Conductor and pianist Jonathan Bley is excited to be conducting the Long Island Symphonic Choral Association beginning in the choir’s 2025-2026 concert season. Mr. Bley is an accomplished conductor and pianist, and is currently the director of choirs at Brentwood High School where he has served as an educator for twelve years. As a pianist, Mr. Bley has continued to perform solo and chamber music concerts in the New York metropolitan area. He has been the pianist for All-County Choirs in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties in addition to accompanying countless All-State auditions. As a conductor, Mr. Bley spent several years directing the San Francisco Jewish Folk Chorus, which recently celebrated their 99th year. In addition to his piano and conducting studies, Mr. Bley studied voice privately with Ralph Wade, and sang with the Queens College Vocal Ensemble directed by James John. Mr. Bley holds a B.A. in Music and an M.A. in Piano Performance from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, where he studied with Morey Ritt and privately with Seymour Bernstein.
Executive Board: Laura Matturro, President, Stephanie Messana, Vice-President, David Winchell, Treasurer, Mona Shupp, Recording Secretary, Luci Betti-Nash, Corresponding Secretary
Members-at-large: Joseph Dyro, Joann Elefterion, Rich Foley, Valerie Godfrey, Maurice Kemp, Ron Pace, Sue Pace, and Monica Winchell
We have a diverse membership of approximately seventy adults, which is open to anyone who qualifies musically. We work hard and seriously on the music, but we also enjoy our rehearsals and one another!
Member Responsibilities
Since LISCA is a not-for-profit organization, we rely on members for help with the following activities:
Concert ticket sales (much of LISCA’s revenue comes from this effort.)
Music
Each singer purchases his or her own music, which is available at rehearsal.
Dues
Currently $100 per year, payable by October 1st. No qualified person will be refused membership because of inability to pay dues. A brief, confidential conversation with LISCA’s president will take care of any special needs.
Concert Attire
Women: Ankle-length black skirt and long-sleeved black top with jewel neckline, or black choral gown. Black shoes and stockings, pearls or pearl-like necklace.
Men: Tuxedo, white shirt, black shoes, bow tie, and cummerbund. Occasionally we will wear more casual all-black attire.
All: Black music folder.
Relax! We want you - or we wouldn’t be holding auditions. You will be asked to sight-read a passage from standard choral literature and repeat some tonal patterns to determine your sight-reading ability, the quality and range of your voice, and your ability to follow the conductor. The auditioners are sympathetic and understand you may be nervous. Don’t worry if you make mistakes. If you do join us, and sit out a season or more, you'll have a modified audition on your return.
LISCA rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:30 at Three Village Church in Setauket. Very occasionally we have extra Saturday rehearsals, or extended rehearsals to 10 pm if there is a need. Consistent attendance is very important. Any member who has missed more than three rehearsals during a season, in preparation for a concert, will need to speak to the Music Director. Our rehearsals are devoted to both learning and interpretation. All works are sung in the original languages; you will be coached in the languages at rehearsal. We occasionally have optional sectional rehearsals for note-learning, during which members may specify the passages for which they need help.
