AREA – He’s Dr. Martin Sedek but don’t call him Doc. He’s known by all in the Choral Art Society of New Jersey (CAS) as Marty. No undo formality with this approachable gentleman who has been described as a kind, gentle person. For over a decade, he has been the conductor of the musical family of singers and now it’s time to say goodbye. The word “bittersweet” often accompanies the word “goodbye” when a family member moves away. And such is the word musical director Sedek uses for the upcoming concert on May 4, “The Brothers Haydn” where he will be saying that word to the Choral Art Society of NJ that he has headed for the last 12 years. “They have been a second family to me for all these years,” he said in a phone interview. “They have shared big occasions with me – my meeting my wife, getting engaged, getting married and the birth of our two children.” He jokingly shared he may be the first male choral director to be thrown a shower.
He has resigned to move on to another position, one with the Masterworks Chorus of Chatham that has 110 voices and sings Handel’s Messiah at Carnegie Hall every December. He worked with them as an associate from 2014-220, so he knows people there. In fact, he says, there are six or seven “crossover” vocalists from CAS who also belong to Masterworks so some of the faces will be familiar. “This is an exciting time for me starting a new chapter,” he shared.
While a new chapter is exhilarating for him, the members of CAS are feeling their loss already. Patricia DeMallie, president of this avocational singers group who are dedicated to the study and performance of the great choral masterpieces explains the family connection. “There are so many wonderful memories of Marty, I don’t know where to begin,” she explained. Having joined the group in 2017, she remembers that she wanted to go to Austria with them to sing the Mozart “Requiem.”After she went, she knew she would be a part of this family. She’s been president for two years and spoke tenderly of the closeness of the group especially during the pandemic. “Marty was such a good sport on zoom meetings where he went over music, spoke of music theory and history, and then just let us have a social time.” Knowing what the group needed at just the right time, he encouraged safe, outdoor gatherings and potluck dinners in the backyard of member Joanne Roth. “He’s a caring person, a natural teacher, and is a delight to work with,” she continued. She spoke of the special memories of singing some of the composer’s own music.
He remembers that fondly, too, with gratitude. “It is amazing for a composer of music to have their work recorded by a professional orchestra and sung by a dedicated group of singers. The board of CAS was so generous in affording me the gift of letting me share my compositions,” he said.
The family theme will echo at “The Brothers Hayden,” the upcoming concert where, as Dr. Sedek put it, “We’re going back to basics.” After the pandemic, he explained they became more adventurous in their programing. The May 4 event is going to present “what this group was born to do. It will be a homecoming of sorts,” he said. The program includes music by classical music’s famous siblings Michael, and Joseph Haydn considered to be the “father of the symphony.” Especially anticipated on the program are the “Lord Nelson Mass,” “Te Deum,” and “Mass in C Major.”
At one of the rehearsals last week Marty Sedek, leader, music director and extended family member, warned the choir members, “Be ready for the longest fermata ever on that last note.” It’s hard to let go. Pass the tissues.
