadeth Me

• Festival Program (pdf)
• Choir Festival full recording
•     Brass prelude
•     He Watching Over Israel (Mendelssohn), conductor Fiona Smith Sutherland
•     Give Me Jesus (Fleming), conducted by Everett McCorvey
•     On the Third Day (Pote), conducted by Marina Alexander, mezzo Allison Gish
•     O God, Our Help in Ages Past (Watts), congregational hymn conducted by Jason Tramm
•     You Are My Refuge (Trotta), conducted by Michael Trotta, soprano Monica Zieglar
•     The Storm Is Passing Over (Baker), conducted by Rider Foster
•     Sing Me to Heaven (Gawthorp), Auditorium Quartet
•     Ocean Grove Auditorium Usher's March and Doxology (Kohlmann) played by Gordon Turk
•     He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought (Gilmore), congregational hymn conducted by Jason Tramm
•     It Is Well with My Soul (Beck), conducted by Cindy Bell
•     There Is a Balm in Gilead (Dawson), conducted by Everett McCorvey
•     Agnus Dei (High Lonesome Mass) (Sharp), conducted by Jason Tramm
•     Through It All He Leads Me (Boesiger), conducted by Kevin Boesiger
•     Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Chilsom), congregational hymn conducted by Jason Tramm
•     Hallelujah (Mount of Olives) (Beethoven), conducted by Jason Tramm
• Choir festival flyer (pdf)
• Choir festival registration form (pdf)
• Choir festival cover letter (pdf)
• Choir festival dinner flyer (pdf)

2020 -- Coronavirus pandemic disrupted the summer season.

Jason Tramm organized a "virtual choir" with the assistance of Gordon Turk and Quinton Tramm for the Sunday anthems:

• Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
• The King of Love My Shepherd Is
• When In Our Music God is Glorified
• God Bless America
• Followers of the Lamb
• Lauda Anima
• Ride On, King Jesus
• It Is Well With My Soul
• I Believe
• For the Beauty of the Earth
• Be Thou My Vision
• Soon and Very Soon
• Joy In the Morning
• Shine, Jesus, Shine

2020 (66th) Choir Festival

The Choir Festival was rescheduled to August 30, but with the pandemic still raging, no group singing was allowed.

Jason Tramm and his son Quinton organized a "virtual" choir festival with five anthems, orgen selections by Gordon Turk, a quartet, and a brass piece that was shown to a limited audience of 100 plus overflow in the Tabernacle.

• Flyer (pdf)
Note, this was never mailed out due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
• Program (pdf)
• Opening organ prelude plus The Old One Hundredth Psalm (mp4, captured by hand in the Auditorium)NOT FOUND
• Sing My Heart to Heaven (Gawthorp)-- This quartet piece was cut from the video, but it's wonderful
• Framed "thank-you" photo for Jason & Quinton from the Choir NOT FOUND
• Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah Jason Tramm conducting NOT FOUND

2019 Choir Reunion - November 16

• Program (pdf)

2019 Sacred Concert - Selections from Messiah

• Poster (pdf)
• Program (pdf)
• Live stream of concert (youtube)

2019 (65th) Choir Festival

• Flyer (pdf)
• Program (pdf)
• Promo video
• Live stream of entire Festival (gap omitted At The Name of Jesus, I Believe, and part of No Time)
• At the Name of Jesus (Rene Clausen), conductor Dr. Jason Tramm
• I Believe (Mark Miller), soloist Katharine Pracht, conductor Dr. Mark Boyle
• No Time (arr Susan Brumfield), conductor Dr. Cindy Bell
• God of Ages, God Eternal (Thomas Juneau), conductor Dr. Thomas Juneau
• The Ground (Ola Gjeilo), conductor Rider Foster video
• Lift Thine Eyes (Elijah, Mendelssohn), conductor Sarah Michal
• The Pilgrim's Chorus (Tannhauser, Wagner), conductor John Palitucci
• Jacob's Ladder (Calvin Hampton), conductor Dr. Jason Tramm
• Great is Thy Faithfulness (arr Nathan Carter), soloist Katharine Pracht, conductor Dr. J. Donald Dumpson
• Upon this Rock (John Ness Beck), conductor Dr. Jason Tramm

