Ridgewood NJ, The Queensboro Symphony Orchestra will perform works by Beethoven, Brahms and Elgar at West Side Presbyterian Church on Sunday, November 5 at 3 pm as part of the West Side Concert Series. Free admission, parking and childcare. A free-will offering will be received.
The performance, under the direction of Conductor Dong Hyun Kim, will include: Ludwig van Beethoven’s Triple Concerto in C Major, Op. 56; Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 in C Minor; and Edward Elgar’s Nimrod from Enigma Variations, which will be dedicated to Jina Choi, the Queensboro Symphony Orchestra’s concert mistress, who passed away in July.
Soloists: Jee Sun Lee, violin (pictured); SinHwa Lee, cello; and Sohyun Ahn, piano.
Founded in 2015 in Flushing by Maestro Kim, the Queensboro Symphony Orchestra is rapidly emerging as one of the most exciting ensembles in New York’s classical music scene.
For more information, please visit westsideconcerts.org.
Sunday, November 5 at 3 PM – 5 PM
West Side Presbyterian Church Ridgewood, NJ
6 S Monroe St, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450
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.
Ridgewood NJ, The Ramapo Chorale will present “In Flanders Field,” a concert celebrating the World War I armistice, at West Side Presbyterian Church on Sunday, April 30, at 3:00 pm as part of the West Side Concert Series. Tickets are not required, but early arrival is suggested. A free-will offering will be received.
Featured: Lisa Lutter, director; Jonathan Lakeland, pianist; and special guest, Ramapo College Concert Band, directed by Chris Wilhjelm.
The Ramapo Chorale tours annually and has performed in Costa Rica, Estonia, Moscow, the Philippines, Prague, St. Petersburg, Vienna, Guam and, most recently, Havanna, with the Coro Nacional de Cuba.
West Side Presbyterian Church Ridgewood, NJ 6 S Monroe St, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450
Ridgewood NJ, On Wednesday, March 29, the Ridgewood High School Bands will perform their annual Spring Concert. The concert, which will be held at West Side Presbyterian Church, begins at 7:30 PM and admission is free. This concert will feature the school’s three curricular bands – the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Wind Ensemble – and will feature a varied, exciting program.
The Symphonic Band, under the direction of John Luckenbill and Jeffrey Haas, will begin the concert with William Owens’ celebratory fanfare Festival Proclamation. The beautiful Highbridge Excursions by Mark Williams, follows in the program with a nod to the Scottish folksong style, and Karl L. King’s famous American march Gallant Marines closes their portion of the program. The RHS Concert Band, also led by Luckenbill and Haas, will continue the program by opening with the up tempo overture River Valley Celebration, by David Gorham. Goddess of Fire, Steven Reineke’s epic programmatic work depicting the legend of Pele is next in the program, followed by John Philip Sousa’s popular march, The Fairest of the Fair.
Finally, under the baton of Jeffrey Haas, the RHS Wind Ensemble will perform the exciting Exultation, a fast-paced opener with rhythms borrowed from Latin dance genres, Life Dances, an overture celebrating the various stages of a person’s life, and Alfred Reed’s masterpiece Russian Christmas Music, a piece written for and originally performed at a concert held in 1944 as a means of easing Russian-American tensions during World War II.
The Ridgewood High School Band Program is Bergen County’s largest, comprised of more than 230 students who participate in no fewer than 15 varied musical ensembles. The curricular bands, marching band, jazz ensembles, chamber ensembles, winter color guard and twirlers have been acclaimed locally, regionally, and nationally for superior performance. Individually, members of the Ridgewood High School Bands are chosen annually to perform in honor ensembles at the county, regional, state, and national levels.
Ridgewood NJ, There’s no need to travel to New York City to enjoy a performance of George F. Handel’s Messiah Parts II and III, a classical music high point of the Easter season. You can simply travel to West Side Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood, where the Oratorio Choir and Orchestra (directed by Deborah Holden-Holloway) will present the Messiah on Sunday, April 9 at 3:00 p.m.
Part II focuses on the death and resurrection of Jesus, ending with the glorious “Hallelujah Chorus.” Part III features some of the most uplifting and triumphant music of the Messiah, including “I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” “The Trumpet Shall Sound” and the culimating chorus, “Worthy is the Lamb.”
Featured performers: Kristine DiMauro-Gonzalez, soprano, of West Milford; Apryl Beddingfield-Helder, mezzo-soprano, of Fair Lawn; Kevin Hanse, tenor, of Fair Lawn; Robert Preuss, tenor, formerly of Glen Rock; and David Langan, bass-baritone, of Ridgewood.
