The New Jersey City University Unity Ensemble is a vocal group dedicated to the performance of choral music from the African and African-American genres. Founded and directed by Dr. Maredia Warren, the Ensemble is recognized for its versatile and spirited repertoire which includes a wide range of styles including contemporary gospel music, arranged spirituals, spirituals from the oral traditions, and vocal jazz. The Unity Ensemble is especially recognized for its performance of traditional music from Southern Africa. In March 2013, The Unity Ensemble performed at the National Conference of OAKE (Organization of American Kodaly Educators), held in Hartford Connecticut.
The Unity Ensemble began in 2004 as an undergraduate vocal ensemble. At present, the group’s membership has extended to include graduate students and alumni. Since its inception the NJCU Unity Ensemble has made numerous campus appearances including: the NJCU Martin L King, Jr. Scholarship Celebration sponsored by the Lee Hagan Africana Studies Center, the Academic Festival sponsored by the William Maxwell College of Arts and Sciences; the Dedication of the Deborah Cannon Partridge Wolfe College of Education; the NJCU Black History Month Celebration; the NJCU President’s Donors Reception; the Ben Jones Scholarship Benefit; the Celebration of Life for Former NJCU President William Maxwell; and the Salute to Graduates of African Heritage.
Frequently invited to appear for off-campus community organizations, the Unity Ensemble has performed for the Bergen County Martin L. King, Jr. Birthday Observance at the Society for African Missions in Tenafly, NJ; the Youth Explosion Homecoming Celebration at the Bethany Baptist Church in Newark; the First Presbyterian Church of Englewood; the Presbyterian Church of Teaneck; Shiloh Baptist Church in Bordentown, NJ; Garfield School in Kearney, NJ; Temple Sinai in Tenafly, NJ; and Church of the Atonement in Tenafly, NJ.
Maredia Warren, Director of the Unity Ensemble, is Professor of Music Education in the Department of Music, Dance and Theatre at New Jersey City University. An active choral director and clinician at the national and state levels, she has conducted several honor choruses including the New Jersey All State Mixed Chorus, the New Jersey All State Women’s Chorus, the Massachusetts ACDA Women’s Honor Choir, the All Cape and Islands Honor Chorus, and numerous Regional and County Choruses. Dr. Warren’s international choral and music education activities have included performing tours, study, and workshops in West Africa, South Africa, Australia, Canada, China, Cuba and Europe. She is an active member of NAfME, ACDA, OAKE, and AOSA.
Unity Ensemble Performances
The Unity Ensemble began in 2004 as an undergraduate vocal ensemble. At present, the group’s membership has extended to include graduate students and alumni. Since its inception the NJCU Unity Ensemble has made numerous campus appearances including: the NJCU Martin L King, Jr. Scholarship Celebration sponsored by the Lee Hagan Africana Studies Center, the Academic Festival sponsored by the William Maxwell College of Arts and Sciences; the Dedication of the Deborah Cannon Partridge Wolfe College of Education; the NJCU Black History Month Celebration; the NJCU President’s Donors Reception; the Ben Jones Scholarship Benefit; the Celebration of Life for Former NJCU President William Maxwell; and the Salute to Graduates of African Heritage.
Frequently invited to appear for off-campus community organizations, the Unity Ensemble has performed for the Bergen County Martin L. King, Jr. Birthday Observance at the Society for African Missions in Tenafly, NJ; the Youth Explosion Homecoming Celebration at the Bethany Baptist Church in Newark; the First Presbyterian Church of Englewood; the Presbyterian Church of Teaneck; Shiloh Baptist Church in Bordentown, NJ; Garfield School in Kearney, NJ; Temple Sinai in Tenafly, NJ; and Church of the Atonement in Tenafly, NJ.
