Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • August 5, 2009 Ridgewood George Swope to conduct Ridgewood Singers The Ridgewood Singers, a community chorus for over 50 years, recently welcomed George W. Swope as its new conductor and artistic director. Swope will begin his new position in September. Known for his ability to inspire singers of all ages and musical backgrounds, Swope has built choirs that consistently stand out for their excellence, cohesive sound, and enthusiastic performances. Having studied at Westminster Choir College, Swope has 20 years of experience directing choirs of all sizes in Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. He is currently director of music at Cedar Crest Village in Pompton Plains. Swope is also an organist and choral accompanist, frequently collaborating with the choir of Saint Elizabeth’s Church in Ridgewood and with members of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra for their Advent Concert each December. Comfortable on both sides of the podium, Swope regularly sings with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and the Montclair State University Chorale. The Ridgewood Singers is a mixed voice community chorus performing and practicing in Ridgewood. The group’s members include individuals of varying ages and backgrounds who hail from Bergen and Passaic counties. Rehearsals are scheduled for Mondays from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Society at 113 Cottage Place in Ridgewood. Auditions for the Winter 2009 concert will follow open rehearsals on Sept. 14 and 21. All voice ranges are encouraged to audition; however there is a great need for sopranos (both first and second) and male voices. Prepared music is unnecessary. For more information, call Jim at (201) 4473049 or e-mail theridgewoodsingers@yahoo.com. Reviewing music for the upcoming season are George Swope, conductor; Cathie Smeedy; Karen Occhiogrosso, accompanist; Nancy Vassallo; and Mark Hermann. The Ridgewood Police Department is investigating a house burglary, a theft from a parked car, and the theft of a bicycle. On July 21, an Albin Court resident reported coming home and finding the house burglarized after an unknown person or persons broke the glass door of the house. The thieves ransacked the bedroom and took an undetermined Village of Ridgewood Police Department Report quantity of jewelry. On July 22, a Walthery Avenue resident reported that her son’s bicycle had been stolen. He had parked the bicycle outside a South Maple Avenue business and it was missing when he returned. On July 24, an Old Stone Road resident reported that someone had entered her vehicle and had taken credit cards from her wallet. The credit cards had later been used by locations in Paramus and Hackensack. A 19-year-old Ridgewood man was charged with reckless driving and driving while intoxicated after he reportedly drove his car into the side of a house on Crest Road. The vehicle left the road and struck the house. (continued on page 14) ��������������������������������� ������������������� ��������� ������������ ���������������� ����������������������������� ��������������������� ��������������������������� ��������������������� ������������������������������������� �������������������������������������� ���������������������������������� �������������������������������������� �������������������� ������������������ Experience Ridgewood...Shop and Dine Locally www.ridgewoodchamber.com ������������������������� ����������������� ������� ������ ������������������������ ��������������������� ������������������� ������������ ����������������������� ������������������������