About us...
The Ridgewood Choral is a friendly women's chorus founded by Frank Kasschau in 1928 to enhance the musical culture of the area and to do service for the community. The Choral is dedicated to performing good vocal literature in a variety of musical styles from classical to contemporary, sacred to secular, baroque to Broadway. At the annual Spring Concert, members dress in pastel gowns, the Choral's trademark concert attire.
A special aspect of the club is its active social service tradition. During the Depression, the women of the Choral raised money for the Ridgewood Foundation Fund through a series of concerts with the Orpheus Club, the men's chorus of Ridgewood. The Frank Kasschau Memorial Shell was funded in large part by ticket sales to the Choral's summer pop concerts, and the group sang at the Shell's opening along with the Orpheus Club. Proceeds from succeeding summer concerts helped to purchase a grand piano for the Benjamin Franklin Junior High School. In recent years, the Choral has brought musical cheer to area nursing home residents and has sponsored music education trips to places like Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Caramoor and Westminster Choir College.
In 1967, the Ridgewood Choral established an instrumental/vocal music scholarship which currently awards a $2000 grant to an area high school senior who will continue his/her musical studies on a college level. Each year the recipient is a featured soloist at the annual concert. Click on the MUSIC AWARDS page to learn more about the competition and past winners.
The Ridgewood Choral is a not-for-profit organization supported through the generosity of associate members, friends, and our concert audience. The Choral is a member of the Ridgewood Arts Council and the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce. The Choral is a Silver Charter Member of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark, NJ.
The Ridgewood Choral sponsors music education trips/tours on a regular basis and all are welcome. The Choral and friends have made trips to Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center and most recently made a return trip to Paper Mill Playhouse to see A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Traditionally, prospective new members are welcomed at a Holiday Musicale Tea held each December. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Choral, click on the MEMBERS page to learn more and to view our calendar for rehearsal and concert dates.
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