2018 - Choir Reunion, Montgomery UM Church

• Program (pdf)
• Photo of Jason & Gordon (jpg)

2018 Sacred Masterworks concert: "Music of the Spirit": Songs of Faith (Gwyneth Walker), Gloria (John Rutter)

• Program (pdf)
• Article on NJTV Website
• Offertory - Gordon Turk on the Hope-Jones Organ Video (snippet)
• Songs of Faith - 1. We Stand on a Rock (ending) Video
• Songs of Faith - 4. Were You There (trumpet: JoAnn Lamolino), organ (Gordon Turk) Video
• Songs of Faith - 5. Abide With Me Video
• Songs of Faith - 6. Where Moses Stood Video of first 2 minutes   Video of last 2 minutes (courtesy of Blogfinger)
• Gloria - I Video

Jason's selfie with Dr. Gwyneth Walker at dress rehearsal

2018 Choir Festival - Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

• Flyer (pdf)
• Program (pdf)
• Live stream of entire Festival Video
• "Chords of Love", Gwyneth Walker; Katharine Pracht, soloist; conductor Andrew Monath Video
• "Our God, Our Help in Ages Past", conducted by composer Mark Miller, Video
• "In Dat Great Gittin' Up Mornin", Jester Hairston; Ronald Naldi, soloist, C. Everett McCorvey, conductor. Video
• "Ho, Everyone That Thirsteth", Will MacFarlane; Ronald Naldi, soloist, Jason Tramm, conductor. Video
• "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee", Simeone. Dr. Cindy Bell, conductor Mp4 file
• "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross", G. Martin. Jason Tramm, conductor Video
• "Greater Love Hath No Man", John Ireland; Ron Naldi, Monica Ziglar, and Justin Beck soloists; conducted by C. Everett McCorvey Video
• "And Can It Be", Joseph Martin, composer and conductor. Video

2017 Sacred Masterwork -- In the Footsteps of Our Saviour - Saint-Saens "Christmas Oratorio" and DuBois "Seven Last Words of Christ"

• Poster
• Promo that ran on WABC radio, laid over photos
• Program (pdf)
• First Word - DuBois
• Second Word
• Third Word
• Fourth Word
• Fifth Word
• Sixth Word
• Seventh Word

2017 Choir Festival - In the Footsteps of Our Saviour

• Flyer (pdf)
• Program (pdf)
• Promo Video Video
• "Beautiful Savior" - conducted by Shea Velloso Video
• "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" - world premiere, composed and conducted by Thomas Juneau Video
• "In His Steps" - world premiere, composed and conducted by Kevin Boesiger Video
• "Ride On King Jesus" -- Fountain,conducted by Everett McCorvey Video
• "Give Me Jesus" -- Dr. Cindy Bell conducting Video

2017 July 4th Parade

2017 New choir shirts - modeled by Choir Secretary Steven Buckley.

2017 Choir Reunion concert - (Dr. Cindy Bell Conducting) March 11 Program

2016 Sacred Masterwork - Elijah (Mendelssohn) poster (jpg) and Program (pdf)

• Part 1 (audio recording)
• Part 2
• Video of final chorus (YouTube recording, courtesy of Lee Wanaselja

2016 - "Jason in the Grove", a celebration of Jason's 10th year in Ocean Grove -- opera in 3 acts written by Harris Whitley

2016 Festival - Program (pdf) Photo Album

• I Hear the Heavens Sing (Thomas Juneau, composer and conductor) - World Premiere
• Amazing Grace (Mack Wilberg, composer; Jason Tramm, conductor)

