Our Group

Now celebrating its 31st year of passion, excellence, and imagination, the New Jersey Choral Society is one of the most prestigious choral groups in the state, well known for presenting outstanding and unique programs. Since its founding in 1980, NJCS has expanded from a fledgling group of about 20 choristers to an ensemble of nearly 100 auditioned singers from around the tri-state area. Founded by John Holly and developed by Lenora Thom, the New Jersey Choral Society now performs under the baton of dynamic conductor Eric Dale Knapp, accompanied by Linda Sweetman-Waters.

The New Jersey Choral Society’s repertoire is among the most diverse in the area, each season providing exciting musical opportunities and experiences for both singer and audience member. The NJCS annual program consists of a holiday concert in December, a concert of popular music, such as Broadway, American standards and jazz, in February or March, and a late spring concert of major choral masterpieces and classical selections. NJCS enjoys the privilege of sharing the stage with many exceptional performers, often collaborating with other choral groups, soloists, instrumentalists, and dancers who create a unique concert experience with each performance. Recently, an initiative by Mr. Knapp to feature new music has resulted in the presentation of world premieres of works by Joakim Seidevall, Terre Johnson, and Ed Lojeski.

The 2011-2012 season features the inaugural performance of the NJCS Camerata, a select chamber chorus directed by Maestro Knapp. The choir's outreach group, the NJCS Chanteurs, perform at community and non-profit events. Every few years the NJCS season is supplemented by a Cabaret, a fun-filled evening of popular songs performed by talented NJCS members. Throughout each concert season, the New Jersey Choral Society moves seamlessly from classical to Pops and back again, with the passion, excellence, and imagination that has become our brand. At the core of NJCS, however, are the singers themselves, who work together with a degree of joy and friendship that is evident in every performance.

Ever expanding its horizons outside the Bergen County area, the New Jersey Choral Society has performed at the White House and made several Carnegie Hall appearances. The choir enjoyed a solo performance tour of the Czech Republic and Germany in 2005, and NJCS singers have performed with Mr. Knapp at festivals in Sydney, Vienna, Beijing and Shanghai. In 2012, members of the group will travel to London, England for The Fire Within, a festival in celebration of the 2012 Olympic Games.

The New Jersey Choral Society is committed to providing exceptional choral music for the local community and beyond, and continues to dazzle audiences with its passion, excellence, and imagination….Don’t miss a beat!   

The New Jersey Choral Society
P.O. Box 367
Ridgewood, NJ 
07451-0367

201.379.7719
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www.NJCS.org

NJCS is a founding member of the New Jersey Choral Consortium.

Top photo by Tom Hart.