As this holiday season approaches, the savvy shopper will be even more cognizant of selecting a gift that is not only financially sound, but is  exciting and enduring as well.  A gift of participation in the  arts allows the recipient, of any age, to acquire a new skill or continue to develop an existing talent.  

          The New Jersey Workshop for the Arts can assist the gift giver to make a wise decision regarding that special  holiday purchase, without the usual confusion over appropriate colors, sizes or styles.  The NJWA will issue a gift certificate in any financial amount that can be used for any of its varied programs.

          The NJWA Music Studio offers vocal and instrumental lessons for both children and adults. Youngsters  may also select to enroll in group piano, guitar or vocal lessons.  A 4 or 5 year old child  may enjoy participating in Kids ‘n’ Arts, where children experience art, music and theater crafts. 

           Perhaps the recipient of this gift certificate will have an interest in joining the Westfield Fencing Club, which offers lessons in saber, foil and epee. These classes are designed for both children, ages 10 and older, and for adults. 

          The gift certificate can be used toward tuition for the Westfield Summer Workshop, a program of arts, crafts, communications, dance, drama, music and special interests  for students in  pre-school  to  grade 8. The  WSW program also includes a major musical theater production for aspiring actors  in  grades 6 through 12.

          Another way in which the certificate can be used is toward a purchase at the NJWA Music Store, if the receiver is interested in instruments or other musical inventory.

          Make your holidays a  more meaningful experience, one  that shows your thoughtfulness.  To purchase a gift certificate, phone  908-789-9696, visit  the NJWA studios at 150-152 East Broad Street in Westfield or   log  on to www.njworkshopforthearts.com for information about all NJWA programs. 

 

 

 

The New Jersey Workshop for the Arts Concert Band continues its Sunday Series on November 22 at 2:00 pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Church on 300 Central Avenue in Mountainside. 

 

Tickets for the concert are $10 for general admission and $5 for students and senior citizens.

 

The band, directed by Howard Toplansky with guest conductor John Ondrey, is noted for its eclectic program of music spanning Renaissance to Ragtime.

 

For further information, please call 908-789-9696 or log on to www.njworkshopforthearts.com.

 

           
The Music Connection, an instrumental music program for special needs families, is currently interviewing and placing students in this innovative program of the New Jersey Workshop for the Arts.

           
Potential candidates, ages 6 and older with neurological, developmental and/ or physical handicaps,  will be interviewed and evaluated for admission to study violin, viola, trumpet, piano, clarinet, alto sax, oboe or snare drum. 

           
Students must have a Music Partner who will attend all lessons and practice with them.

 

Although there is no tuition for the student, parents must pay an adjusted fee.  The NJWA will loan band and orchestral instruments to the students at no cost, but parents will be charged a reduced fee.            
 

Due to present financial restrictions, placement in the program is limited.  However, the NJWA is seeking individual or corporate sponsors so that it can continue providing this service and possibly expand the Music Connection to include more families.

           
The Music Connection will be held at the NJWA studios at 150-152 East Broad Street, Westfield.  Please call Dr. Ted Schlosberg at 908-789-9696 for a brochure or more information.

           

           

 

 

 

The New Jersey Workshop for the Arts Music Studio offers several opportunities for string musicians, from all surrounding communities, to join its various orchestras.

<br>Experienced string players may become members of  the Chamber Orchestra, which will meet on Saturday afternoons, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm at the NJWA studios at 150-152 East Broad Street, Westfield.<br>
                  
                  <br>Beginning and elementary string students can participate in the Training Chamber  Orchestra, which will also meet at the NJWA studios on Saturdays, from 3:00 to 4:00 pm.<br>
                  
                  <br>Both orchestras will be directed by Ms. Janet Lyman, a faculty member at the Music Studio, the Westfield Summer Workshop and conductor of the  NJWA  Summer Symphony Orchestra. A graduate of Manhattan School of Music with advanced degrees in Music Education, Ms. Lyman  is an  Orchestral Teacher in the Tenafly Public Schools and is also the Music Director at the Zion Lutheran Church of Clark.<br>
                  
                  <br>Both the Chamber Orchestra and Training Chamber Orchestra, whose membership fee is $275 for either ensemble,  will begin rehearsals on October 24,  although members may join after that date. The sessions will conclude on May 1.   There will be 21 rehearsal dates and the orchestras will perform in two concerts.<br>
                  
                  <br>Please call 908-789-9696 to obtain additional information or arrange for an interview.
                  

