VPA November Newsletter

The Morris School District is proud to provide ample opportunities in the Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Our teachers are extremely dedicated and skilled in promoting and developing creativity, aptitude, and enthusiasm within their respective fields. Our students excel in the art studio, on stage, and in the graphic arts.

If you would like to highlight an accomplishment of a district student or teacher, please e-mail Elaine Broe, Communications & Community Relations, Coordinator, at elaine.broe@msdk12.net.

The MHS and FMS Band Departments are celebrating a significant achievement, announcing that 12 students from each level have been selected to represent the Morris School District in the prestigious North Jersey Area Band (NJAB) this year.

"NJAB is an association of 40 N.J. schools," stated Band Director Tim Beadle. "I am very proud that we have more students represented in the honor band than any other school!"

Members of the marching band performed in Veterans Day ceremonies both on the Green in Morristown and in a special ceremony at Morristown High School put on by the Heritage Club.

The marching band was invited to perform alongside the Marching Scarlet Knights at Rutgers University for their Military Appreciation Day. Our Marching Colonials got to watch a college rehearsal, rehearse with the band, and then perform with them at the football game to a crowd of thousands! It was an incredible day and so great to reconnect with MHS alumni currently marching with Rutgers!

Fun Fact: Mr. Gallagher, Ms. Scott, Mr. Sauer, and Mr. Chu all have degrees from Rutgers!

The marching band season concluded with a performance on the Jersey Spotlight Stage at a New Jersey Devils game! Members of the band and color guard were invited to perform pregame and get the crowd hyped before a professional hockey game.

The MHS Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble had incredible performances at their winter concert to kick off the season! Highlights included staples from the wind band repertoire alongside holiday favorites, including Holst’s "Second Suite in F" and "Sleigh Ride." Please enjoy some of the performances:

The following MHS Choir students auditioned for and were accepted into the Morris Area Honor Choir:

Michael Bozza - 9th Grade

Allison Crean - 12th Grade

Ethan Danysh - 9th Grade

David Gelfand - 12th Grade

Logan Leyton - 10th Grade

Katie Matras - 9th Grade

Tessa Niznik - 12th Grade

Julia Vuotto - 9th Grade

Persephone Wetcher - 12th grade

Special Visitors for MHS Choir Students:

The snow didn’t stop the MHS Choirs from performing with the Morris Choral Society in a joint concert at the United Methodist Church on Sunday, December 14. Combined selections included “One Minute Madrigal,” under the direction of Director Emeritus R. Wayne Walters, choir director at MHS from 1982 to 1995, and “God’s Love Made Visible,” with Director Michael Shane Wittenburg.

On December 4, the Mixed Chorale and Treble Chorale attended the NJSMA Region I Choral Festival and received superior ratings in adjudication, in addition to watching performances by other high schools and taking part in clinics by higher education professionals.

Congratulations to our Fantastic Falcons who will be representing FMS in the Morris Area Honor Choir:

Wolf Beslow (7th)

Celia Davis (8th)

Elsie Gonzalez (8th)

Haniyah Hill (8th)

Nadia Lane (6th)

Rosie Mangione (6th)

Olivia Plitt (8th)

Evelyn Ross (7th)

Miles Schmidt (8th)

Caroline Varghese (6th)

Dina Varghese (8th)

John Vuotto (6th)

Mischa Wolper (7th)

The FMS Select Choir performed for the Morris County Retired Education Association on December 10. They performed a concert and then taught the retirees how to ring chimes while they sang carols together.

The FMS Choirs had a fantastic Winter Concert on December 17. We are so proud of all the singers who performed!

Normandy Park students brought down the house with three successful winter concerts on Friday, December 5. Each grade-level chorus, plus the 5th-grade band and 5th-grade orchestra, performed under the direction of Mrs. Schwam (chorus, band) and Ms. Carroll (orchestra). Everyone did an amazing job!

Hillcrest School hosted its annual winter concert, titled "Holiday Parade." The musical program recognized a variety of holidays and celebrated the New Year. The event featured student performances that emphasized cultural appreciation, creativity, and school community.

MHS Broadcasting has been busy as we head into the holiday season. We recorded the MHS Theatre production of “Little Women,” as well as the winter band, chorus, and orchestra concerts. Our cameras were also at the “Night Out in the Cold” event and the Morristown Onstage auditions.

WJSV radio has several new licensed DJs going on air for the first time. We had two Atrium shows taking music requests from students during lunch, and we also broadcast live from two football games and two basketball games.

We are looking forward to broadcasting from the MEF Morristown Onstage event in February, as well as covering more winter sports.

The Morris Educational Foundation (MEF) works year-long in collaboration with the Morris School District community to bring resources to all students and all schools. Together, we help everyone Imagine the Possibilities - and make it a reality.

This includes funding for annual Cultural Arts programming, classroom grants as well as literacy programs and resources to name a few. We rely on our donors to make this all possible and during this season of giving, we ask for you to consider a gift at bit.ly/MEFgift to help us continue our impact for the ‘23-24 school year.

Click here to learn more about the MEF's impact. The Morris School District is an amazing place, and the MEF is proud to be its partner for over 30 years. We hope you will join us this school year to Imagine the Possibilities!

The Morris Museum creates opportunities for lifelong learning, discovery, and creativity, driven by the contemporary interpretation of its Guinness Collection of Mechanical Musical Instruments and Automata as well as its general collections.

To learn more about the Morris Museum and what it offers, visit their website by clicking here.