Community Presbyterian Church, Moutainside NJ

Countertenor Joseph Hill recently graduated with the Master of Music degree (MM) in voice from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. A native of Arkansas, he earned a Bachelor of Music (BM) degree in vocal performance from Furman University in South Carolina, where he also held the prestigious post as campus organist at the Daniel Memorial Chapel, where he accompanied weekly chapel services on the newly installed C.B. Fisk Opus 121

(click here for more information on the C.B. Fisk Opus 121). Past vocal engagements include leading roles at the Capitol City Opera Institute in Atlanta, roles with the Furman University Opera program, and as a soloist with the Furman Singers on tours in Russia, Estonia, and Finland.

At Rutgers, Mr. Hill has been active in the Rutgers Opera Theater, playing the role of Joad in Athalia, as well as involvement with Rutgers’ early music vocal ensemble, the Collegium Musicum.

Dr. Christopher Belden has been the pastor at the Community Presbyterian Church in Mountainside, NJ for more than 25 years. Prior to joining our Church, Dr. Belden was the Assistant Pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Clarion, PA and Pastor at Christ United Presbyterian Church, Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Dr. Belden received his BA from St. Lawrence University and his Master of Divinity from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He received his Master of Social Work (MSW) at the University of Pittsburgh and his Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) also at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

Mr. Hill has appeared three times as soloist with the Bach Choir of Bethlehem, and has made other solo appearances with Amherst Early Music (Fairy Queen) and with the Collegium Musicum of The College of New Jersey (Come Ye Sons of Art). Last season he appeared as soloist with the Rutgers Symphony Orchestra singing Bach’s Cantata 161, as well as Leonard Bernstein’s Missa Brevis. Past engagements have also included a recital for the Princeton Friends of Opera, Mopsa in Purcell's Fairy Queen with Rutgers Opera, and the title role in Handel’s Solomon with the Choral Arts Society of New Jersey. Mr. Hill is also involved with Vox Fideles, a small vocal ensemble specializing in the performance of Renaissance polyphony. In 2009, Mr. Hill traveled to England for the Tenth Annual Tallis Scholars Summer School, and in 2010, he was named a finalist in the 6th Biennial Bach Vocal Competition sponsored by the American Bach Society and the Bach Choir of Bethlehem.

Joseph made his off-Broadway debut in 2010 to critical acclaim originating the role of the singer in The Last Castrato--a new play by Guy Glass. He also made solo appearances in the spring of 2011 with La Fiocco Baroque Ensemble, singing concerts of Purcell, Blow and Telemann. In the summer of 2011, Mr. hill made his opera debut in New York to critical acclaim singing the roles of Il Destino and Satirino in Cavalli's La Calisto with the Vertical Player Repertory. Upcoming engagements include recordings with La Fiocco, a return to Rutgers Opera Theatre in The Beggar's Opera, Arsamene in Handel's Serse with Sing Through Central (NYC) and concerts with La Fiocco and Vox Fidelis throughout the 2011-2012 concert season.

Mr. Hill currently holds the position of Director of Music, Organist, and Administrative Assistant at the Community Presbyterian Church of Mountainside, NJ, where he also enjoys teaching voice and piano. During his 7 year tenure at CPC, Mr. Hill has led the church's musical ensembles in various special concerts and events in addition to weekly worship services, including the annual Festival of Lessons and Carols during advent, as well as choral/orchestral performances of Mozart's Requiem (2006), Handel's Messiah (2008) and a concert of spirituals with mezzo-soprano Carol Robinson in 2011. In 2010, Mr. Hill founded the Mountainside Community Chorus, presenting a choral/orchestral concert of Fauré's Requiem and Duruflé's Requiem and a concert for late spring of 2012 is currently being planned. If you would like to contact Mr. Hill, please email him at joseph.joe.hill@gmail.com.

SESSION DEACONS TRUSTEES

(2012)(2012) (2012)

Yvonne Jeka

Judy Kersey

Nick Bradshaw

Sandy Burdge

Alison Saksena

Scott Kersey

Ellie Annis

Jamie Boyce

Julie Fristensky

Linda Sharkey

(2013)(2013)(2013)

Kristy Boyce

Rich Jurgens

Bill Masciola

Marjory Bradshaw

John Drobny

Louise Sgarro

Jack McCurdy

Jean Hileman

Bill Vetter

Carolkay Barre

(2014)(2014)(2014)

Laura Del Duca

Joanne Gepp

Michael Boyce

Andy Hoydich

Pat Hanigan

Nick Kissel

Gerald Morehead

Jeaninne Kissel

Greg Meissner

John Salvato

Julie Fristensky - Treasurer

Ellie Annis - Financial Secretary

Alice Gillman - Clerk of Session

Chris Belden - Moderator (Session)

If you are interested in becoming a member or learning more about the Community Presbyterian Church, please contact Dr. Belden here. Classes are held periodically and are designed to help visitors get to know more about our congregation and the history and beliefs of Presbyterianism.

Dr. Belden's support and dedication to our Church permeates through every project, group, special event and daily interaction. His weekly sermons project hope, care, spiritual guidance and a wonderful sense of humor.

Church Officers

Welcome to Community Presbyterian Church of

Mountainside, New Jersey

1459 Deer Path

Mountainside, NJ 07092

908.232.9490

Church Staff