VPA January 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.

On Thursday, December 18, Alexander Hamilton School celebrated the season with a series of wonderful holiday concerts. The event featured talented performances from our 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade choruses, as well as the 5th-grade orchestra and band. Congratulations to all our student musicians on a spectacular performance!

Our young artists have been hard at work creating unique masterpieces at home and bringing them to school to inspire their peers.

Sixth-grade students recently explored the signature style of Alma Thomas, creating mosaic-inspired artworks using watercolor pencils. By focusing on nature as their subject matter, they used bold colors and repeating patterns to bring their compositions to life. These final pieces showcase impressive technical skill in blending and layering, resulting in a collection that celebrates the vibrant energy of the natural world.

Seventh grade art students explored surrealism by creating imaginative cityscape compositions inspired by contemporary artist John Behnke. Students designed dreamlike urban environments where reality and fantasy blend together. They used liquid watercolor to create vibrant backgrounds, colored pencils for detailed architectural elements, and collage techniques to assemble and layer their final compositions. The result is a collection of unique, expressive cityscapes that showcase creativity, thoughtful design, and mixed-media craftsmanship.

Right before winter break, ceramic students had a hot chocolate party in mugs they made in class. They got to test their mugs to make sure there were no leaks, their handles were properly constructed and attached and that the glaze functioned correctly. It was a cozy way to end 2025!

Left to right: Jack Vuotto, Miles Schmidt, Rosie Mangione, Mischa Wolper, Celia Davis, Dina Varghese, Caroline Varghese, Haniyah Hill, Elsie Gonzalez, Wolf Beslow, Nadia Lane, and Olivia Plitt.

Twelve of our FMS Falcons represented us at the Morris Area Honor Choir concert on January 17th! These students worked so hard to prepare a concert in just a few short weeks.

CONGRATULATIONS to freshman Katherine Matras, who auditioned for and was accepted into the NJSMA Region I Choir!

The MHS Choirs (including the Treble & Mixed Chorales, Concert Choir & Glee Club) held their annual Winter Concert on Thursday, December 18, 2025. The choirs were joined by guest conductor Wayne Walters, who was the Director of Choirs at Morristown High School from 1982 to 1995. Other highlights included:

• “Noél Ayisyen (A Haitian Noël)”, learned with help from native Haitian Creole speakers: student Tasheena Pierre and her father

• “Juego a que me quemo”, performed with student accompanists Nina Gustavsen, Vivienne Macbain, Liam Houston and Jacob Bonn

• “Durme Durme”, a Ladino lullaby, learned with help from Beth Hancock: vice president of the Maroon & White Music Boosters, who specializes in Semitic language music performance

• a student-led bluegrass trio including Persephone Wetcher, Tessa Niznik, and Helene Gringeri, performing “This is Not the Land of Kings”

Twelve FMS band students participated in the North Jersey Area Band festival. They combined with students from 40 local schools to put on an amazing concert at Mt. Olive High School on January 17.

Congratulations to Ian Diaz, Gabe Diringer, Azim Rawat, Omar White, Chris Trabachino, Eve Albiston, Penn Pukash, Jacob Strassberg, Brianna Gumpper, Dahlia Ocasio, Evelyn Ross, and Ya’Zariah Dawson!

The annual Morristown Merry Tuba Christmas was once again a highlight of the holiday season! Over 115 musicians braved the cold for a concert on the green on December 20th. Current students from FMS and MHS joined alongside alumni for a wonderful day of festive music making. Mr. Gallagher serves on the board of directors for Tuba Christmas and led the ensemble on several pieces.

Congratulations to FIVE amazing MHS musicians on their acceptance into the North Jersey Region Band. They auditioned alongside students from over 90 high schools and earned their spot in either the Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble. They will perform in a special concert on Sunday February 1st.

Congratulations to our 3 amazing students who were accepted into the New Jersey All State Band this year. These students will perform in 2 special concerts at Atlantic City and NJPAC!

MHS Broadcasting students participated in Media Day for the MEF Morristown OnStage Competition.

Students filmed finalist interviews and finalist performances during the day-long media event. Video that was filmed by the students will be used as part of the Morristown OnStage event scheduled for February 24th at MPAC

WJSV was also active, broadcasting Boys and Girls Varsity Basketball games. Sports announcers Liam Houston and Kevin Hernandez were up on the cardio deck providing the Morritown Community with play-by-play of two games. We are also planning more winter sports coverage on WJSV, including hockey, wrestling and fencing!

Congratulations to all Morristown ONSTAGE 2026 finalists, who include many Morris School District students, teachers, and families! They include the following:

• Jackson Miller, MHS student

• Selah Raphael, MHS student

• Amelia Corcoran, Tara Gumpper, Arthur Rachofsky, Persephone Wetcher, John Williams and Henry Yip, (MHS students) performing as the Three Cheers Sextet

• Savannah Paul, Jonelle Ramsey (MHS students), Naheed Azooz, Carmella Brown, Haniyah Hill, Jennisis Hylton, and Amoyii Kelly (FMS students), members of Unity Step.

• Emilia Domanowski and Adam Casadevall, MHS staff members performing as The Colleagues

• Rob Miller, Eric Chang (MHS parents), and Mark Hanna (FMS parent) performing in the band Spare Parts.

• Juniper McDevitt, Woodland student

• Ashley Koning, Woodland parent

Morristown ONSTAGE, the Morris Educational Foundation’s premier fundraising talent show, returns to the Mayo Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. The 19th annual event will showcase 14 incredible acts performing a dynamic mix of dance and musical performances across pop, folk, theatre, alternative, jazz, and more—a night of talent that will inspire and entertain the whole family!

Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased through MPAC by clicking here! Special Offer for MSD Family & Friends: Buy 4+ Tickets by February 4 and receive 10% off (valid on Premium, Section A & Section B seats).

Buy your tickets today! Every dollar raised benefits the Morris Educational Foundation’s mission to enhance educational opportunities in the Morris School District for every student, every day.

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.