The NJWA Rockin' Jazz Band, directed by Dr. Ted Schlosberg with assistant director Caryn Feder, will begin rehearsals for its 2009-2010 season each Saturday from 4:00 pm until 5:30 pm at the New Jersey Workshop for the Arts studios, 150-152 East Broad Street, Westfield.

This ensemble, comprised of members of all ages, is for musicians who have an interest in learning standard jazz repertoire and some rock and roll.

To register for the band and to obtain additional information, call 908-789-9696, visit their studios or log on to www.njworkshopforthearts.com.

Kids 'n' Arts, a music, art and drama program for children ages 3 through 5, is currently accepting registration for its fall session, which begins on October 13.

In this exciting program, children create arts and crafts, using a variety of mediums, while listening to Mozart. During music, they learn about rhythm and pitch using voice, percussion and tonal instruments. In the drama segment, they can express themselves through acting, theater games, creative movement, pantomime and puppetry.

Classes are held on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Children may be enrolled in the two hour drop-off program for the 9:30 to 11:30 am class or the 12:30 to 2:30 pm class.

Tuition for the 15 session semester is $470, but students may enroll at any time and tuition will be pro-rated.

Please call the New Jersey Workshop for the Arts at 908-789-9696, visit their studios at 150-152 East Broad Street, Westfield, or log on to www.njworkshopforthearts.com for more information.

Register now for Kids on Keys, a 10 week group piano experience for children ages 4 and older.

<br> Sponsored by the New Jersey Workshop for the Arts,   this 45 minute session uses the unique and innovative Musique Rapide to teach children the fundamentals of reading music through  a take-home kit (property of Kids on Keys) that includes a miniature piano keyboard, a game board and game pieces. Playing the game makes it fun and easy  to read notes and count rhythms. <br> 
                  <br>The class is offered on Sunday mornings and Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons  and evenings  at the NJWA studios at 150-152 East Broad Street, Westfield.<br>
                  <br>A new  session begins the week of September 13, but students many enroll at any time and tuition will be pro-rated.<br>
                  <br> For more information, call 908-789-9696, visit the NJWA studios at 150-152 East Broad Street, Westfield, or log on to www.njworkshopforthearts.com.
                  

The New Jersey Workshop for the Arts Concert Band is seeking interested intermediate and advanced woodwind, brass and percussion instrumentalists to perform in its 17th. year of community concerts in Union County.

<br> This multi-generational band rehearses every Saturday from noon to 1:30 pm at the Westfield YMCA, 220 Clark Street.<br>
                  <br> Under the baton of NJWA faculty member Howard Toplansky, the band is scheduled to play a five concert series at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Mountainside during the 2009-2010 concert season.<br>
                  <br> The band's repertoire is described as "Renaissance to Ragtime" and has included several world premieres of concert band music. <br>
                  <br> For more information or to schedule and interview, telephone 908-789-9696 or email njwaband@att.net.
                  

The New Jersey Workshop for the Arts is currently registering students, both children and adults, for its many vocal and instrumental music classes. Beginning, intermediate and advanced instruction is offered in 30, 45 or 60 minute lessons.

The semester, which begins on Thursday, September 10, provides instrumental lessons in strings, guitar, woodwinds, brass, percussion and piano. The staff consists of more than 30 highly skilled professional artists and educators who teach a wide variety of music including classical, contemporary and jazz.

There are also group lessons in piano, for ages 4 and older, and guitar and voice lessons for children ages 5 to 7.

Students may register at any time and tuition will be pro-rated.

For a brochure and additional information, visit the NJWA studios at 150-152 East Broad Street, Westfield, phone 908-789-9696 or log on to www.njworkshopforthearts.com.

The New Jersey Workshop for the Arts and the Watchung Mountain District of the Patriots' Path Council of the Boy Scouts of America have collaborated to form a co-ed jazz band called Venturing Crew 150.

<br>Interested musicians,  male and female, ages 14 to 21, who play one of the following instruments: alto sax, tenor sax, bari sax, trumpet, trombone, electric guitar, electric bass guitar, string bass, piano, drum set or traps are welcome to join.   The group is also seeking vocalists who sing jazz or pop music. <br>
                  <br>Please call 908-789-9696, visit the NJWA studios or log on to www.njworkshopforthearts.com for further information.