Chuck Stanley, Nova Singers’ musical direc<strong>to</strong>r. Nova Singers still going strong By ELLIOT GOLDENBERG During the summer of 1976, as the nation was celebrating the bicentennial anniversary of its h<strong>is</strong><strong>to</strong>ric birth, a different kind of birth was taking place in Broward County as well – that of a chorus. That chorus would eventually become known as the Nova Singers. It came about not by a stroke of Thomas Jefferson’s quill pen, however. It became a reality after one of the local colleges d<strong>is</strong>continued its own community chorus and Peggy Joyce Barber, musical direc<strong>to</strong>r at Stranahan High School – and later inducted in<strong>to</strong> <strong>Florida</strong>’s Music Educa<strong>to</strong>rs Hall of Fame – decided <strong>to</strong> take the bull (or the French horn) by the horn. Still, as a new would-be chorus gathered in her living room, it soon became clear <strong>to</strong> Barber and her small group of vocal<strong>is</strong>ts that they really had no idea about what was involved in starting or running a chorus. Not <strong>to</strong> be deterred, they knew that they wanted <strong>to</strong> give it a try. And they soon found a kindred spirit in Nova University – <strong>to</strong>day known as Nova <strong>South</strong>eastern University. Special Olympics honors its 2012 <strong>to</strong>p Broward County Award Winners Special Olympics Broward County, based on Nova <strong>South</strong>eastern University, recently hosted its 2012 annual awards ceremony, recognizing all the athletes, sponsors, volunteers and friends who had helped the organization continue its effort <strong>to</strong> provide free services <strong>to</strong> nearly 800 athletes annually. Th<strong>is</strong> year’s honorees included: Gale Butler and Dr. Richard W. Meli, honorary board members of the year; The Current, NSU’s newspapers, as media organization of the year award; Kathleen Hanks, Timothy Gillette Law Enforcement Torch Run Award; Kerri Leonardo, Ivy McMahon Inspirational Athlete Leadership Award; Meredith Adams of University School of NSU, youth volunteer of the year award; Joe Brill coach of the year award; Lykes Family, family of the year award: Sue Brill, Melvin and Phyll<strong>is</strong> Zarefsky Volunteer of the Year award; Jennifer Brill, The Dan Taft Athlete of the Year award; Nova <strong>South</strong>eastern university, recipient of The Pinion Inc. local organization of the year award; and Paul Sallarulo, Special Olympics Broward County Hall of Fame induction. The awards ceremony was hosted at NSU, which <strong>is</strong> home <strong>to</strong> the Special Olympics Broward County Chapter, the only chapter in the nation that <strong>is</strong> housed at a private university. 1 Paul Sallarulo, at podium, <strong>is</strong> inducted in<strong>to</strong> the Special Olympics Broward County Hall of Fame. 2 Dr. Richard W. Meli, second from right, was named honorary board member of the year. With him, from left, are Paul Sallarulo and Johanne Marcoux; Paul Meli Sr., center; and Dr. Meli’s wife Dione, right 3 Gale Butler <strong>is</strong> recipient of one of two honorary board members of the year. 4 Linda Mills, left, executive direc<strong>to</strong>r of Special Olympics Broward, presents award for Pinion Local Organization of the Year <strong>to</strong> NSU student and George Hanbury, president of Nova <strong>South</strong>eastern University, recipient of the award. 5 Youth Volunteer of the Year Meredith Adams with NSU President George Hanbury. 6 Joe Brill receives the “Coach of the Year” award. With him are wife Mindy and daughter. 7 Kevin Precadio, right, accepts the Media Organization of the Year award for NSU’s “Current” publication. 16 It would prove <strong>to</strong> be a match made in musical heaven. While Nova University didn’t have a music program at the time, the school nevertheless agreed <strong>to</strong> become the fledgling chorus’ sponsor. So with borrowed music, and within a few months, the group proved ready for “prime time” – and presented its first concert as the Nova University Singers. The group, which in time became known as the Nova Singers, would expand <strong>to</strong> the more than 140 singers it has <strong>to</strong>day – none of whom get paid – while maintaining a music library of more than 700 selections. With a reper<strong>to</strong>ire as diverse as its members, the group continues <strong>to</strong> play classics <strong>to</strong> Jazz – and just about everything in-between. In the immortal words of Sonny and Cher, “The beat goes on.” Barber, the founder and direc<strong>to</strong>r emeritus, <strong>is</strong> still with the group. Anthony Ciotti <strong>is</strong> the group’s accompan<strong>is</strong>t and Chuck Stanley <strong>is</strong> musical direc<strong>to</strong>r “Probably my greatest sat<strong>is</strong>faction <strong>is</strong> seeing the joy on the singers’ faces as they perform,” said Stanley, who also 1 2 The Nova Singers appear in formal attire as they prepare <strong>to</strong> please yet another audience who appreciate fine music. 4 5 7 <strong>is</strong> a past president of the Nova Singers, and, like Barber, has been with the group since its inception. A charter member of the choral group, who sings bari<strong>to</strong>ne, Stanley once <strong>to</strong>ok the Nova Singers <strong>to</strong> perform at New York’s Carnegie Hall. Simply put, the Nova Singers, like their direc<strong>to</strong>r, rel<strong>is</strong>h the simple joy of performing in front of an audience – especially a large audience. “Because they truly love what they do, and the singers definitely enjoy each other, our group has a real family atmosphere,” Stanley said. And the fin<strong>is</strong>hed product, he believes – good enough <strong>to</strong> perform at Carnegie Hall – <strong>is</strong> the sum of all its parts. “You could say,” said Stanley, “that it’s a real team sport.” For the remainder of th<strong>is</strong> year the Nova Singers are scheduled <strong>to</strong> perform on November 30, December 2, and December 4. For more information including times and locations of the performances, please go <strong>to</strong> the Nova Singers’ website at www.nova.edu/novasingers. 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