Rev. Ross H. Lang, Pastor
Rev. Ross Lang is the pastor of Hildale Park Presbyterian Church. Rev. Lang is a native of Yardley, Pennsylvania and a graduate of Lafayette College, where he majored in English and biotechnology. After extensive involvement in the worship and leadership teams of his college Christian fellowship, Rev. Lang felt called to become a pastor, and matriculated to Princeton Theological Seminary, where he earned both the master of divinity degree, and a second master's degree in theology with a focus on New Testament. He has undertaken additional graduate study in Koine Greek, the language of the Apostles who wrote the New Testament.
Rev. Lang was fortunate to grow up in an environment that valued both knowing and living God's word, and hopes to foster a similar environment at HPPC through Sunday school, Bible studies, and sermons that bring the full truth of scripture to people, and equip them with the gospel of Jesus Christ, so they can proclaim and demonstrate the good news of the resurrection, forgiveness of sins, and the grace of God wherever they go.
He lives in Cedar Knolls at the church parsonage with his daughter Penelope, who is five years old.
Rev. Lang was fortunate to grow up in an environment that valued both knowing and living God's word, and hopes to foster a similar environment at HPPC through Sunday school, Bible studies, and sermons that bring the full truth of scripture to people, and equip them with the gospel of Jesus Christ, so they can proclaim and demonstrate the good news of the resurrection, forgiveness of sins, and the grace of God wherever they go.
He lives in Cedar Knolls at the church parsonage with his daughter Penelope, who is five years old.
Michael V. Ficocelli, Organist, Choir Director
Michael V. Ficocelli has been our organist and choir director since 2007.
In addition to being a music educator in the Glen Rock, NJ school district he is also a talented composer, musician and director. His works have been performed on the Broadway stage and he and his wife Marci have performed together in many splendid venues throughout the United States. In particular, Michael is composer and lyricist of From Death to Hope, a twelve piece song cycle with narration loosely based on quotes from Viktor Frankl's 'Man's Search for Meaning’. It has been performed at Holocaust Memorials in Europe and most recently at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles, Ca.
EDUCATION
• Master of Science-Music Education (K-12 Certification)
Concentration: Theory and Composition University of Bridgeport, CT
• Bachelor of Arts-Philosophy Boston University
• Piano and Music Theory Instruction Samuel Yaffe, New Haven, CT. Four years. Jane M. Jones, East Haven, CT. Five years.
• Additional Administrative course work Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, NY
• Jazz Workshop (Piano) Housatonic Community College, Bridgeport, CT Instructor: Sonny Costanzo
• Songwriters Guild (Songwriting Workshop) New York, NY. Four years.
Instructor: Bob Leone
• BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop New York, NY. Four years.
Instructor: Maury Yeston
In addition to being a music educator in the Glen Rock, NJ school district he is also a talented composer, musician and director. His works have been performed on the Broadway stage and he and his wife Marci have performed together in many splendid venues throughout the United States. In particular, Michael is composer and lyricist of From Death to Hope, a twelve piece song cycle with narration loosely based on quotes from Viktor Frankl's 'Man's Search for Meaning’. It has been performed at Holocaust Memorials in Europe and most recently at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles, Ca.
EDUCATION
• Master of Science-Music Education (K-12 Certification)
Concentration: Theory and Composition University of Bridgeport, CT
• Bachelor of Arts-Philosophy Boston University
• Piano and Music Theory Instruction Samuel Yaffe, New Haven, CT. Four years. Jane M. Jones, East Haven, CT. Five years.
• Additional Administrative course work Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, NY
• Jazz Workshop (Piano) Housatonic Community College, Bridgeport, CT Instructor: Sonny Costanzo
• Songwriters Guild (Songwriting Workshop) New York, NY. Four years.
Instructor: Bob Leone
• BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop New York, NY. Four years.
Instructor: Maury Yeston
Joanne Willans, Interim Sexton
Joanne Willians is serving the church as our interim sexton. She comes to us from Whippany Presbyterian church, where she has served and volunteered in a variety of capacities for many years.
