ColorBlindMusic Ministries
All Things Are Possible With God ~ Luke 1:37
Merry Christmas, New York City
Michael Zabrocki
Mark Forrest
The Young Disciples Ensemble
Featuring Irish Tenor
Raymond Arroyo
Andrew T. Miller
Raymond Arroyo Emcees "Merry Christmas, New York City!"
Tired of people trying to kick JESUS out of His own birthday, we decided to do something about it. Producer, LYNN GEYER, invites you to celebrate Christmas by joining us on Sunday, December 23, 2007 at 3:00pm for the 2nd Annual, "Merry Christmas, New York City!"
RAYMOND ARROYO, celebrated author and host of EWTN's "The World Over Live" is emceeing this spirited concert of Christmas music and inspirational witness taking place in the Zankel Hall at New York's historic Carnegie Hall.
Headlining the event is acclaimed international Irish tenor, MARK FORREST. Also on the program are MICHAEL ZABROCKI, local host of The Prayer Channel's "IcthusEQ" and KARA KLEIN, a gifted young singer/songwriter, best known for her moving song/video, "Beautiful Still" dedicated to the struggle of Terry Schiavo.. Also joining us, is the dynamic youth group, THE YOUNG DISCIPLES ENSEMBLE from Holy Rosary Parish in the Bronx under the direction of RASAAN BOURKE, accompanied by RICH BERRETTA. And as if all that wasn't enough, we are welcoming the incomparable, ANDREW T. MILLER, composer, conductor of the glorious "The Birth of Christ", filmed by Sony in Dublin, Ireland at Christ Church Cathedral. A last minute surprise arrangement is making it possible for some members of theChoir who performed in the historic video to join Mr. Miller in presenting selections from "The Birth of Christ".
The concert will benefit The Faith and Family Foundation assists families and children with special needs and disabilities.
Concert tickets are $60, $70 and $80 and available through CarnegieCharge, 212-247-7800, online at www.carnegiehall.org or at the box office at 57th St. and 7th Ave., NYC. Additional information is available at <www.MerryChristmasNewYorkCity.com>
Please join us to celebrate the REAL reason for the season.
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Raymond Arroyo / Master of Ceremonies
Raymond Arroyo is an award winning journalist best known as host and creator of EWTN’s international
news magazine, "The World Over Live", viewed globally in over 100 million homes. In this role, Arroyo has
interviewed leading figures of the day such as an exclusive sit down with Mel Gibson on the set of his
controversial film, “The Passion of the Christ” and a landmark interview with Pope Benedict XVI, the only
English language conversation ever recorded with the pontiff. Arroyo and his work have been featured on
The Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN Headline News to name a few and he has worked for
Associated Press and the political team of /Evans and Novak. He was a Capitol Hill correspondent,
published by The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times, The Financial Times, and The National
Catholic Register. A graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Arroyo also studied acting
and directing under numerous theatre legends including Stella Adler. He is author of the New York Times
Bestseller: “Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve and a Network of Miracles”
published by Doubleday, 2005. He resides in Northern Virginia with his wife Rebecca and their three
children. He is currently working on a mystery series and an original musical.
Please visit www.RaymondArroyo.com
Mark Forrest / International Irish Tenor
Mark was born in Dublin and educated at the Royal College of Music where he received a full scholarship
toward musical studies. He has 14 recordings, three of which are new releases, “Celtic Tales”, “Jesu, Joy
of Man’s Desiring” and “Father and Son” with his own Dad, Lawrence Forrest. Whether using Irish songs,
classic hymns or Broadway’s best inspirational melodies, Mark Forrest challenges his audience to
appreciate the importance of their faith and family life in today’s changing society. His glorious voice has
resonated throughout concert halls around the world and he has been honored to sing before Pope John
Paul II and Mother Teresa as well as many other leaders of our time. More than sharing his voice,
however, Mark is driven to share the work of the Faith and Family Foundation, an organization founded by
he and his wife, Muriel, in 1999 after the death of their 3rd son, from a severely compromised heart;
Francesco lived a mere 5 days. Their second son, John Patrick, has a rare nerve condition causing
blindness and confinement to a wheel chair. Their grief was nearly overwhelming but by the grace of God,
they turned their suffering into good through the work of the Foundation by assisting families/caregivers of
those with special needs. All proceeds from Mark’s concerts and CD sales go to the Foundation which is a
501(C ) 3 based in Virginia where Mark, Muriel and their six sons live.