2016 Choir Reunion Concert - Program (pdf)

2015 Sacred Masterwork - Grace and Peace, works of Mendelssohn, Vivaldi, and Bernstein - Program (pdf)

2015 Festival - Program (pdf)

• Unto Us a Child is Born (Handel; Messiah)
• Canticle of Peace (Joseph Martin, composer & conductor)
• Goin' To the Holy City (Joseph Martin, composer & pianist, Jason Tramm, conductor)
• Rehearsal clip
• Great is Thy Faithfulness (congregational hymn, conducted by Jason Tramm)
• Lord Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace (Cindy Bell, conductor)
• Healing Light, A Celtic Prayer (Karl Jenkins, composer; Mark Boyle, conductor)
• Peace, Triumphant Peace (Jenkins; Jason Tramm conductor, plus Auditorium Quartet)
• Dona Nobis Pacem (Mark Miller, composer & conductor)

2015: Grace Church and Ralph, July 4 Parade

2014 Sacred Masterwork: The Messiah (Handel)

• Program (pdf)
• Hallelujah Chorus
• The Trumpets Shall Sound; Worthy Is the Lamb Justin Beck, bass

2014 Festival Program (pdf)

• Many Waters Ronald Naldi, tenor, Justin Beck, baritone
• The Heavens Are Telling (Hayden) Jason Tramm, conductor; also congregational hymn, "O For a Thousand Tongues"
• How Should A King Come (Owens) Cindy Bell, conductor
• Sing (Widnor/Willcocks) Jason Tramm, conductor
• Canticle of Salvation (Juneau) Thomas Juneau, conductor

2013 Sacred Masterwork: Baroque Treasures by Bach and Handel: Program

2013 Festival - Program (pdf)

• Gaudete (Juneau) - dress rehearsal, Thomas Juneau, conductor

2012 Sacred Masterwork: Stabat Mater (Dvorak) Preview, NJ.com

2012 Festival - Program (pdf)

• All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name (Hayes) Marci Major, conductor
• My Eternal King) (Marshall Noel Piercy, conductor
• It is Well With my Soul (offertory, Festival Brass)
• Pilgrim's Hymn (Paulus) Cindy Bell, conductor. Also "When I survey the wondrous cross" (Watts), Lewis Daniels, conductor
• The King of Love My Shepherd Is (Wilberg) Shea Vellosa, conductor. Also "Inflammatus" from Stabat Mater (Rossini), Jason Tramm, conductor and Monica Ziglar, soprano
• Come Thou Almighty King (congregational anthem) Jason Tramm, conductor. Also "Ride on, King Jesus" (Boatner) Eric Townell, conductor and Monica Ziglar (soprano), Ronald Naldi (tenor), Jeremy Gaylon (bass)
• Hope for Resolution (Caldwell) Jason Tramm, conductor, and featuring OG's youth choir, Annointed by Him

2011 September 11 Remembrance Service Program
2011 Sacred Masterwork -- cancelled due to Hurricane Irene; planned to perform "Songs of Faith" by Gwyneth Walker
2011 Festival - Program (pdf)

• Where Moses Stood - Gwyneth Walker, conducted by Jason Tramm. Video

2010 Sacred Masterwork - The Creation (Hayden) Review in Newark Star-Ledger
2010 Festival - Program (pdf)
2009 Sacred Masterwork - Stabat Mater (Rossini)
2009 Festival - Program (pdf)
2008 Sacred Masterwork - Symphony #2, Hymn of Praise (Mendelssohn)
2008 Festival - Program (pdf)
2007 Festival - Program (pdf)

Paul E. Oakley era (2005-2006)

2012 Obituary
2006 - Elijah - Program (pdf)
2006 Festival - Program (pdf)
2005 Festival - Program (pdf)

Lewis Daniels era (c. 1966-2004)

2012: Lewis Daniels Obituary (Asbury Park Press)
2004 Great Masterworks - Poster for Brahms' German Requiem (jpg)
2004 Festival - Program (pdf) (pdf) -- 50th Anniversary

