The art scene in Haddonfield is growing.
Many of the borough’s arts offerings are well known and visible, such as the sculptures from the Haddonfield Outdoor Sculpture Trust, the Inside/Out exhibition from the Philadelphia Museum of Art or the Markeim Arts Center.
Others may not be as visible, but are just as influential.
For the performing arts, there is a little-known non-profit in downtown Haddonfield called the Haddonfield Center and School for the Performing Arts.
The HCSPA is a community music school and performing arts center housed at Grace Church and its adjoining Grace Performance Hall. The organization is dedicated to providing quality instruction and a vibrant center for the performing arts in the South Jersey community.
“It is important to know that we are here. If anyone has an interest in the performing arts, we are a venue that should be on their radar because our offerings are eclectic and affordable,” Artistic Director Maximillian Esmus said.
Established in 2012, the HCSPA was founded by members of the community and Grace Church when they perceived a need for a center for the performing arts in Haddonfield. Knowing they had a great performance hall upstairs, the community and Grace Church decided to create the non-profit to provide the space for that purpose. Though existing at Grace Church, the HCSPA is independent to be more available to the community.
“This church has some amazing facilities, classrooms with Steinweg pianos and an amazing auditorium. They were being underused, only on Sundays and rest of the week they were not used. The founders saw the need for it in the community and saw they had a facility to offer,” Esmus said.
In the three years it has been established, the HCSPA hosts a yearly concert series, youth summer camps, music lessons, Zumba classes, and work and performance space for different groups.
The popular concert series begins in September and runs through May. The series for 2015–2016 isn’t quite ready to be revealed, but soon it will be on the website at www.haddonfieldarts.org under “Concerts.” It is a great place for people to come and enjoy diverse and eclectic music right in the downtown of Haddonfield. A snippet of the different musical experiences coming up for the season includes choral music, trumpets and folk.
“We’re not quite ready to announce our series, but when we do there is going to be some great stuff…We try to get a mix of classical and popular styles in our concert series,” Esmus said.
As far as the facility is concerned, the concert series is just a small part of what goes on in the performance hall. Outside groups use the space for performances and rehearsals. Some groups include The Greater South Jersey Chorus, which rehearses and holds its annual Cabaret at the center, and Symphony in C Youth Orchestra, which rehearsed and held concerts at the center last year.
For the school, the HCSPA hosts a summer choir camp for children first through 12th grade. The camp gives children an introduction to the performing arts, specifically singing. At the end of the camp, the participants get to sing the National Anthem at the Camden Riversharks. The camp for younger children is currently full, but the camp for fifth through 12th graders is still open. To sign up go to the HCSPA website and click on Choir Camp.
The HCSPA also offers music lessons and Zumba classes for students. Music lessons include violin, piano, guitar and voice. The lessons are taught by professionals and, with the center being a part of the HCSPA, performance opportunities are often available.
“They are all amazing. If you’re interested in music lessons, this is a good place to come. We also offer Zumba classes here Tuesdays at 7 p.m. We’re happy to host that as well,” Esmus said.
The offerings at HCSPA do cost money, but it all goes toward the bands, teachers and the use of the facility. Like all non-profits, its only goal is to break even.
Esmus hopes those who attend the concert series or take any of the classes realize the importance of the performing arts in the community. Attending a live performance or taking a class can’t be compared to listening to a recording or staying at home, according to Esmus.
Through the HCSPA, Esmus hopes those who experience the performing arts through the organization get a stronger sense of their own creativity. He hopes they expand their horizons both big, by calling themselves a singer after camp, or small, by expanding their musical tastes.
“Everyone is creative and everybody has to find an outlet. So I hope our series offer a way for people to explore,” Esmus said.
To learn more, visit the website at www.haddonfieldarts.org.
