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Who is the LICC?
Who is the LICC?
Long Island Community Chorus represents the evolution of a group of singers that dates back decades. Originally based in Rockville Centre, New York, in 1984, we began as the Rockville Centre Choral Society. Since then, the chorus has grown to include Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties. Our music spans a wide range, from classical to pop, celebrating a rich musical heritage and sense of community.
LICC | 2024-2025
What Do We Sing?
What Do We Sing?
A variety of music, including pop, Broadway, folk, and light classics
When Do We Meet?
When Do We Meet?
Wednesdays 7:30 to 9:30pm
Where Are Rehearsals Held?
Where Are Rehearsals Held?
St. James United Methodist Church
(11 St. James Place, Lynbrook, NY 11563)
Why We Sing
Why We Sing
The mission of Long Island Community Chorus is to inspire a love of choral music throughout Nassau County and surrounding areas, by offering adult singers of all backgrounds a meaningful performance opportunity and by presenting public concerts each May and December.
Video of Our Chorus Coming Soon!
Meet Our Musical Directors
Meet Our Musical Directors
Jean Stevenson, Director
Jean Stevenson, Director
Jean Stevenson joined what was the Rockville Centre Choral Society as an alto in 1991. Under the direction of first Paul La Medica and later Ken Blue, she acted as assistant director and made her leadership debut in 1996.
Jean has been a musician all her life, playing many instruments and singing in public from a very early age. She considers her long apprenticeship in music direction to be a gift from God, and is particularly grateful for the patience of the directors under whose leadership she has performed.
She has attended various intensive music seminars at Westminster Choir College, and as a composer has studied with some of the finest creative minds in publication today. She studies voice with Maria Tegzes.
Jean graduated from Florida Southern College with a B.A. in Speech/Drama, her other great love. She has been performer, writer, director, accompanist and/or composer in many productions. In December 2022, she directed a concert-style performance of her one-act Christmas play, "Awesome Night.”
For nearly 20 years, she has been Director of Music at St. James United Methodist Church in Lynbrook, where she is both organist and choir director. Her past conducting credits include leading the Long Island West District Choir (a group comprised of musicians from many local United Methodist churches) and the St. Ignatius Martyr R.C.C. Chorus and Chorale in Long Beach.
In late 2025, Jean noted two milestones: Approaching her 30th anniversary as director of the former Rockville Centre Choral Society; and also entering a new era leading that same beloved group, recently renamed Long Island Community Chorus.
Robert DiPasquale, Accompanist
Robert DiPasquale, Accompanist
Robert DiPasquale is a pianist and organist from Rockville Centre, New York. He graduated from the State University of New York at Fredonia in 2019, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Performance. His two recitals at Fredonia qualified him to receive the Performance Certificate, which is one of the highest achievements a performance major can receive.
Shortly after graduating, he became Holy Trinity Lutheran Church's music director (2019-2025) while simultaneously building up a substantial clientele of private piano students. He provides one-on-one piano lessons to 40 students a week.
Robert most recently accepted the piano accompanist position for the Long Island Community Chorus, a welcoming community with whom he is extremely enthusiastic about sharing his joy and passion for music.
Our Story
Our Story
Where would a fledgling group of singers go to hone its craft? This one must have been highly motivated, finding schools in Rockville Centre willing to share space, and soon growing to 95 members. Later, rehearsals remained in Rockville Centre, but moved to St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, while concerts were held at Lynbrook’s St. James.
The chorus participated in events around the area: Christmas tree lighting ceremonies; a 9/11 Memorial; interfaith Thanksgiving services; holiday caroling at hospitals; and performing at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City (three times). Another community outreach program began in 1989: modified concerts for local senior housing centers, a few days after each official performance, in May and December. This tradition continues even today.
During the 1980’s and ’90’s, the Rockville Centre Choral Society became a popular local entity, meeting weekly to make music together. By the time our longest serving director, Jean Stevenson, took the helm in 1996, the chorus was a thriving haven of fellowship. Decades later, a former member from that period recalled his rather astonishing experience as follows:
“Joining the RVCCS in September of 1997 was not an easy task, since I was recovering from a serious bout with a brain tumor. My voice, balance, hearing, and throat were all affected, but I was determined to get back to singing. Given the situation, any director would have had some well placed concerns! Nonetheless, Jean invited me to sit in the back, listen, observe, and participate when possible. That act of kindness resulted in a 23-year association with the chorus. Singing rehabilitated my throat and my mind. New friends and music were the road to recovery and happiness.
Unfortunately, relocating to Boston in 2021 required me to leave the group, but not before returning for one more performance. This brought me full circle, as the chorus director had written a play, and needed to fill out the cast. I was glad to be there for her. I remain a supporter and always will!”
—Bob Crescenzo, Tenor
Although half a world away, the chorus responded to Japan's horrific tsunami disaster in February, 2005. Our then co-presidents orchestrated a benefit concert, coordinating several groups of vocal and instrumental musicians, and setting up tables to sell merch and snacks. The result was a well attended evening performance, which directly supported the storm victims through UNICEF. This event alone raised more than $6,000, a sizable sum back then.
In the middle of 2011, St. Mark’s Church underwent a restructuring of its physical site and internal operations. The pastor, who sang with us, retired, and eventually these circumstances led to a search for new rehearsal space. One option was St. James United Methodist Church in Lynbrook, where we had been performing our concerts. After a brief period, we were glad to settle fully into St. James, which has been our home venue ever since.
Like all community choruses, we are subject to both expansion and inevitable reduction. During the period leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, our membership had slipped considerably. Then, all during those many months when everything was shut down, we were held together by our director, whose sheer love of music and determination kept our spirit alive through online Zoom meetings.
In late 2021, still unable to perform in person, we replaced the usual holiday concert with a virtual singalong. Experimental, to be sure! But thoroughly enjoyed by those who tuned in. When that gloomy period finally came to an end, a mere ten of us were official members. As we were planning a public performance in December, 2022, suddenly three more caught the virus, leaving only seven to sing a full concert. And it worked! That same director still guides us today.
As of this writing, we are back up to a well rounded blend of some 40+ voices. New members are welcome during the first few weeks of each semester, in January and September. We look forward to further increasing our numbers, continuing to perform semi-annual concerts for a growing audience, and expanding our community service.
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