• Let This Mind Be in You (Courtney), Thomas Berdos conducting

2003 Festival - Program (pdf)
2002 Great Masterworks - Program (pdf)
2002 Festival - Program (pdf)
2001 Great Masterworks - Program (pdf)
2001 Festival - Program (pdf)
2000 Great Masterworks - Program (pdf)
2000 Festival - Program (pdf)

• The Lord Bless You and Keep You (Rutter)
• Hallelujah Chorus Handel's Messiah
• Our God Our Help in Ages Past (congregational hymn)

1999 Sacred Masterwork: Elijah - Program (pdf)
1999 Festival - Program (pdf)
1998 Festival - Program (pdf)
1997 Festival - Program (pdf)
1996 Festival - Program (pdf)
1995 Festival - Program (pdf)
1994 Bishop Hymn Sing - Program
1994 Festival - Program (pdf)
1993 Elijah - Program (pdf)
1992 Festival - if you have a copy of this program please send it to us
1991 Festival - Program (pdf)
1990 Festival - Program (pdf)

Delaine Terpening Sarraf's collection of Festival ribbons

1989 United for Christ Concert - Program
1989 Ein Deutsches Requiem - Program (pdf)
1989 Festival - Program (pdf)
1988 Festival - Program (pdf)
1987 Festival - Program (pdf)
The first hour of the festival was recorded:

• Prayer for the choir, Mark Hastings, conductor
• Rejoice Ye Pure in Heart (hymn), Lew Daniels, conductor
• Lauda Anima, Clayton White, conductor
• O How Amiable, Richard Harley, conductor, John Harley at the organ
• Lift Thine Eyes to the Mountains, Mary Eichorn conductor
• Beautiful Savior, Mertine Johns, mezzo soprano David Clyde Morse, conductor
• Here Yet Awhile, Robert F. Davis, conductor
• Daybreak, Ralph Winters, conductor
• Usher's March & Doxology
• To God Be the Glory (hymn), Lew Daniels conducting
• The Shepherd's Farewell to the Holy Family, Cindy Bell, conductor

1986 Festival - Program (pdf)

Mid-1980's -- exact date unknown -- Gordon Turk made a cassette recording of Christmas tunes. Here are some digitized excerpts, courtesy of B. J. Lewis:

• Hark the Herald Angels Sing (mp3)
• It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (mp3)
• O Little Town of Bethlehem (mp3)
• Silent Night (mp3)
• Away in a Manger (mp3)
• O Holy Night (mp3)
• O Come All Ye Faithful (mp3)
• From Heaven Above (mp3)
• Angels We Have Heard on High (mp3)
• Unto Us a Son is Born (Messiah) (mp3)
• In Dulci Jubilo (mp3)
• The Echo Carol (mp3)
• Pastorale (Messiah) (mp3)
• Infant Holy, Infant Lowly (mp3)
• Joy to the World (mp3)

1985 Festival - Program (pdf)

• PBS Documentary (includes interviews with Lew Daniels, Anna Nichols about the start of the festival)
• Video of 1985 choir festival
• Worthy Is the Lamb (Messiah/Handel) Lewis Daniels, conductor
• Article in Ocean Grove and Neptune Times(jpg) NOT FOUND

1984 Festival - Program (pdf)
1983 Festival - Program (pdf)
1982 Festival - Program (pdf)
1982 Festival - Review in Ocean Grove Times (jpg)
1981 Festival - Program (pdf)
1980 Festival - Preview in Ocean Grove Times (jpg)
1979 Festival (25th)

