VPA March 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 marching band had a wonderful time performing for a crowd of thousands in Morristown’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. A highlight of the parade, the marching band made a grand debut this year in its brand-new uniforms. Thank you to Mr. Matthew Kriley for his leadership and support in making the new uniforms a reality.

As a part of the band’s 100th anniversary celebration, they also recreated the photo of the original band taken in 1925. It is truly wonderful to see how the band has grown and diversified over the years to represent the best of the Morristown community. Here’s to another 100 years of pride, honor, tradition, and excellence!

We are proud to announce the outstanding results of our instrumental ensembles at the recent New Jersey School Music Association (NJSMA) Concert Band Festival.

Wind Ensemble – Gold Rating: The Wind Ensemble received the highest possible rating, reflecting a superior level of performance. In addition to the gold rating, the ensemble earned prestigious "Best in Category" awards for:

• Best Brass Section

• Best Percussion Section

• Best Woodwind Soloist: Emily McNeil (Flute)

Symphonic Band – Silver Rating: The Symphonic Band earned a Silver Rating, demonstrating a high standard of musicality and growth.

Congratulations to Jade Romano, Steven Quad, Amelia Corcoran, and Robert McLoughlin for their outstanding performance at the Rutgers Honor Band.

Our talented musicians joined over 180 students from 59 high schools for an intensive day of rehearsals and masterclasses. The experience culminated in a spectacular gala concert at Rutgers University, performed under the prestigious direction of Dr. Todd Nichols and Dr. Julia Baumanis. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and artistry.

On March 21, our Winter Percussion program reached a major milestone at the Wayne Valley Competition. For the first time in school history, a group from Morristown High School competed in a winter percussion show.

We are incredibly proud of these students for their hard work and fabulous performances. Congratulations on making history and setting a high standard for future seasons.

We are proud to announce that three members of the FMS Falcon Big Band have been selected for this year’s NJAJE Junior Region 1 Jazz Ensemble. These students earned their seats through a rigorous audition process and will represent the Morris School District among the top young musicians in the region:

• Gabriel Diringer (8th Grade) – Alto Saxophone (Lead)

• Omar White (8th Grade) – Trumpet (Lead)

• Leo Escobar (7th Grade) – Trombone

These talented musicians will participate in an intensive rehearsal residency over the next month, culminating in a public performance on Sunday, April 19, at 3:00 PM at Parsippany Hills High School.

On March 25, over 250 students took the stage to perform in the 10th Annual Bands of Morris Concert. The performance featured the FMS Wind Symphony, 7th Grade Band, and 8th Grade Band alongside the MHS Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble. Congratulations to all the students on a fantastic concert.

Music from “The Incredibles” featuring the combined FMS 8th Grade Band & MHS Wind Ensemble

Congratulations to the six FMS students who represented the choir program at the North Jersey Region Choir Concert on March 22. After dedicating themselves to five intensive rehearsals over two weeks, these talented vocalists delivered a spectacular performance at Clifton High School.

Congratulations to Dina Varghese, Nadia Lane, Brianna Gumpper, Celia Davis, Mischa Wolper, and Miles Schmidt (not pictured) for their hard work and dedication.

Our 8th-grade artists recently embarked on a creative journey of self-discovery using the meditative process of neurographic art to explore their unique identities. Through the transformation of simple and spontaneous lines into intricate, flowing designs, the students successfully navigated the boundaries between abstract art and personal reflection.

In these stunning self-portraits, students layered their linework with meaningful words that capture the essence of who they are by highlighting their personalities, core values, interests, and dreams. As their compositions organically evolved, each piece became a powerful reflection of their individual inner maps. The resulting collection is a vibrant celebration of self-awareness and artistic voice which showcases the incredible diversity and creativity of our 8th-grade class.

March was a vibrant month for our student artists as the Art Educators of NJ (AENJ) hosted the annual Youth Art Month (YAM) exhibition. This prestigious show features a select group of K-12 students chosen to represent our county at the County College of Morris (CCM). From that regional pool, only a handful of works are hand-picked by judges to represent the entire state at the Grounds for Sculpture exhibit.

We are incredibly proud to announce the following student representatives:

• From Hillcrest School: Brianna, Wallace, Nolan, and Jonah.

• From Alexander Hamilton: Lily, Cassandra, Emilia, Aubrey, Polina, Audrey, Nikhil, Thea, Saraya, and Emma.

A special congratulations goes to Adalei Edgar, whose work was selected for the State show. All involved students were recently honored at a wonderful reception where they received certificates celebrating their creative achievements.

On March 9th, FMS 7th-grade music students visited the Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) for an immersive performance by JazzReach. This educational concert outlined the first 100 years of jazz history, bringing the genre's rich legacy to life through live performance. Students had the opportunity to discover the stories of legendary performers and composers while experiencing their groundbreaking music firsthand.