Tickets are not required, but early arrival is suggested. A free-will offering will be received.
Sunday, April 9 at 3 PM – 4:30 PM
West Side Presbyterian Church Ridgewood, NJ
6 S Monroe St, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450
West Point Army Band Sunday, January 29, 2017 3:00PM
January 9,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The West Point Concert Band will perform its annual Marches Concert at West Side on January 29 at 3 pm as part of the West Side Concert Series. Admission and parking are free; donations are welcome. For more information, please visit westsideconcerts.org.
The West Point Band, the U.S. Army’s oldest active band and the oldest unit at the United States Military Academy, traces its roots to the Revolutionary War. At that time, fifers and drummers were stationed with companies of minutemen on Constitution Island, across the river from West Point. In 1778, General Samuel Holden Parsons’ 1st Connecticut Brigade crossed the Hudson River and established West Point as a permanent military post. After the American Revolution, Congress disbanded most of the Continental Army, but “the 55 men at West Point,” members of the 2nd Continental Artillery, remained. Among their ranks stood at least one drummer and one fifer, who alone maintained the tradition of military music at West Point.
With the establishment of the United States Military Academy in 1802 came an increased demand for military music. As the academy grew, it needed fifers, drummers and buglers to drill the new cadets and provide an audible order to their duty day. In 1817 the ensemble was named the “West Point Band,” and by this time was performing on a full range of instruments, which included two bassoons, two Royal Kent bugles, a tenor bugle, ten clarinets, three French horns, a serpent (an early bass horn), cymbals, a bass drum, eight flutes, and two trumpets.
Today’s band consists of four components: the Concert Band, the Jazz Knights, the Hellcats and Support Staff. They combine to form the Marching Band. The organization fulfills all of the official musical requirements of the Academy, including military and patriotic ceremonies, public concerts, sporting events and radio and television broadcasts, as well as social activities for the Corps of Cadets and the West Point community.
As the senior premier musical representative of the United States Army, the band has appeared at many historical events. It performed at the dedication of the Erie Canal; at the Chicago and New York World’s Fairs; and for the funerals of Ulysses S. Grant and Franklin D. Roosevelt as well as the inaugurations of numerous presidents. Additionally, the West Point Band has collaborated with some of the finest musical ensembles in the country, including the New York Philharmonic and the Boston Pops. Members of the West Point Band have also been showcased in Carnegie Hall and featured on The Today Show, 60 Minutes, Dateline NBC as well as on documentaries occurring on The History and Discovery Channels.
Comprised of graduates from America’s finest music schools, the musicians of the West Point Band continue to present provocative performances to audiences nationwide while providing the Corps of Cadets with a piece of living history.
West Side Presbyterian Church
6 S Monroe St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Phone: (201) 652-1966
Location: West Side Presbyterian Church, 6 South Monroe Street, Ridgewood NJ 07450
NEW JERSEY CHORAL SOCIETY
NJCS Festival Youth Chorus, Noelle Dachis, director
Brass and Percussion Ensemble
Linda Sweetman-Waters, organ
Eric Dale Knapp, conductor
Begin your holiday celebrations with joyous music of the season, featuring…
Keep Your Lamps – Andre Thomas
Magnificat – Claudio Monteverdi
O Nata Lux – Morten Lauridsen
Nativity Carol – John Rutter
O Come All Ye Faithful – arr. Sir David Willcocks
I Was Glad – Hubert Parry
including our popular audience sing-along!
photo by Noah Dachis
Advance tickets: $25/ $22 senior & student/ $12 children under 12
10% discount for groups of 10 or more (Add $5 at the door)
Saturday, December 3, 2016 at 8pm
Church of the Immaculate Conception
Montclair, NJ Sunday, December 4, 2016 at 3pm
Church of the Immaculate Conception
Montclair, NJ
Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at 7:30pm
West Side Presbyterian Church
Ridgewood, NJ
*** SUBSCRIPTIONS & TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE ****
November 18,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra will perform the first concert of its 2016-2017 season at 8:00 P.M., on Friday, November 18, 2016, at the West Side Presbyterian Church. The Church is located at 6 South Monroe Street, in Ridgewood.
