Dedicated to the study and performance of classical and contemporary choral music
John Wilson / Director • Carol Walker / Accompanist
About Choral Art Society of New Jersey
Choral Art Society of New Jersey is a group of avocational singers dedicated to the study and performance of great choral masterpieces, performing works spanning many centuries and styles. Most of the major oratorios, cantatas, and masses of the master composers have been presented during its first 60 years. The group’s diverse repertoire includes Mozart's Requiem, Beethoven's Ode to Joy, John Rutter's Requiem and Mass of the Children, and most recently, Bob Chilcott's Circlesong.
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The chorus is a nonprofit, dues-paying organization. Rehearsals are held on Tuesdays at 7:30-10 pm from September to May in the Chapel of The Presbyterian Church in Westfield. Prospective singers are welcome to join us as we pursue our mission of learning and presenting the finest choral music. ​
Our Rehearsal Space
We meet in the Chapel of the Presbyterian Church in Westfield, located at 140 Mountain Avenue.
History
Originally known as The Suburban Symphony Chorus, CAS of NJ began in 1962 under the direction of Peter Sozio. The following year, Evelyn Bleeke became director, serving the organization in that role for a remarkable 32 years until her retirement in 1995. It was early in her tenure that the chorus formed as an independent organization under its present name.
Evelyn Bleeke was followed by Thomas Booth, Kathleen Healy-Wedsworth, and then James S. Little. In 2012, as the group entered its second half-century of singing, Martin Sędek was appointed music director. Most recently, CAS of NJ was thrilled to welcome Dr. John Wilson as its new music director, starting in June 2024.
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Since its formation in the 1960s, the group has earned the accolades of the public and critics alike. It continues to grow in membership, fostering an intergenerational creative community for musicians of all backgrounds.
Director
Dr. John Wilson is the director of choral activities in the School of Fine & Performing Arts at SUNY New Paltz. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Wilson served as the choral director at Bridgewater-Raritan High School (BRHS) for 17 years.
His choirs developed a reputation for excellence. The BRHS Symphonic Choir was notably featured as a performing choir at the 2020 ACDA Eastern Division Conference in Rochester, NY. Dr. Wilson’s ensembles have performed at major venues in the New York/New Jersey area under the direction of Ryan Brandau, James Jordan, Amanda Quist, Alan Raines, Lee Nelson, and Andrew Megill.
From 2014 to 2019, he served as a faculty member at the Summer High School Vocal Institute at Westminster Choir College, where he conducted
the Men’s Ensemble and taught a primer in conducting. John also served as an associate director at the Princeton Girlchoir organization from 2015 to 2018, where he conducted the Cantores ensemble, featured in a recording of Steven Sametz’s A Child’s Requiem in 2015, led by the composer.
Several all-state choirs have performed under Dr. Wilson’s direction. He conducted the New Jersey All-State Junior High SATB chorus in 2024, the Georgia All-State Middle Treble chorus in 2023, the Virginia All-State Middle School Treble chorus in 2018, as well as the Central Jersey Music Educators Association’s Region Treble Chorus in 2019.
Dr. Wilson taught undergraduate courses in conducting and music education at Rutgers University, where he earned his masters and doctoral degrees in choral conducting under the guidance of Dr. Patrick Gardner. During the 2020-2021 academic year, Dr. Wilson had the privilege of leading the Rutgers University Choir. He is the most recent past-president of the New Jersey chapter of the American Choral Directors Association and coordinated its summer conference
in 2023.
Accompanist
Carol Walker enjoyed a busy career as a high school choral teacher for 32 years before retiring in 2008. During her teaching career, she was the accompanist and conductor of several New Jersey county, regional, and all-state choruses. Carol brought high school choral groups to perform at Radio City Music Hall as well as in venues around Europe. In 2003 she received the Passaic County Governor’s Award as Teacher of the Year.
While teaching, Carol was also an active participant in state organizations. She was the choral division chairperson for the North Jersey School Music Association for 10 years, and she served on the NJ All-State Choral Procedures Executive Board for three years.
Since her retirement as a public school teacher, Carol has continued her active association with various high schools and related organizations in
northern New Jersey, serving as accompanist, music director, and choral director. She has also been in demand as music director for dozens of amateur and professional theater groups, including summer stock and dinner theaters in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut. In 2007, she joined the staff of the NJ-based Masterwork Chorus, where she has served as pianist and was more recently appointed as assistant director. For many years she has served as choir director and organist for churches in New Jersey and New York.
Carol graduated summa cum laude from Montclair State with a degree in music education, majoring in piano, voice, and harp. In the past 25 years, Carol has branched out from her classical training, pursuing folk music interests with her Appalachian mountain dulcimer and Celtic harp. To date, she has written and published 12 dulcimer instructional books, recorded five CDs, and produced one DVD with Homespun Music.
As a dulcimer teacher and performer, Carol is in demand at annual music festivals across the United States. She is a three-time recipient of the Top Five Finalists Award at the National Mountain Dulcimer Championship. Carol is founder and director of the New York Dulcimer Orchestra, based in the lower Hudson Valley.
For more about Carol, her published works, and recordings, please visit her website: Music Lady Carol website.
Conducting Intern
Passion, dedication, and joy are the best ways to describe Josh Lisner and his musical journey. Lisner happily holds the title of director of choirs and vocal music at Edison High School. Under his leadership, students have performed challenging and diverse repertoire, have earned superior and best-in-class ratings, and have been acknowledged at internationally recognized venues such as David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center. Lisner graduated summa cum laude from Westminster Choir College, earning a degree in music education, and singing in Westminster Choir. He is a member of the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir under the direction of Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Joe Miller.
For more information or to view current projects, please visit Joshlisner.com.