On March 18, FMS 8th-grade music students enjoyed their annual trip to New York City to see the legendary Broadway production of The Lion King.

On Thursday, March 5, Normandy Park buzzed with energy during their annual STEAM Fair. While science and technology took center stage, our Band and Orchestra students added a wonderful musical layer to the evening with a series of "mini performances."

These snapshots of talent gave our young musicians a unique chance to perform in a more intimate, casual setting compared to our traditional large-scale concerts. From the first note to the last, every student did a fantastic job. We are so proud of their hard work and versatility.

On Tuesday, March 24, the Normandy Park Players took to the stage for a spectacular performance of “The Great Freeze: A Morristown Musical Mystery!” The cast featured over thirty talented 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders who dedicated nine weeks of after-school rehearsals to the production. For many of these young performers, this was their very first time experiencing the magic of theater.

The show gave local history a serious glow-up. With a "Hamilton-meets-Schoolhouse-Rock" vibe, the plot transported us back to 1780 for an epic showdown against the coldest winter on record. Audiences watched as General George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and the Schuyler sisters battled the elements while the British hatched a daring plot to kidnap the General.

A Standing Ovation for Our Volunteers

A production of this scale truly takes a village. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to:

• Mrs. Echaverria & Mrs. Schwam: For leading rehearsals and bringing the show to life.

• The Normandy Park HSA: For supporting the project and organizing the after-school club.

• Mr. Gallagher & the Morristown HS Marching Band: For lending us authentic colonial jackets and tri-corner hats.

• Mr. Miller: For crafting the script.

• Mrs. Summa: For her incredible work on costumes, props, and scenery.

• Mrs. Casadevall: For managing logistics and rehearsal supervision.

• Mr. Mike: For his help preparing the multipurpose room for the big night.

Congratulations to all our performers on a fantastic run!

The "Tradition" was honored, the applause was deafening, and the echoes of Anatevka are still ringing through the halls. The production of Fiddler on the Roof was more than just a musical; it was a masterclass in student talent, dedication, and storytelling. Thirty-six performers stepped into the shoes of Tevye and his family with incredible grace, balancing the show's sharp wit with its deeply moving themes of change and resilience. The 25 members of our pit orchestra provided the show’s emotional heartbeat, and the 80 crew members, many of whom served double duty in the cast, built an immersive design that pulled the audience directly into the world of Anatevka. Congratulations to all.

A Heartfelt Thank You From the Company of Fiddler on the Roof:

A production of this scale takes a village (or a shtetl). We want to extend a profound thank you to our audience for filling every seat and for continuing to support the arts here in the Morris School District. While the set has been struck, the costumes are packed away, and the instruments begin to pivot to the spring concert season, the memories of this incredible journey will stay with us for a long time. Thank you for being a part of our little village of Anatevka.

The Morris Educational Foundation’s 19th annual Morristown ONSTAGE at the Mayo Performing Arts Center was filled with awe-inspiring performances that captivated the audience and judges. Congratulations to all the incredible MSD students and staff finalists, who include:

• Selah Raphael: MHS senior and Morristown ONSTAGE Rossoff Rising Star Winner

• Juniper McDevitt: Woodland student

• Jackson Miller: MHS senior

• Amelia Corcoran, Tara Gumpper, Arthur Rachofsky, Persephone Wetcher, John Williams and Henry Yip: MHS students who performed as Three Cheers Sextet.

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

• Ms. Emilia Domanowski and Mr. Adam Casadevall: MHS staff who performed as The Colleagues.

Many District students and staff also lent their talents to the production of this high-end event. Our incredible MHS students, District staff and administrators enthusiastically introduced acts throughout the evening, including former finalists Naomi Cohen, Zion Pearson, and Sanjna Vel, along with Mr. David Gallagher and Mr. Jermaine McElwee. Principals Ms. Lisa Fischman and Mr. Mark Manning also proudly welcomed their students to the stage setting the tone for a memorable night.

The MHS Spectrum Jazz Band, under the direction of Mr. Tim Beadle, welcomed attendees with fabulous instrumentals and vocals before the show, and MHS Theatre students ended the performances on a high note with a preview of Fiddler on the Roof under the direction of Ms. Stephanie Rubin. MHS Broadcasting students did incredible work filming interviews with talent, VIPs and sponsors, led by Mr. Lance Armstrong. They also played an integral part in producing video content in the months leading up to the show.

Thanks to the generosity of event sponsors, advertisers, attendees, and donors, Morristown ONSTAGE raised nearly $200,000, which will help the Morris Educational Foundation enhance students’ access to music, arts, STEM programs, after-school activities, and classroom enrichment.

Save the Dates for Morristown ONSTAGE 2027! The show will return to the Mayo Performing Arts Center for its 20th anniversary celebration on February 25, 2027!

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.