Join us for this year’s HSNBH Annual Meeting at the beautiful Calvary Presbyterian Church in Newburgh (South and Grand Streets). We are pleased to welcome Dr. Christopher Brellochs (SUNY Schenectady) who will deliver a keynote lecture entitled “Black Music in Gilded Age Newburgh” exploring the music and story of Ulysses Alsdorf (1872-1952), Newburgh’s celebrated African-American composer. Calvary’s own Joseph Bush will complement the talk with a performance of selections of Alsdorf’s rarely heard works. Light refreshments will follow what promises to be a wonderful program. This special lecture and performance is free and open to the public.

Dr. Christopher Brellochs is an internationally recognized speaker, conductor, performer, music historian, and educator. A preeminent scholar on the music of the Gilded Age he portrayed composer/conductor John Knowles Paine in the HBO series The Gilded Age (Season 1, Episode 4) and assisted with the historical accuracy of the scene; for Season 3 he consulted with the production team on appropriate musical selections. He is a frequent speaker, performer, and conductor for the Preservation Society of Newport County at mansions like Rosecliff and the Breakers. Dr. Brellochs is Dean of the School of Music at SUNY Schenectady and holds music degrees from Rutgers University, New York University, and Ithaca College.