Roasting (and Toasting) Ernie Return to Director's Biographical Page

Did you know that J. Ernest Green marks his 20 th as Annapolis Chorale Music Director during the 2004-2005 season? In an industry marked by frequent moves, this is a true milestone and a chance for the Chorale to thank its lucky stars that he has chosen to stay.

Ernie's 20 years with the Chorale have seen the organization grow from a small group of dedicated singers performing once or twice a year in 1985 to a multi-faceted organization with a national reputation for excellence and creativity as well as a mission that embraces music performance and education for all ages. Now, the Chorale includes nearly 300 active participants on a weekly basis, performs seven full concerts each season, has its own orchestra, the Annapolis Youth Chorus , sponsors a music program that brings regional musicians to town, supports a scholarship program for high-school singers and MusicWorks, a partnership with school music programs. If that weren't enough, the Chorale has also launched a mentoring program to help conservatory graduates move from the classroom to the stage. We have Mr. Green to thank for all of the above.

How should the Chorale and the community at large say thanks to a person who has spent 20 years working so hard on behalf of music and the arts? Why, roast him, of course!

Entitled "The Importance of Being J. Ernest" (with a nod to Oscar Wilde), the Chorale's annual gala fundraiser for 2005 is a celebrity roast of Ernie Green. Guaranteed to entertain and amuse, the evening is hosted by master of ceremonies Tony Spencer and features a mixture of the best local talent, the Chorale's favorite guest artists and the Full Chorus. Scheduled to appear are Stef Scaggiari, Sue Matthews, Amy Cofield, Sarah Blaskowsky, Andre Bierman, Stephen Markuson, Ryan DeRyke, Susan Fleming and Mack Bailey, to name a few. Also on hand to salute Ernie and to share their favorite stories are several friends of long standing, among them Ed Polichik, John Starr and Tom Maggette. The evening will also include a celebratory champagne toast to Ernie and several surprises along the way.

The event will be held at the Loews Annapolis Hotel on January 15, 2005 . A cocktail reception for Ernie will be held in the Atrium at 6:00 p.m. followed by a gourmet dinner at 7:30 p.m. in the ballroom. Tickets for this event are $100/person and $190/couples. Tables of 10 may be purchased for $1,000. Proceeds from this event benefit the Annapolis Chorale ; a portion of the price is tax deductible. To make sure you don't miss this one-of-a-kind event, make your reservation now. Just call the Chorale office at 410-263-1906.

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