Please visit www.MarkForrest.com
Kara Klein / Performing Artist ~ Songwriter ~ Speaker
Kara Christine Klein was born on Christmas Eve in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1985. She began singing
as a young child and started writing music when she was eight. In eighth grade she wrote and performed
the theme song for a local Christian Youth Festival. Shortly thereafter, Kara rapidly began writing music for
Jesus and has since written over 100 songs. She helped found the Hearts of Purity Club and served on
the state board for the Governor’s Program on Abstinence. Kara travels throughout the United States and
abroad singing and speaking on the subjects of chastity and the sanctity of life. Her award winning song
and video, “Beautiful Still”, a moving dedication to the terrible ordeal of Terry Schiavo, is but one of Kara’s
major accomplishments. She has performed with such notables as world-renowned Irish tenor Mark
Forrest, Dove Award winner Rachel Lampa, and Grammy Award winner Aaron Neville. Her utmost desire
for her music is that it will touch people’s hearts and bring them closer to Christ. Always active in musical
theatre, Kara is currently living in Santa Monica CA studying drama and voice.
Please visit www.KaraKlein.com
Andrew T. Miller / Composer ~ Conductor
Composer, conductor, pianist, and soloist, Andrew T. Miller, a notable Steinway Artist has recently become
a contracted artist with Sony BMG Classical. He has held musical posts including Music & Artistic Director
and Composer-In-Residence for several Greater Seattle area groups including the Christian contemporary
group, Crosswind, with whom he has four recordings. Andrew has numerous such credits to his name,
two of which are an arrangement of “Danny Boy”, included in National Geographic’s Destination Ireland
and “The Answer”, written for Hurricane Katrina relief and performed by soloist John B. Cooper and
members of both the Seattle Symphony and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. An album, “In Love
with Santa”, achieved platinum status in 2003. Andrew’s stunning contemporary cantata,“The Birth of
Christ”, recorded in Dublin, released by Sony BMG makes it’s NY debut here today with some of the
original cast! One of his full scale theatrical productions, “The Prodigal”, is planned to open on Broadway
in the 2008-2009 season and he is working on “The Passion and Resurrection” which will open in Spring,
2009. Andrew continues to receive local and national writing commissions and is currently working on his
first solo piano album, “Twilight Rendezvous”.
Please visit www.AndrewTMiller.org
The Birth of Christ Chorus
Soloists:
Amy Mahoney, soprano;
Maria Valenzuela, mezzo-soprano;
Robert McPherson, tenor;
John B. Cooper, bass/baritone.
Chorus: Sopranos: Rachel Coates, Sandy Fedasch, Brenda Froelich, Sophia Lewis, Sheilagh Romero
Altos: Kirtsen Erdly, Carli Kitsch, Cyra Mangan, Julia Miller, Alicia Rogers Tenors: John Emlen, Zachary
Miller, Mike Mueller, Chad Smithson Basses: Matt Benedict, Gus Blazek, Paul Miller
The Young Disciples Ensemble
Originally formed with 15 eager young adults returning from World Youth Day, Young Disciples of Christ
has become a model for youth in the Eastchester Community of the Bronx. When it was decided to offer a
monthly Teen Mass, YDOC put together an ensemble to minister God's grace through music at each of
those liturgies. Under the musical direction of Rasaan H. Bourke, and accompanied by Rich Berretta, the
Young Disciples Ensemble has performed at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in the annual African American
Heritage Mass as well as countless other local events. Their joy is contagious as these gifted and
delightful young people sing with spirits truly on fire for the Lord!
Trumpet: Terrance Alan Bourke
Percussion, Djembe: Alvaro Schubert Perdomo
Soloist: Rasaan H. Bourke
Ensemble: Lisa Alberty, Mary Bele, Devon Chung, Catherine Dinh Le, Anthony Rahman Espinal, Renee
Gaillard, Kristopher Guzman, James Just , Malaya Lambert, Jonathan Pagan , Stefania Raschella , Kim
Reade, Nilani Singlar, Natalie Villanueva.
Rasaan Hakiem Bourke / Music Director, Young Disciples~ Conductor ~ Vocalist
Starting at age 12, self taught musician, Rasaan Hakiem Bourke, began his musical journey playing the
pipe organ in churches around New York. While attending St. Raymond’s High School in The Bronx he
developed the great gift of classical improvisation, further developd by studies with Dr. Robert Owen, Dr.
Christa Rackish and Dr. James Jordan. Rasaan is now Director of Music at Holy Rosary in the Bronx,
organist, and choirmaster of three Choral Ensembles. Aside from his parish work, Rasaan is Artistic
Director and Conductor of the 30 voice Secaucus Town Chorale based in Secaucus, NJ performing two
concerts per season. Rasaan is also assistant-conductor of the New York City Master Chorale, under the
direction of Dr. Thea Kano, with whom he currently studies. For the past two years he has conducted a
chorus formed for the annual African American Heritage Celebration held in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. In
expanding his talents Rasaan is now composing a three work score for an independent filmmaker in New
York City and is working on an undergraduate degree at Westminster Choir College, Princeton, NJ. He
resides in Jersey City, NJ.
