Our last program of the year was our musical celebration of John Jay’s birthday in his hometown of Rye. Once again, the Carriage House was filled to the rafters with song. Exquisitely harmonized voices were amplified by nothing other than the innate acoustics of the 1907 building itself. Not a single microphone was needed.
Adults and children first heard impressive performances by the all women Princeton Tigressions (there to represent Sarah and John Jay’s Livingston relations as well as later Princeton residents of the Jay Estate, Edgar Palmer P ’03 and Walter B. Devereux ’34). The crowd was awed by soul filling renditions of “Moon River” and a jazzy”All I Want for Christmas Is You.” The Yale Spizzwinks (?), America’s oldest underclassman a cappella group, returned for their 5th performance at JHC, charming the old and young with hits like “No Regrets” and “Rhythm of Love”. By special request of a Yale alum Class of 1943 they sang Bright College Years and set many handkerchiefs waving. The Tigressions came back on stage to close the show with a stirring version of the Irish Folk song “Parting Glass.” All stayed to share a glass of holiday cheer at a reception that followed with seasonal treats.
Special thanks to all the performers especially Lily Bou (Princeton ’18) and Donovan Sabog (Yale ’18) for making this happen! Watch the video here: http://www.ryetv.org/12192016-1613