Tag: The New Jersey Choral Society

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The New Jersey Choral Society Member Wins the Harmonium Composition Contest for 2019 with her piece entitled “Hymn to Venus.”

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The New Jersey Choral Society is unique among the many choral groups in NJ and we pride ourselves on promoting our younger singers. One such member is Wen Wen Vanderwende, now a first year student at the University of Hartford in Connecticut. This past spring, she won the Harmonium Composition Contest for 2019 with her piece entitled “Hymn to Venus.” She said that this past season’s study of 20th century music with Song of the Angels and Poulenc’s Stabat Mater influenced hercomposition.

Listen to Wen Wen’s award winning composition, performed by the Harmonium Choral Society, here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch…

Congratulations to Wen Wen. We look forward to saying that we knew you when!

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The New Jersey Choral Society presents BEL CANTO 2017 – I LOVE A PIANO

  Kristen Plumley photo by Lisa HancockK

Kristen Plumley photo by Lisa Hancock

September 14,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The New Jersey Choral Society will present its spectacular annual fundraising gala Bel Canto on Sunday, October 8, 2017 at 4:00 pm at the Preakness Hills Country Club, 1050 Ratzer Road, Wayne, NJ. This year’s red carpet event – I Love a Piano – celebrates Artist-in-Residence Linda Sweetman-Waters’ 30th Anniversary Season with NJCS.

Highlighting the festive event will be a cameo appearance by Ridgewood soprano, Kristen Plumley, performing songs from the Great White Way. The evening will include a cocktail hour followed by dinner and wine, musical entertainment, as well as a 50/50 raffle and silent auction. Tickets for this special event are $125 and can be purchased by visiting www.njcs.org or via email at belcanto@njcs.org.

Celebrating 38 years of passion, excellence and imagination, the New Jersey Choral Society is one of the state’s most prestigious choral groups, well-known for presenting memorable, uplifting and unique performances that involve youth and enable affordable access to the arts. NJCS performs three major concerts annually in Bergen and Essex counties and has also performed in Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, China, Australia, England, France and Italy.

Preakness Hills Country Club is wheelchair accessible. Funding for NJCS 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 holds auditions for Festival Youth Chorus

NJCS Festival Youth Chorus Summer 2017

Photo credit: Noah Dachis

June 7,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The New Jersey Choral Society is holding auditions for its youth choruses, treble and SATB, for students in grades 6-12. Auditions will be held Monday, June 19 and August 28 from 4-6 pm at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church, 169 Fairmount Road, Ridgewood, NJ. Treble voices are accepted from grades 6-12 and SATB voices from grades 9-12. Audition requirements, including a memorized solo, and registration details are available on the New Jersey Choral Society website at www.njcs.org under “About”. Interested students, parents and educators can contact Festival Youth Chorus Director, Noelle Dachis, at youthchoir@njcs.org for more information.

This is a unique and exciting opportunity for young choral singers to perform with the New Jersey Choral Society and Maestro Eric Dale Knapp, and a rare experience to include on college applications, especially for students heading into a music study. Students selected for the chorus are expected to attend weekly rehearsals, held at St. Elizabeth’s Church on Monday evenings, and all performances. The Festival Youth Chorus will be singing in at least three performances during the NJCS 2017-2018 season.

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 Italy.
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The New Jersey Choral Society presents Monteverdi “Vespers of 1610”

New Jersey Choral Society Ridgewood small
May 2,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Celebrating the 450th anniversary of the composer’s birth, Eric Dale Knapp conducts the New Jersey Choral Society’s presentation of Monteverdi’s monumental Vespers of 1610 (Vespro della Beata Virgine). The NJCS Festival Youth Chorus, directed by Noelle Dachis, will join NJCS for performances of this rarely-performed masterpiece, the first to be held on Saturday, June 3 at 8:00 pm at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 30 North Fullerton Ave., Montclair, in celebration of the 100th Centenary of the church’s Austin Organ. A second performance will take place Tuesday, June 6 at 7:30 pm at the West Side Presbyterian Church, 6 South Monroe St., Ridgewood.

Orchestra Nexus and organist, Linda Sweetman-Waters, will accompany the chorus. Guest soloists are Kristen Plumley, soprano, Noelle Dachis, soprano, Teresa Buchholz, mezzo-soprano, David Adams, tenor, Scott Joiner, tenor, Wesley Morgan, tenor, Damian Savarino, bass, and Edward Schmiedecke, baritone. The NJCS chamber choir, Camerata, will also be featured.

