History
In 1986, Jennie Feigenbaum, a former opera singer, was giving voice lessons in Highland Park. She wanted to form a community chorus that would include some of her musical acquaintances. Through their efforts, the Highland Park Community Chorus was born.
Its first concert was in the spring of 1987, and three major pieces were performed: Mozart’s Te Deum, Handel’s Coronation Anthem #4 and Vivaldi’s Magnificat. For the next ten years, the Chorus grew and performed one major concert a year in the spring. In 1998, the Chorus added a winter concert to its schedule by performing Handel’s Messiah in collaboration with several area choirs. Since then, the performance of both a spring and a winter concert each year has remained a Chorus tradition.
With approximately 35 members, HPCC supports itself through members’ dues, donor contributions, fundraising activities and arts grants from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. The grants are made possible in part by the Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission. With its funds, it pays a professional director and an accompanist, who have over the years contributed uniquely to the development of the Chorus. If you wish to become a Donor, please click on Become a Sponsor.
HPCC also maintains an extensive
music library, maturing from its early days when it borrowed its music from the town’s high school music department, with whom it shared a director, and rehearsal and performance space. Since 1994, the chorus rehearses and, generally, performs at the Reformed Church of Highland Park.
See a list of major pieces we preformed by clicking on Past Performances.