Father and son, Robert and James, worked side-by-side with the high school Chamber Choir to perfect their execution for the Winter Concert. Garden City Public Schools’ music program is well known for the talent of its performers, the high level of its teachers, and the scope of experiences provided for students to challenge their abilities and showcase their talents. Such was recently the case when an original piece of music, written by Garden City alum James Ludwig and performed under the direction of his father Robert Ludwig, vocal music teacher at the high school, was included in the high school’s Winter Concert series. Not yet published, “Joys Seven,” stretched the skills of the Chamber Choir with melodic counterpoints and percussive phrases. “It sounds very, very good,” the young composer, singer, and guitarist told the choir as he worked alongside his father to hone their performance during a rehearsal at the high school.

James Ludwig met with Garden City High School Chamber Choir to hone their performance of his original work, “Joys Seven.” Chamber Choir director and vocal music teacher Robert has been a valued member of Garden City High School’s Music Department for 13 years. Under his direction, the high school vocal music program has thrived. The father-son-choir connectivity made possible through the collaboration seemed appreciated by all.

The Ludwigs’ love of music and their appreciation of the opportunities for musical expression offered in Garden City run deep. “When James was seven-years-old, he joined the boys’ choir I conducted at the Cathedral,” Robert reminisced. “I remember so well how we mutually decided he should call me ‘Mr. Ludwig’ at rehearsals, and as soon as we got into the car, he could call me ‘Dad.’ It is, of course, an indescribably wonderful feeling to see him now achieving such notable and well-deserved successes as a composer and conductor. I’m especially struck by his creative and unique approaches to his composition, generating music of great sophistication and complexity, while keeping vocal parts completely ‘singable.’ I was privileged, several weeks ago, to accompany his school chorus in a concert - a remarkable experience in a reversal of roles, since I was now following him as conductor, whereas he had performed literally thousands of pieces in previous years following me as conductor. The confusion about having two ‘Mr. Ludwigs’ in the room was solved when he introduced me to his students as ‘Ultra Ludwig!’”

The full Chamber Choir, under the direction of Robert Ludwig, rehearsed the original work of son James Ludwig, Garden City High School Class of 1998. Son James was born in Kentucky, and grew up in Garden City, graduating from the high school in 1998. Eclectic experiences with music throughout his life have contributed to his unique voice as a composer. He studied jazz guitar and composition at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass., and currently teaches choral and general music at Selden Middle School in Suffolk County. James still sings with the Choir of Men and Boys at the Cathedral of the Incarnation. His compositions for voice have been performed by choirs in the United States and abroad. “This setting of the traditional English carol, ‘Joys Seven,’” James commented, “was performed in 2009 by the Grammy Award-winning Kansas City Chorale and Phoenix Chorale under the direction of Charles Bruffy.

Father Robert Ludwig and his talented students recently traveled locally to enrich the Garden City community with holiday performances at the Village tree lighting, the Garden City Hotel tree lighting, and the Mineola/Garden City holiday luncheon.

On Friday, February 11th, 7 p.m., Mr. Ludwig’s high school Chorale singers will be showcasing their talents by kicking off the Islanders vs. the Penguins hockey game in front of thousands of fans at Nassau Coliseum with their rendition of the National Anthem.

Thank you, Robert and James Ludwig, for sharing your love of music with Garden City’s students and community members alike!