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 forThe 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, this summer, in Italy.

Church of the Immaculate Conception and West Side Presbyterian Church are wheelchair accessible. Large-print programs and assistive listening devices are available with two weeks’ advance notice. 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 “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 holds auditions for Festival Youth Chorus

The New Jersey Choral Society holds auditions for Festival Youth Chorus
December 13,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The New Jersey Choral Society is holding auditions for two youth choruses, treble and SATB,  for students in grades 6-12. Auditions will be held Monday, January 9 from 4-6 pm at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church, 169 Fairmount Road, Ridgewood, NJ. Treble voices are accepted from grades 6-12 and SATB voices from grades 9-12. Audition requirements, including a memorized solo, and registration details are available on the New Jersey Choral Society website at www.njcs.org under “About”. Interested students, parents and educators can contact Festival Youth Chorus Director, Noelle Dachis, at youthchoir@njcs.org for more information.

This is a unique and exciting opportunity for young choral singers to perform with the New Jersey Choral Society and Maestro Eric Dale Knapp, and a rare experience to include on college applications, especially for students heading into a music study. Students selected for the chorus are expected to attend weekly rehearsals, held at St. Elizabeth’s Church on Monday evenings, and all performances. The Festival Youth Chorus will be singing in the NJCS Masterworks performances of Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610 in June 2017. As well, participating students may have the opportunity to sing in a Festival in Lake Como, Italy, with other youth choral ensembles in July 2017.

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, and France.

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The New Jersey Choral Society presents “Magnificat”

new-jersey-choral-society-ridgewood
October 25,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Revel in the joyous music of the season as the New Jersey Choral Society presents its annual holiday concerts, “Magnificat,” Saturday, December 3 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, December 4 at 3:00 pm in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 30 North Fullerton Ave., Montclair. A third performance will be held on Tuesday, December 6 at 7:30 pm in the West Side Presbyterian Church, 6 South Monroe St., Ridgewood.

The festive program, under the direction of Eric Dale Knapp, opens with three rousing sacred songs, “Keep Your Lamps,” “The First Song of Isaiah,” and “Een So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come,” followed by two traditional carols “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” and “Do You Hear

What I Hear.” An inspiring rendition of Monteverdi’s “Magnificat,” based on the Marian Vespers or evening prayers, concludes the first half.

Other program highlights include “O Nata Lux” by Morten Lauridsen, two English carols, “The First Noel” and “Nativity Carol” by John Rutter, and the uplifting “Hallelujah” from Handel’s “Messiah.” A new work entitled “Hannah Prays,” written and arranged by NJCS member and Ridgewood resident Rita Blacker, will also be performed.

Linda Sweetman-Waters will accompany NJCS on the organ and a Brass and Percussion Ensemble will also be featured. The NJCS Festival Youth Chorus, directed by Noelle Dachis, will join NJCS as well in this exciting performance 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.

The Church of the Immaculate Conception and West Side Presbyterian Church are both 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 holds auditions for Festival Youth Chorus

NJCS Youth Chorus
June 16,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The New Jersey Choral Society is holding auditions for two youth choruses, treble and SATB, for students in grades 6-12. Auditions will be held Monday, June 20, 2016 and August 29, 2016 from 4-6 pm at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church, 169 Fairmount Road, Ridgewood, NJ. Treble voices are accepted from grades 6-12 and SATB voices from grades 9-12. Audition requirements, including a memorized solo, and registration details are available on the New Jersey Choral Society website at www.njcs.org under “Upcoming Events”. Interested students, parents and educators can contact Festival Youth Chorus Director, Noelle Dachis, at youthchoir@njcs.org for more information.

This is a unique and exciting opportunity for young choral singers to perform with the New Jersey Choral Society and Maestro Eric Dale Knapp, and a rare experience to include on college applications, especially for students heading into a music study. Students selected for the chorus are expected to attend weekly rehearsals, held at St. Elizabeth’s Church on Monday evenings, and all performances. The NJCS 2016-2017 concert season features Monteverdi’s Magnificat and Vespers of 1610 as well as the music of director-choreographer, Bob Fosse. The Festival Youth Chorus also has an opportunity to perform with Teatro Grattacielo in New York City in October.

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, and France.

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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.

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The New Jersey Choral Society presents “Crazy for You,” a Gershwin Tribute

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February 4,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

 

RidgewoodNJ, Kick up your heels and swing as the New Jersey Choral Society presents its Pops Spectacular, “Crazy for You,” a tribute to the glamorous and sophisticated music of George and Ira Gershwin. Performances will be Saturday, March 5 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, March 6 at 3:00 pm at Immaculate Heart Academy, 500 Van Emburgh Ave., Washington Township.

