Classic American songs from the pre-rock ‘n’ roll era will reverberate through the sanctuary of Chatham’s Gloria Dei Lutheran Church during a free concert at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, November 6.

Performing will be the church’s minister of music, Tom Booth, who appears with his opera-singer wife, Carol Bayard. The pair will present an evening of popular songs from The Great American Songbook, with music from Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Cole Porter and other favorites

"We are thrilled to have this evening to enjoy the songs that Tom and Carol offer," said Pastor Eric Trozzo of Gloria Dei. "Tom is a gifted musician with a talent for making music accessible and meaningful to everyone. We are glad to have this opportunity for him to share his gifts here beyond Sunday worship."

Trozzo noted that while admission to the concert is free, attendees are encouraged to offer a freewill donation toward Gloria Dei’s Music Scholars Program, which is an outreach program linking students from Drew University with the congregation through music programs.

Booth has had a long and varied musical career that includes more than 20 years in New York City as a conductor, coach/accompanist, cabaret pianist and singer, organist and music teacher. He has opera-conducting credits that include the New York City Opera, San Francisco Opera and companies from Rhode Island to California and Michigan to Texas. Now living in Maplewood, he divides his time between public-school music and church music with a part-time freelance schedule of playing and conducting.

The upcoming concert on November 6 will feature the cabaret side of his talents. Bayard was a leading soprano for more than 10 years with the New York City Opera and has sung with many major opera companies and symphonies in the United States, including those in San Francisco, Houston, Fort Worth, Atlanta, Cleveland, Michigan and Ohio. In 1970, she created the role of Curley’s Wife in the World Premier of Carlisle Floyd’s opera Of Mice and Men with the Seattle Opera. Early on she toured with the Martyn Green Co., singing many of the leading soprano roles in Gilbert & Sullivan operettas.

"We have performed our duo-act for many diverse groups," said Booth, "We have found the most appreciative audiences are those who still enjoy the music of composers like George Gershwin, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin."

The concert will be followed by a wine and root-beer tasting. Those attending are encouraged to bring a friend and consider contributing a bottle of wine or root beer to savor along with good conversation.

For more information, contact the church at (973) 635-5889