About Us
The group presents two concerts each year, one in the spring and one for the winter holidays, the proceeds of which help to fund music scholarships presented each year to local graduating high school students who are pursuing their education in a music-related area of study. Musical selections cover a wide range including classical, spiritual and popular, contemporary favorites. Additional instrumentalists are often invited to join a performance. Occasionally, special performances are given in cooperation with local community endeavors. Recently, the group provided entertainment for an appreciation event held at the Christian Health Care Center in Wyckoff, NJ. Prior collaborations included a concert for the benefit of the InterReligious Fellowship For The Homeless of Bergen County, NJ. and a special concert in honor of the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Ramapo Valley Baptist Church, Oakland, NJ.
Anyone wishing to arrange for a special performance of the chorus may contact President, Katy Leclercq, at 201-368-3708.
The chorus originated in 1948, when several men from Wyckoff, NJ, got together to hare their interest in singing. Within a year, the group, then known as The Wyckoff Male Chorus, gave its first public performance and continued to gain new members and notoriety. It later became known as The North Jersey Male Chorus, performing at the Shea Auditorium of William Paterson University. For many years, during the 1960s, the chorus was under the direction of Professor Earl L. Weidner and performed before near-capacity audiences. When Dr. Weidner retired, William A. Sempier, whose musical career included singing with the Robert Shaw Chorale and association with performer Perry Como and composer Oscar Hammerstein II, became the chorus director, a tenure that lasted 25 years. In 1994, with its membership decreasing, women were invited to join, and the group, now known as The North Jersey Chorus, came into being and continues to enjoy positive growth and visibility in the community. The North Jersey Chorus is now under the direction Marie Harrington.