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The New Jersey Choral Society presents “Fosse,” a Pops Spectacular

new jersey choral society
Fosse photo by Noah Dachis
February 23,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Washington Twp NJ,  Prepare to be “razzle-dazzled” as the New Jersey Choral Society presents “Fosse: the Theater, the Music, the Legend.” The NJCS Pops Spectacular will focus on the musicals of the multi-award- winning choreographer and director Bob Fosse. Performances will be held on Saturday, March 11 at 8:00 pm and on Sunday, March 12 at 3:00 pm at the
Immaculate Heart Academy, 500 Van Emburgh Ave., Washington Township.

The rousing program, under the direction of Eric Dale Knapp, features show-stopping songs from such Broadway musicals as “Chicago,” “Pippin” and “Sweet Charity.” Some of the song highlights include “All That Jazz,” “Razzle Dazzle” and “Cell Block Tango” from “Chicago;”“Magic to Do,” “Corner of the Sky,” “Morning Glow” and “No Time At All” from “Pippin” and“Big Spender,” “The Rhythm of Life,” “I’m a Brass Band” and “If My Friends Could See Me

Now” from “Sweet Charity.” “Steam Heat” from “Pajama Game” and “Sing, Sing, Sing” by Louis Prima, based on Benny Goodman’s original hit, will also be featured. Linda Sweetman-Waters will accompany NJCS on the piano along with the Pops SpectacularBand. The NJCS Festival Youth Chorus, directed by Noelle Dachis, will join NJCS as well as special guests, the Pops Spectacular Dance Troupe. Several talented soloists and vocal ensembles from NJCS will also be featured and Broadway veteran actor and his wife David and Britt Cryer will serve as the hosts.

Advance tickets are $25.00 for adults and $22.00 for students and seniors (add $5.00 at the door).A 10% discount for groups of 10 or more is also available. Come one hour prior to performance time for The Inside Line, a complimentary lecture for all ticket holders that provides an intimate and entertaining preview of the music. For reservations or more information, visit www.NJCS.org or call the New Jersey Choral Society at (201) 379-7719.

Established in 1980, the New Jersey Choral Society is one of the state’s most prestigious choral groups, well-known for presenting outstanding and unique programs. Under the direction of Eric Dale Knapp, NJCS performs three major concerts annually in Bergen and Essex counties. They have performed at Carnegie Hall and the White House and have toured internationally in Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, China, Australia, England, France and next summer in Italy.Immaculate Heart Academy is wheelchair accessible. Funding has been made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

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The New Jersey Choral Society presents “O Fortuna – A Celebration of Hope and Joy”

New Jersey Choral Society_rev (1)
April 28,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  Experience the crashing of cymbals, the power of over 100 voices, and thesonority of two pianos and a percussion ensemble as the New Jersey Choral Society presents “O Fortuna – A Celebration of Hope and Joy” featuring Carl Orff’s epic masterwork “Carmina Burana.” The Connecticut Choral Society and the NJCS Festival Youth Chorus, directed by Noelle Dachis, will join NJCS in this exciting performance, which will be held on Saturday, June4 at 8:00 pm at the West Side Presbyterian Church, 6 South Monroe St., Ridgewood.

The exhilarating program, under the direction of Eric Dale Knapp, focuses on Carl Orff’s scenic cantata “Carmina Burana,” based on 24 medieval poems, which cover a wide range of topics, including the fickleness of fortune and wealth, the ephemeral nature of life, the joy of the return of spring, and the wonders and joy of food, drink and physical love. This eclectic collection was written in Latin, Middle High German and French and included fragments of musical notation suggesting it was used as a songbook in 11 th and 12 th centuries.

Messages of goodwill and humanitarian understanding are also represented in the diverse program through such inspirational works as “Lux Aeterna” by Abel Di Marco, “Peace” by Daniel Brewbaker, the profoundly moving “Inscription of Hope” by Z. Randall Stroope, and the musically inventive “Sizzle!” by Nathan Daughtrey.Pianists Linda Sweetman-Waters and Ruth Draper, along with a Percussion Ensemble, will accompany the choruses. Guest soloists Megan Knapp (soprano), Nathan Munson (tenor) and Peter Kendall Clark (baritone) will also be featured. A procession of 90 local Boy and Girl Scout troops as well as a local Color Guard presenting flags of the world will open this spectacular concert.

Advance tickets are $35.00 for adults and $30.00 for students, seniors, and patrons with disabilities. (Add $5.00 at the door). A 10% discount for groups of 10 or more is also available. Come one hour prior to performance time for The Inside Line, a complimentary lecture for all ticket holders that provides an intimate and entertaining preview of the music. For reservations or more information, visit www.NJCS.org or call the New Jersey Choral Society at (201) 379-7719.

The West Side Presbyterian Church is wheelchair accessible. Funding has been made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.