• Hallelujah Chorus (Handel, conducted by Richard Harley)
• How Firm a Foundation/Adeste Fideles (Keith)
• How Great Thou Art(Asbury Park Salvation Army Band)
• How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place (Brahams, conducted by Dr. J. Edward Hoy)
• Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee (Beethoven, conducted by Thomas Grasso)
• Joy in the Morning (Sleeth, conducted by Arthur J. Crouthamel)
• Like as a Father (Cherubini, conducted by Lester Davison, with children's choir?)
• New Frontier (Himes, Asbury Park Salvation Army Band)
• Pilgrim's Chorus (Wagner, conducted by Harry Eichorn)
• Salvation Is Created (Tschesnekoff, conducted by Lawrence Dilsner)
• Spur Us on to Do Thy Will (written and conducted by Patricia Wilhelm)
• The Lord's Prayer (Malotte)
• The Palms (Faure, conducted by Lois W. Norris)
• Unfold Ye Portals (Gounod, conducted by Lewis Daniels
• Usher's March and Doxology (Kohlmann, Gordon Turk, organist
• Awake! a Voice is Calling (Bach, Gordon Turk, organist
• The Battle Hymn of the Republic (Wilhousky, conducted by John R. Harley)

• LP Record cover
• LP Record contents
• LP Record Inside Photo

Herbert R. Howells (1933)

Howells was hired to take over the music program. However, he never actually took office.

• 1933: Article from Ocean Grove Times on his hiring

Walter David Eddowes era (c. 1933-1966)

1961: Obituary from Ocean Grove Times (jpg)
1957: 25th Year Celebration -- "Ye Servants of God" written for this occasion by Carl Mueller and dedicated to the Festival
1955: First Choir Festival - Program (jpg)
1952: Concert Preview (jpg)
1942: Ocean Grove Sacred Music Week (jpg)
1937: Choir photograph (jpg). From Nancy Ann Gillian, daughter of Kelly Truit, age 12 in this photo

1933: Ocean Grove Times report of his hire and his first Sunday

Donald Chalmers era (c. 1930-1932)

Mr. Chalmers had frequently performed in the Auditorium for more than 20 years as a bass soloist and assistant to Taliesen Morgan before being named music director.

1932: Passion Play Preview | Review
1931: Season preview
1930: Excerpt from OG Times article on Camp Meeting
1930: Oratorio: The New Earth
1930: Auditorium concerts failing - Hotels to discuss solution
1930: Concert notice - Criterion Quartet
1930: July 4 Auditorium Program notice
1926: Recording of Donald Chalmers singing bass in the Criterion Quartet.

Joseph Lincoln Hall era (c. 1918-1930?)

Biographical Sketch
1922: Absalom (J. Lincoln Hall) world premiere: PreviewNOT FOUND Review
1892: Songs of Sovereign Grace edited by Hall

Homer Rodeheaver era (c. 1915-1918)

Wikipedia article
1918: Rodeheaver leaves for WWI
1916: "Joseph" - a biblical drama Rodeheaver sung the title role and Donald Chalmers sang basso along with a chorus of 1000.
1916: APP Announcement of Rodeheaver's hiring as Music Director
1915: New York Times announcement of Rodeheaver taking over Camp Meeting music.
1913: Recording of Rodeheaver's Unclouded Day (Youtube)

Tali Esen (Taliesen) Morgan era (c. 1898-1915)

1915: Handel's Messiah performed
1914: Elijah program
1911: Handel's Messiah preview
1908: Song service, Donald Chalmers a featured soloist
1905: Elijah review
1905: Asbury Park Daily News article on summer plans
1903: Ocean Grove Times News article on summer plans
1903: Stabat Mater ticket
1902: Ocean Grove Times article about winter chorus
1899: Asbury Park Daily Press article on summer plans
1898: Handel's Messiah performed
1895: Handel's Messiah performed

Walter Damrosch era (c. 1895-1898)

1929: Very old "RCA Photophone" film of Damrosch
1897: Wax cylinder recordings from summer 1897, including a poem read by Fanny Crosby
1896:

• Ad & review, "On Joyful Wing" 1896 Song Book by Dr. Sweeney
• Harper's Weekly Drawing of Music Festival
  
  "The Second Annual Music Festival at Ocean Grove"

John R. Sweeney era (c. 1880-1895)

1895: Ad for 1895 Song Book by Dr. Sweeney

Willisford Dey era (1878 - c. 1880)

CDs of recent Choir Festivals

© 2025 Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, 54 Pitman Avenue, PO Box 248, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756