Maredia Warren, Director of the Unity Ensemble, is Professor of Music Education in the Department of Music, Dance and Theatre at New Jersey City University. An active choral director and clinician at the national and state levels, she has conducted several honor choruses including the New Jersey All State Mixed Chorus, the New Jersey All State Women’s Chorus, the Massachusetts ACDA Women’s Honor Choir, the All Cape and Islands Honor Chorus, and numerous Regional and County Choruses. Dr. Warren’s international choral and music education activities have included performing tours, study, and workshops in West Africa, South Africa, Australia, Canada, China, Cuba and Europe. She is an active member of NAfME, ACDA, OAKE, and AOSA.
Unity Ensemble Performances
- February 28, 2015 - St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Jersey City, NJ
- January 19, 2015 - Dr. Martin Luther King Tribute, Charles H. Bullock School, Montclair, NJ
- September, 7, 2014 - Church of Atonement, Tenafly, NJ
- May 4, 2014 – Annual NJCU Spring Choral Concert, Margaret Williams Theater
- May 2, 2014 - The 28th Annual Salute to Graduates of African Heritage, Sponsored by BAAFSSO and Lee Hagan Africana Studies Center
- April 4, 2014 – Unity Ensemble Concert – African American Spirituals and Gospel Music, Ingalls Recital Hall
- February 10, 2014 -- NJCU Dr. Martin Luther King Scholarship Luncheon sponsored by Lee Hagan Africana Studies Center
- December 18, 2013 – Tribute to Nelson Mandela, Sponsored by Lee Hagan Africana Studies Center
- March 22, 2013 – Performance at the National Organization of Kodaly Music Educators Conference, Hartford, Connecticut, Marriott Hotel
- February 28, 2013- NJCU Black History Month Celebration
- February 13 – Unity Ensemble Concert, African American Spirituals, Ingall’s Recital Hall
- January 23, 2013- NJCU Dr. Martin Luther King Scholarship Luncheon sponsored by Lee Hagan Africana Studies Center
- May 20, 2012 – Concert - Presbyterian Church of Teaneck, Teaneck, NJ
- April 27, 2012 - The 26th Annual Salute to Graduates of African Heritage, Sponsored by BAAFSSO and Lee Hagan Africana Studies Center
- April 13, 2012- William Maxwell Celebration of Life Tribute, NJCU
- March 30, 2012- Temple Sinai of Tenafly, NJ, “Celebration of Freedom”
- March 1, 2012 - Music Major Seminar Concert, NJCU Ingalls Recital Hall
- February 29, 2012- NJCU Black History Month Celebration
- February 23, 2012-Cultural Arts, Black History Celebration, Garfield School, Kearny, NJ
- October 28, 2011- NJCU Scholarship Benefit Celebration honoring Dr. Ben Jones, Professor Emeritus
- May 15, 2011- Concert, Presbyterian Church of Teaneck
- March 6, 2011- Concert, Shiloh Baptist Church Anniversary Celebration, Bordentown, NJ
- January 29, 2011- Cultural Arts Celebration, First Presbyterian Church, Englewood, NJ
- January 19, 2011- NJCU Dr. Martin Luther King Scholarship Luncheon sponsored by Lee Hagan Africana Studies Center
- May 2, 2010, - Annual NJCU Spring Choral Concert, Margaret Williams Theater
- December 4, 2008- NJCU President’s Donor Reception sponsored by NJCU Foundation and Office of Development
- March 26, 2008 – Unity Ensemble Concert, Music at One, NJCU Ingalls Recital Hall
- February 13-16, 2008 -Eastern Division Gospel Honor Choir, Hartford, CT
- January 23, 2008 - 19th Annual NJCU Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, Sponsored by Lee Hagan Africana Studies Center
- January 21, 2008 - Bergen County MLK, Jr. Observance Society for African Missions, Tenafly, NJ
- April 17, 2007 -Dedication of Deborah Cannon Partridge Wolfe College of Education, Margaret William Theater
- Spring, 2005-2008 -Annual Appearances for College of Arts and Sciences
- Academic Festival, Campus Outdoor Plaza; “Youth Explosion” - Bethany Baptist Church, Newark, NJ