History of Voices of Verona and West Essex Inc.

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The group has been known by these names since its inception in 1949:
1949-1957 – Verona Choral Society
1957-1969 – Verona Chorus
1969-1976 – Verona-Cedar Grove Chorus
1976-1985 – Mastersingers
1985-2017 – Verona-Cedar Grove Chorus
2017 – Voices of Verona and West Essex Inc.

The group was founded as the Verona Choral Society in 1949.  We were sponsored by the Recreation Departments of Verona and Cedar Grove, which provided rehearsal and performance space at no charge and provided some funds for the purchase of music.  All other costs, including the salaries of our Director and Accompanist, are paid for out of our own funds.

The most recent manifestation, Voices of Verona and West Essex Inc., is a New Jersey corporation and 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

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Music From Spring 2018 Concert

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Gettin’ In The Mood

Lulabye

I See A Star

Amazing Grace

Halleluja

This Is My Word

Fiddler On The Roof

Arirang

Alleluja (Exultate Jubilate)

He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother

Joy In The Morning

 

We Thank Our Sponsors – Spring 2018

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Platinum: Stephen Sandler DDS, Cirasella’s Fine Jewelry, PositiviTea

Gold: Verona Diner, Cashel Salon, Kids Hair Salon, Frank Anthony Gourmet Italian, Artist Frame Gallery, Caldwell Diner, Hillcrest Farms, Bagelwich, Twin Method Cleaners, Henry’s Fine Foods, Redwood Realty, Aroy-D The Thai Elephant, Susan Cook, Nick’s Salugo Bistro, Miele’s Restaurant, Terry’s Pharmacy, Hospitality Singers

Silver: Roni Hunt, Brookdale Cleaners, JT’s Barber Shop, Rich Powers, Magic Cuts Barber Shop, Verona Shoe Repair, Main Street Cottage, American Cleaners, NY Bagel Cafe II, Green Point Juicery, Bello by Daniel Ross, Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria

Rehearsal Music for Spring 2018

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Joy in the Morning –

Lullabye

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Rehearsals begin 1/23

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Join us at the open house, Tuesday, January 23 at 7pm in the music room of HBW Middle School, 600 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona.  Rehearsal follows.  See other post for our Spring Music Selection.  All singers welcome!

Music Selection for Spring 2018

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The following music was selected for the Spring 2018 concert:

  • Joy in the Morning (#463)
  • Lullabye (#714)
  • He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother (#505)
  • Fiddler on the Roof Medley (#805)
  • This is My Word (#631)
  • Hallelujah (new—no number assigned)
  • Amazing Grace (#618)
  • I See a Star (new – no number assigned)
  • Allelujah – Motet Exultate Jubilate, Mozart (#518)
  • Ahrirang – Korean Folk Song (#542)
  • Getting’ in the Mood (#760)

We will attach YouTube clips when possible.

Also being considered is “When You Believe” from “Prince of Egypt”. If this is not acceptable, another song from our inventory will be performed.

Singing in a Chorus has benefits for body and mind

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Did you know that Choral Singing has benefits for mind and body, including improved immune systems?  Author Daniel Pink discusses the benefits below:

From the transcript of “Face the Nation” interview (12/24/17) with author Daniel Pink

JOHN DICKERSON: How timing works when you’re working with lots of other people as well.

DANIEL PINK: Yeah. Well, there’s some really, really interesting research on how teams synchronize things like choirs, rowing teams, delivery services. And one of the things that is so interesting about our nature is that it seems that coordinating with other people, being in sync and in time with other people is something fundamentally human about that. And– and we have a propensity for it. And one of the things that’s so interesting about that, if you look at, let’s take exercise as an example. Exercise is absolutely good for you, right? It makes you– it boosts your mood, it’s a prophylactic against depression, it reduces– it helps controls your weight, it’s all good. Well, there’s kind of new exercise out there and it’s choral singing of all things. Choral singing has benefits that are just extraordinary at the physiological level and the psychological level. It is useful for cancer patients, it improves your immune response, it boosts your mood, so there’s something about synchronizing with other people that makes us feel good. It also helps– when kids do synchronous activities, they actually afterwards are a little bit more, what social psychologists call pro-social, that is they will– will play with kids who aren’t like them, they’re more likely to cooperate, they’re more likely to help.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/face-the-nation-transcript-december-24-2017/