This lively program, under the direction of Eric Dale Knapp, opens with the famous classical-jazz piano composition “Rhapsody in Blue” featuring pianist Linda Sweetman-Waters.  Following this crowd-pleaser will be such popular Gershwin hits as “Strike up the Band,” “Fascinating Rhythm,” “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off” and “S’Wonderful.” A medley of songs from Gershwin’s opera Porgy and Bess will also be featured, including “It Ain’t Necessarily So,”  “I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin,” “My Man’s Gone Now” and “Summertime.”

 

The second half of the program will feature songs from the Tony award-winning musical Crazy for You, including “Embraceable You,” “I Got Rhythm,” “They Can’t Take That Away from Me” and“Someone to Watch Over Me.” Concluding the program will be a series of show-stopping Gershwin tunes, such as “Love is Sweeping the Country,” “Of Thee I Sing” and “Swanee.”

 

Pianist Linda Sweetman-Waters and the NJCS Pops Spectacular Band will accompany the chorus. Dancers Jen and Tony Landa will also be featured and Broadway actors David and Britt Cryer will host this Pops Spectacular.

 

Advance tickets are $25.00 for adults and $22.00 for students, seniors, and patrons with disabilities. (Add $5.00 at the door). Discounted group pricing 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, visitwww.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, and France.

 

Immaculate Heart Academy 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.

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The New Jersey Choral Society holds auditions for Festival Youth Chorus

NJCS Festival Youth Choir small

December 11,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood

Ridgewood NJ ,The New Jersey Choral Society is seeking about 50 young singers from grades 6 through 12 for an ensemble to join in their spring 2016 performances of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. Auditions will be held for treble voices (soprano, alto and unchanged tenors) on Monday, January 11, 2016 starting at 4pm at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church, 169 Fairmount Road, Ridgewood, NJ. Registration forms with a $10 application fee must be postmarked by January 4, 2016. Audition requirements include a memorized solo. Other requirements and details are available on the New Jersey Choral Society website at www.njcs.org under “Upcoming Events”. Interested students, parents and educators should contact Festival Youth Chorus Director, Noelle Dachis, at noelle@dachismusic.com for more information.

Students selected for the chorus are expected to attend weekly rehearsals held at St. Elizabeth’s Church on Mondayevenings from January to June, 2016. Performances of Carmina Burana are scheduled for May 21 in Bethel, CT, and June 4 in Ridgewood, NJ. There is an additional potential performance at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall in mid-June. The Festival Youth Chorus will be singing the rarely performed Ragazzi portion of Orff’s beautiful work. This will be a unique and exciting opportunity for young choral singers to perform with the New Jersey Choral Society and Maestro Eric Dale Knapp, and a rare experience to include on college applications, especially for students heading into a music study.

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, and France.

 

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The New Jersey Choral Society presents a “Celebration of Carols”

New Jersey Choral Society_rev
November 8,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  Revel in the joyous music of the season as the New Jersey Choral Society presents “Celebration of Carols” on Saturday, December 5 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, December 6 at 3:00 pm in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 30 North Fullerton Ave., Montclair. A third performance will be held on Tuesday, December 15 at 7:30 pm in the West Side Presbyterian Church, 6 South Monroe St, Ridgewood.

The festive program, under the direction of Eric Dale Knapp, opens with two Silesian folk songs“Beautiful Savior” and “Eatnemen Vuelie” (Song of the Earth) followed by the secular hymns “Fairest Lord Jesus” and “Salvation is Created.” A joyful rendition of “Christmas Flourish” by Randol Alan Bass concludes the first half.

Other program highlights include a tribute to resounding bells featuring “Carol of the Bells,” “Swingle Bells,” “All Bells in Paradise” and “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” Morten Lauridsen’s inspirational “O Magnum Mysterium,” Handel’s vibrant “Hallelujah” from

Judas Maccabeus and Randol Alan Bass’ uplifting “Gloria” conclude the program.

Linda Sweetman-Waters will accompany NJCS on the organ and a Brass and Percussion Ensemble will also be featured.

Advance tickets are $25.00 for adults and $22.00 for students, seniors, and patrons with disabilities. (Add $5.00 at the door). Discounted group pricing 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, visitwww.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, and last summer in France.

The Church of the Immaculate Conception and West Side Presbyterian Church are both 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.