About Us
Formed in April of 2001 by the Jefferson Arts Committee, The Jefferson Township Community Chorus has attracted many township adults, Jefferson Township High School students and alumni to its ranks over the years. Many members belong to church choirs and just want to branch out to more secular music.
In August of 2018, James Wynne was appointed as the new Chorus Director/Accompanist beginning with the Fall 2018 season. He comes to the chorus with an extensive and impressive background having just recently retired as the Choral Music Director and Instructor of Music Technology at the Jefferson Township High School where he worked since 1983. He is currently the Director of Music and Organist at the Hilltop Presbyterian Church in Mendham and continues to serve as the Music Technology Coordinator and Clinician at the NJ Music Educators In-Service.
A well-respected educator and musician, Wynne earned his B.A. in Music Education at Montclair State, his M.A. in Educational Administration and Supervision from William Paterson University, Graduate Study in Musical Performance-Organ Major from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers, and Graduate Study in Music Education from Boston University. He’s been married to his wife Marlene for 44 years and they have three sons.
In January 2018, former director Cherwyn Ambuter returned to become the interim Chorus Director and Accompanist as a permanent director/accompanist is sought for the position(s). Please refer to bio below.
Upon Mike Morris' relocation out of state, Michael Yannuzzi became the new Chorus Director in September of 2015. With a MA and a BA in Music Education from Montclair State University and a State of NJ Certificate as a Teacher of Music K-12, Mike is an experienced Teacher, Choir Director, Musical Director, Vocalist, and Keyboardist. He has considerable experience in all aspects of community theater as well in live performance and studio recordings. Mike is affiliated with No Strings Acapella as a tenor, Sandy and the Wanderers Musical Group as a keyboardist and vocalist, the Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church as Choir Director, The Steve Ames Show as Co-Musical Director, and the Cornerstone Players as a Musical Director.
In September 2013, Michael J. Morris became the Chorus' Director. With a BA in Music from Upsala College, Mike's professional experience includes Musician at St. Margaret's of Scotland Church in Morristown, Music Director at St. Ann's Church in Parsippany, and he serves on the Board of Directors for Zephyr Vocal Ensemble. He has been a vocal member and supporting pianist and conductor for the Jefferson Township Community Chorus for several years. He was recently appointed as the Director of Music at Our Lady Star of the Sea
From September 2010 to June 2013, The Chorus was directed by Cherwyn Ambuter who holds a B.M. in Music from Tufts University and an M.M. from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She founded and directs the a cappella group Zephyr Vocal Ensemble as well as the adult choir at Calvary Baptist Church in Warwick, NY where she also plays the organ. Cherwyn accompanies the Symphonic Chorus and the Chamber Choir of the NJ Conservatory an also accompanies all of the choral groups at Vernon Township High School. She accompanies recitals and master classes and has taught choral/general music in West Milford. She also teaches piano and offers vocal coaching.
Janet Breckenridge became the Chorus’ Assistant Director/Accompanist in September 2012 and sadly passed away in December 2020. With a B.A and M.A. from The College of New Jersey, she had over 38 years of music teaching experience having taught at Milton, Cozy Lake and White Rock Elementary Schools. Janet was also an organist at the Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church and Accompanist and interim Director of the Picatinny Chorus. She played tuba in the Jefferson Township Community Band and piano in the Jazz Band.
The Chorus presented spring and winter concerts and performed at the annual Jefferson Township Day celebration, Christmas In the Village, and other special events by invitation. Through the years they have sung traditional folk songs, Broadway show tunes, sacred music, ethnic tunes, popular songs, and classical music. Today, they continue their spring concerts and perform a winter concert at Christmas in the Village.