WESTFIELD – The New Jersey Festival Orchestra, under the baton of Music Director David Wroe, invites audiences to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with Return of the 3 Holiday Tenors, a festive concert of timeless holiday classics, operatic showstoppers, and symphonic sparkle. Performances will be held on Saturday, December 6 at 7 p.m. at The Presbyterian Church in Westfield, and Sunday, December 7 at 3 p.m. at Drew University in Madison.
Back by popular demand, this annual NJFO tradition brings together three distinguished tenors, John Kun Park, Luke Norvell, and Michael Deshield, for an evening of thrilling voices, lush orchestral arrangements, and heartwarming seasonal music. The concert also features the Holy Trinity Choir of Westfield and the CentralAvenue Choir of Madison, joining forces with the orchestra to fill the concert hall with the spirit and sound of the holidays.
TenorJohnKunParkhasbeenlauded for his “stentorian voice” and commanding presence (Almanac), qualities that have established him as one of opera’s rising stars. Park’s 2025–2026 season includes leading roles as Samson in Samson et Dalila with West Bay Opera and Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly with Opera on the James, following acclaimed performances in Otello, Il Trovatore, and La Bohème. With his powerful voice and emotional depth, Park brings both grandeur and grace to the stage.
A recent resident artist of the Academy of Vocal Arts, Luke Norvell has earned praise for his “dramatic intensity and evenness of line, along with a big-house sense of amplitude” (Parterre Box). In the 2025–2026 season, Norvell makes a series of major débuts with Opera Roanoke, Sarasota Opera, and the Canadian Opera Company, following appearances at the Princeton Festival and the Internationale Meistersinger Akademie in Germany. His performances are marked by warmth, lyricism, and a commanding vocal presence that captivates audiences across genres.
Rounding out the trio, Michael Deshield brings a bright, expressive tenor and dynamic artistry that have quickly earned him national recognition. A winner of the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition (Indiana District), Deshield has appeared with Sarasota Opera, Indianapolis Opera, and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. His performances, noted for their “pleasantly throbbing tone” and sincerity, blend youthful energy with an innate musical sensitivity that shines in both classical and contemporary repertoire.
Together, these exceptional artists join Maestro Wroe and the NJ Festival Orchestra for a concert brimming with joy, nostalgia, and spectacular sound; a celebration that promises to lift hearts and fill the season with music.
The festivities continue later in the month as NJFO presents its NewYear’s Eve celebration, Broadway Through the Ages, on Wednesday, December 31, at 5 p.m. at Westfield High School and Thursday, January 1, at 2:30 p.m. at theSieminskiTheaterinBaskingRidge. GuestsoloistsTessMarshall,LisaMarie Rogali, and Peter Kendall Clark, along with stars from the Dance Theater of Harlem, join the orchestra for a dazzling symphonic tribute to Broadway’s greatest hits, a glamorous and spirited way to ring in the New Year.
For tickets and more information, visit www.njfestivalorchestra.org or call (908) 580-3892.