Please visit www.myspace.com/rasaanhakiem
Richard Berretta /Accompanist, Young Disciples ~ Pianist ~ Songwriter
Rich began his public music career when he was 13 by founding a teen choir and youth mass at St.
Francis Xavier in the Bronx, creating a social environment that welcomed youth to celebrate the liturgy. Rich
also plays keyboard with the trio Gizmo, which performs locally in New York for seasonal concerts.
Currently he plays piano at Holy Rosary in the Bronx for the monthly youth Mass, under the direction of
Rasaan Bourke. Rich's debut album, “In the Silence” is an eclectic blend of pop, Christian rock, and
gospel. A graduate of Fordham University, Rich is a brilliant pianist trained at the Febbraio Conservatory in
Mt. Vernon, NY. He holds the highest recorded international score in piano from London’s Trinity School
who awarded him the Licentiate Degree in Piano Performance. He lives in the Bronx with his closely knit
and outstanding family.
Please visit www.RichBerretta.com
Michael Zabrocki / Performing Artist ~ Songwriter
Michael Zabrocki’s first three recordings "Take Him to Heart", "Call to Love" and in Polish - "Offering of
Love", along with performances at hundreds of diverse venues have brought Michael a loyal international
audience. Through his albums and appearances, Michael offers Christians and seekers original
contemporary songs with a message answering the call for evangelization. His newest recording,
“Christmas Peace” is receiving rave reviews and he will debut an original song this afternoon written
especially for today “Merry Christmas, New York”. Michael has been the recipient of many honors including
Polish American World's Citizen of the Year Award, Honorary Alumnus of Michigan's St. Mary Orchard Lake
Seminary, has received Senate Proclamations for his achievements and most recently was awarded a
Citation from Queensborough President, Helen Marshall for his efforts in Catholic music and the Polish
community in NY! He is also a domestic brother in a religious community founded by John Michael Talbot,
The Brothers and Sisters of Charity. Michael resides in Howard Beach, has been married to his childhood
sweetheart, Laura, for the past 27 years and has three beautiful daughters.
Please visit www.ZabrockiMusic.com
Lynn Geyer / Producer
As a singer/songwriter Lynn has recorded three albums. “Music of the Light”, received a Unity Award from
the United Catholic Music and Video Association (UCMVA.com). Her newest CD, “Christmas All Year
Through” earned numerous Unity Award Nominations. She has produced a CD single, “Until We Meet
Again”, for those who perished on 9/11 and their survivors. Two of her recorded covers, Holy is His Name
and A Child Shall Lead have been listed in the Top Ten Songs for Advent on the newly formed
TopCatholicSongs.com. Lynn authored the nationally recognized “Journey to Forgiveness”, an examination
of conscience for teens and young adults, which includes a 17 song CD, and was selected for use during
World Youth Day 2002. She has performed, spoken or presented workshops in countless churches on the
east coast, as well as in conferences throughout the US, Canada, Spain, Italy, Australia, Germany, Brazil,
Barbados and Trinidad. Lynn, with friend Donna Lee, is co-founder of “Concerts for Life” and she DJs
GloryGirls/Women Who Serve, 24/7 internet radio.She’s President of CAM, the Catholic Association of
Music, founded by John Michael Talbot to provide guidance/fellowship for Catholic musicians in public
ministry. Through her own ministry, ColorBlindMusic, Lynn and husband, Gene, produce the annual “Merry
Christmas, New York City” as a reminder to keep Christ in Christmas. She is also hoping to produce
“Hallelujah, New York City!” to celebrate the true meaning of Easter.
Please visit www.ColorBlindMusic.com Oh,You're here! :o)










Amy
Mahoney
Maria
Valenzuela
Robert
McPherson
John B.
Cooper
Who's Who in"Merry Christmas, New York City!"
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Repertoire "Merry Christmas, New York City!"
Act I
Merry Christmas, New York Michael Zabrocki Come, O Lord
It’s in Everyone of Us Michael Zabrocki and Young Disciples Ensemble
Soon and Very Soon Young Disciples Ensemble
Do You Hear What I Hear? Kara Klein O Come All Ye Faithful
Mary’s Canticle Andrew T. Miller and the Birth of Christ Chorus
Bring Him Home Mark Forrest Scorn Not His Simplicity Danny Boy The Impossible Dream
INTERMISSION
Act II
Christmas Song Raymond Arroyo
The Birth of Christ Andrew T. Miller and the Birth of Christ Chorus
Noel Christmas Eve, 1913 Michael Zabrocki Polish/English Medley
Go Tell it on the Mountain Young Disciples Ensemble Night of Silence/Silent Night Young Disciples with Kara Klein Silent Night Kara Klein with Young Disciples
Ave Maria Kara Klein, Accompanied by Rich Berretta
Emmanuel Mark Forrest Joseph’s Song O Holy Night Mark Forrest, Accompanied by Rich Berretta Joy to the World Company
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