Last year, Chimene Petitt of Hudson View Entertainment in Union City received two phone calls that she’ll remember for a lifetime. The first was a last-minute call from National Park Association, informing her that she and her caroling group, the Hudson View Carolers, were to perform for the National Christmas Tree Lighting in Washington D.C. The second was a long-anticipated call from social services, informing her that her birth mother had been found.
And it’s all been up from there. This weekend Petitt’s caroling group will again perform in D.C., selected among hundreds of entries due to their musical prowess and consistent community service. Their theme this year, “We are the World,” was inspired by her newly learned heritage.
“It’s wonderful to have acknowledgement.” – Chimene Petitt
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‘We are the World’
When Petitt received the call about her mother almost immediately after the National Christmas Tree Lighting last year, the timing could not have been more hectic, with Petitt planning a trip to Beijing for her jazz group. But when she asked the social worker to delay the introduction, she learned that her mother’s tour was leaving for Greece within the week. Her mother, she learned, is also a singer.
This summer, she met her brothers for the first time.
According to Petitt, meeting her family was the “seed” that inspired her to pursue an ancestry theme for this year’s caroling performances.
“I found out who I was. And I’m German. So I wanted a German outfit,” Petitt said.
In that vein, Petitt, director of the Hudson View Carolers, put together a group representative of ethnic and musical diversity – the “We are the World” ensemble.
The members of the group, all professional musicians, collectively represent a variety of cultures –German, Scottish, Irish, Welsh, American Indian, African, and Asian — not only through their personal backgrounds, but also their diverse world instrumentation.
Their performances are nuanced by adding Native American drum and flute, the Celtic Frame Drum, the African Djembe, and Latin Percussion.
Each member also dons costumes representative of their culture.
Petitt credits retired priest Dennis Winslow for supplying an authentic embroidered African robe and headdress for ensemble member Cynthia Huffman. Additional costumes were provided by the costumer for the New Jersey Ballet and Union City resident Myra Chao Ling Tang, who will also serve as the group’s escort in D.C. dressed in full Chinese costume.
And for extra measure, Huffman will be performing a Michael Jackson tribute featuring the charity song, “We are the World,” that he co-wrote.
D.C., here we come
This weekend, the Hudson View Carolers will be performing at the pre-show for the National Christmas Tree at the White House Ellipse in Washington D.C.
Situated in front of the main stage, Petitt sees their placement as an opportunity to “spread Christmas spirit while people are taking their seats.”
They will be performing traditional to contemporary American carols, world music percussion, and also the David Bowie version of “Little Drummer Boy.”
“I am thrilled that we could add my extensive world music drumming experience… as the focal point this year,” Co-producer Malcolm Smith said.
Dean Curtis of Brooklyn will also be performing along with Petitt, Smith, and Huffman.
“I love our group members. It’s a gift to be surrounded by so many talented professionals,” Petitt said.
Community support
Last weekend, the Hudson View Carolers performed at the Jersey City Tree Lighting to support the Historic Jersey City & Harsimus Cemetery, as a show of appreciation to the cemetery’s curator, Eileen Markenstein, who has given them a venue to perform in their community service.
“Everything we’ve done collaboratively has been about love,” Markenstein said.
Hudson View Entertainment’s consistent community service record was a big determining factor that allowed the ensemble to represent NJ in Washington D.C, according to Petitt.
They sponsor many benefits and events throughout the state and have donated years of performances to the Jersey City & Harsimus Veterens Cemetery, the Friends of Wayne Animals, and The Jersey City Embankment Preservation, among others.
Petitt said she would like to dedicate their performance in D.C. this weekend to Markenstein.
Recently, Petitt also received a congratulations phone call from Mayor Brian Stack and the support of Commissioner Lucio Fernandez, who asked her to write a letter to the city requesting sponsorship.
“It’s wonderful to have acknowledgement. So often you don’t have it, but here it’s been very good,” she said.
And, of course, the best support of all, she said, comes from her newfound family.
“My brothers said we’re going to have German beers together to celebrate [after I get back from D.C.],” she said.
Hudson View Entertainers is responsible for all funding for their D.C. trip. Supporters can send donations to Hudson View Entertainment, Attention: Chimene Petitt or “GO D.C.” For more information about the Hudson View Carolers, please visit hudsonviewentertainment.com or call their office at (201) 348-4562.
Deanna Cullen can be reached at dcullen@hudsonreporter.com.