The Orchestra is under the leadership of Artistic Director and Conductor Diane Wittry. The theme of the performance is Russian Favorites and includes Rimsky-Korsakov’s Russian Eastern Overture, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony Number 5 . Also on the program is Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto that will be performed by acclaimed violinist Christine Kwak. “Violinist Christine Kwak had already made her debut at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, and Alice Tully Hall by the age of 11. At that tender age, she recorded the complete 24 Caprices by Paganini on a half-size violin, about which Dorothy DeLay has commented, “…one of the most astonishing accomplishments and truly remarkable; one of the best caprices I’ve ever heard.
“Christine has been on the front pages of the New York Times, Daily News, Newsday, and the Village Voice among many others. Her teacher, the late Dorothy DeLay, renowned for producing many of the world’s finest soloists, said Christine is “an extraordinary talent who will become one of the best of her generation”.
Born in New York City, of a musical family, she began piano studies at the age of 3, and violin at the age of 4. She was first discovered on CNN’s “About Child Prodigies” at age 5, playing piano and violin as well as several of her own piano compositions. Christine first came to public spotlight at the age of six, when she performed the Kabalevsky violin concerto with The Queens Chamber Symphony. She subsequently performed the concerti of Vivaldi, Bach, and Mozart.”
Advanced ticket prices are $25, $20 for senior and $10 for students. At the door prices are $28,$23, and $13, respectively. Regular subscriptions for the season are $65, $55 for seniors and $30 for students. SEE: www.ridgewoodsymphony.org
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.
photo courtesy of Boyd Lovings Facebook
July3,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood Nj, Ridgewood firefighters assisted a representative from Tyco Animal Control Services in freeing a baby deer that became trapped in a fence on the grounds of the West Side Presbyterian Church, 6 South Monroe Street, Ridgewood on Saturday afternoon, 07/02. The deer was uninjured and after being freed and examined by rescuers, ran away to rejoin its mother.
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Choral — Women in Song and Service — will hold its 88th annual Spring Concert on Thursday, April 21 at 8 p.m. at West Side Presbyterian Church (6 South Monroe Street, Ridgewood ). Under the direction of Marjorie Vandervoort, with Susan LaFever at the piano, the Choral will perform Rachmaninoff, Opus 15, Six Songs for Women’s Voices; music by American composers/American poets; and the songs of Richard Rodgers.
Saxophonist Marina Sakellakis of Paramus, a senior at Bergen County Academies, will perform at the concert as the Choral’s 2016 winner of the Florence Reinauer Memorial Music Award.
A reception with light refreshments will follow the music. Join us as we welcome Spring with this beautiful blend of choral pieces. Tickets are $15 advance/ $20 at the door. Call 201-327-8184 or visit www.ridgewoodchoral.org for more information.
DECEMBER 11, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Editor’s Note – The third event of Parlance Chamber Concerts’ ninth season will take place this coming Sunday afternoon, Dec. 13, at 3 p.m. at West Side Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood. Here concert founder Michael Parloff gives us some background to the musicians and the program.
The concert will feature three spectacular virtuosi, violinist Kristin Lee, pianist Gilles Vonsattel (both winners of the coveted Avery Fisher Career Grant) and the celebrated cellist Paul Watkins of the Emerson String Quartet.
In honor of Beethoven’s 245th birthday next Wednesday, Sunday afternoon’s concert will be devoted to three highlights of his chamber repertoire: the heroic A-major violin sonata (“Kreutzer”), the intimate cello sonata in C, and the ever-popular D-major piano trio (“The Ghost”).
Parlance Chamber Concerts
All Beethoven Program – Sunday, December 13 at 3pm – West Side Presbyterian Church, 6 S. Monroe Street, Ridgewood Free parking and Childcare Tickets at the Door – Adults $40; Seniors $30; Young Adults $20; Students $10
NOVEMBER 13, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY AIMEE LA FOUNTAIN
CORRESPONDENT |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Music lovers will have a unique chance to hear an organist play with a full orchestra later this month.
The Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra will present a performance on Nov. 20 at the West Side Presbyterian Church.
The concert will feature Juilliard student and organist Greg Zelek. The symphony orchestra will perform J.S. Bach’s “Toccata and fugue in d minor,” Bedrich Smetana’s “The Moldau,” Jean Sibelius’s “Finlandia Op. 26” and Camille Saint-Saens’s “Symphony No. 3.”
The chance to hear an organist play with a full orchestra is a rare occurrence.
“They have a phenomenal organ at the church, so it’s a great opportunity,” said musical director Diane Wittry.
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.
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