Five Questions for Ethan Galvin

Ethan Galvin spends his days working quietly at the , where he is in charge or adult programming, public relations and community outreach. But outside the library, Galvin is likely to be found raising his voice on a stage.

Galvin is one of 100 voices that make up the New Jersey Choral Society. Next month, he’ll perform with the NJCS at Radio City Music Hall in “Voices United,” a benefit concert for the Bob and Dolores Hope Broadway KidCare Center and Covenant Home’s Mother and Child program. Some 20 choruses (600 voices) will take the stage, along with host, actor Martin Sheen, and guest performers, Florence Henderson, Chita Rivera, Lucie Arnaz and Brian Stokes Mitchell, as well as a performance by the cast of the Tony Award-winning musical Memphis.

Now a resident of Bergen County, Galvin grew up in Middlebury, Vt. and attended Middlebury College. He has two master’s degrees, one in Theatre Management. Before coming to the library five years ago, he worked for professional theater companies, including Circle Repertory Theatre, an Off-Broadway theater in New York.

1. Is performing at Radio City your biggest performance to date?

Although performing at Radio City Music Hall is quite exciting, I've also performed with the New Jersey Choral Society (NJCS) at Carnegie Hall and at music festivals in Vienna and London.

2. Tell me about your involvement with the New Jersey Choral Society.

I've been a member of NJCS (an auditioned chorus with 100 members) for 12 years and I'm also responsible for publicizing all of NJCS' events.

3. When did you start singing?

I started singing with my high school chorus in Vermont and performed in several high school musicals. I also sang in the chorale at Middlebury College in Vermont and performed with them at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. After college, I sang with a couple of community choral groups and performed in several community theater musicals in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

4. What are you doing to prepare for Radio City?

The New Jersey Choral Society normally rehearses once a week, but in preparation for the Radio City Music Hall event we are rehearsing twice a week. The week before the concert, we will have three dress rehearsals at St. Malachy's, the Actors Chapel in New York and one dress rehearsal at Radio City Music Hall.

5. What do you like to read?

I like to read popular current fiction as well as historical fiction.

For more information and to order tickets to Voices United, visit www.voicesunited.com.