VPA April/May 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.

MHS & FMS families are invited to attend an informational meeting specifically focused on the future of our auditorium spaces at both Frelinghuysen Middle School and Morristown High School. This presentation is open to all parents interested in learning about the upcoming school referendum, how it addresses the current conditions of our auditoriums, and the proposed plans to upgrade these spaces for our students.

Meeting Details:

• Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026

• Time: 5:00 PM

• Location: Morristown High School Auditorium

• RSVP: Google Form

The annual Alexander Hamilton Art, Music, and Spanish Night was a massive success. From the moment the doors opened, the rooms were absolutely packed with families, friends, and staff eager to celebrate the talented students.

The energy in the building was electric, filled with the incredible sounds of our students performing live throughout the night. It was a wonderful showcase of the diverse artistic talents that make Alexander Hamilton a special place.

The Hillcrest Art and Music Show was a huge success. The exhibition featured an incredible array of student artwork inspired by iconic artists and eras, including the Cave of Lascaux, Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, Monet, van Gogh, Mondrian, Kandinsky, Miró, O'Keeffe, Rousseau, Picasso, and da Vinci, just to name a few. Our talented students poured their hearts into the event, proudly demonstrating their deep love of the arts through both their stunning visual displays and captivating live performances.

FMS eight-grade ceramics students recently brought social media trends into the art studio by creating slab-built face mugs. The project was inspired by the viral contemporary potter Katie Rose, widely known as @K2.clay on social media. The students had a wonderful time channeling her distinct style into their own unique, hand-sculpted ceramic pieces.

FMS seventh-grade Art students recently created beautiful landscapes featuring hot air balloons of various sizes. Each balloon was decorated with unique repeating patterns, and students used watercolor colored pencils to add vibrant color. By applying smooth gradients, they successfully used highlights and shadows to give their artwork a realistic sense of shape and depth.

The FMS Bands, under the direction of Mr. Ari Ocasio, Mr. Timothy Beadle, and Mr. Nathan Morla, performed in their annual Spring Concert at Morristown High School on May 13, 2026. Nearly 300 students across three grade levels and six ensembles performed works by composers such as Rossano Gallante, Jorge Vargas, Sonny Rollins, and Alfred Reed for a standing-room-only crowd.

FMS 8th grader Juliana Heusel received a first-place award for her 2-D artwork, “El Camino de Frida,” at the Teen Arts competition at the County College of Morris on May 15. Her award-winning piece has advanced to the state-level competition, which will take place at Middlesex College during the first week of June.

On May 9, 2026, nine of our talented FMS sixth-grade band students had the incredible opportunity to represent our school and community in a performance alongside new friends from across Northern New Jersey at the NJSMA Elementary Honors Band Festival in Mount Olive. These young musicians were tasked with individually preparing four pieces in advance for one day of rehearsal, followed by a concert on the very same day.

Congratulations to:

Maya Silverstein - Flute, Israel Pabana Patino - Clarinet, Yerik Gomez DeLaRosa - Alto Saxophone, Carlos Argenal Vargas - Trumpet, Jake Lassman - F Horn, Ian Hatch - Trombone, John Flynn - Baritone, Luca Trovato - Tuba, Hudson Uffer - Percussion

Congratulations to 7th-grade trombonist Leo Escobar, 8th-grade alto saxophonist Gabriel Diringer, and 8th-grade trumpeter Omar White for their acceptance into the NJAJE Region 1 Jr. Jazz Ensemble. The students attended four rehearsals and beautifully represented our school and community in concert at the NJAJE Region 1 Jazz Festival on April 19, at Parsippany Hills High School.

• “Cry Me a River,” performed by the MHS Big Band, led by Mr. Morla, with vocalist Caroline Higgins;

• “My Girl,” performed by the John Williams Band;

• An original routine performed by the Motown Stepperz, the MHS Drill Team;

• “Purple Rain,” performed by the student band Northern Lights; and

• “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” performed by the MHS Choirs.

Congratulations to senior Ryan Snyder for earning third place in the 2026 New Jersey High School Composition Contest, sponsored by the Harmonium Choral Society. His composition, "Spring in War-Time," will be performed by the Harmonium Choral Society at its "Ride the Storm" concerts on Saturday, June 6 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, June 7 at 3:00 PM at the Morristown United Methodist Church. Tickets for Ryan's premiere can be purchased here.

Ryan is a second-year section leader in both the Mixed Chorale and the Men’s Choir (Glee Club), the vocal captain for the spring musical, and the co-director of our student-run Jazz Choir. Ryan has directed several small chamber ensembles during his time at MHS, including a group that performed one of his original works. He will be attending Montclair State University in the fall.

We are thrilled to recognize the following students who were selected as "Music Students of the Month" by the Mayo Performing Arts Center:

• Allison Crean

• Jackson Bruce Miller

• Nina Helene Gringeri

• Brooks Seibold

• Tessa Niznik

• Ryan Gregory Snyder

• Cole Bartlett

• Kara Matlins

In addition to this honor, they took the stage for a spectacular performance alongside the acclaimed Ndlovu Youth Choir on Saturday, February 28.

The annual District Choral Festival on Wednesday, April 15, was an incredible success. Over 250 singers from the FMS and MHS choirs, spanning seven grade levels, delivered an incredible performance at Morristown High School.

Accompanied by a talented mix of student and professional instrumentalists, each ensemble performed beautifully. The highlights of the evening included two combined choir performances, featuring Mozart's moving “Lacrymosa” and our beloved annual tradition, “I Sing Because I’m Happy.” Thank you to everyone who came out to support our music department.

On Saturday, April 18, the Morristown High School Winter Color Guard officially closed out its season at the Mid-Atlantic Indoor Network Championships. Morristown delivered an outstanding performance of its show, titled "Remains of the Day," securing fifth place out of 21 competing teams.

The students in this ensemble have worked tirelessly since November to perfect their routine, dedicating countless hours to mastering complex techniques with flags, sabres, and rifles. The entire music and arts department extends special congratulations to seniors Alessia Guida and Kaitlyn Wright for their leadership and dedication.

On Thursday, May 7, 2026, the FMS and MHS jazz ensembles came together at Morristown High School for the annual District Jazz Night. The landmark 35th anniversary event featured over 80 musicians, three big bands, and one student-led choir directed by Ryan Snyder and Brooks Seibold.

Students across seven grade levels performed legendary selections by iconic composers, including Sonny Rollins, Irving Berlin, Mongo Santamaria, and Wayne Shorter. The evening was further elevated by guest appearances from renowned trombonist Dion Tucker and the One More Once Big Band.

In a special highlight of the evening, seniors Bobby McLaughlin, Samantha Seibold, and Henry Yip—who was named the 2026 Louis Armstrong Award recipient—were invited to join the guest artists on stage during their set. We congratulate all of our incredible performers on a spectacular night of jazz.

The music department celebrates tenth-grade pianist Tara Gumpper for her successful open audition and selection into the Senior Region 1 Jazz Combo.

The combo showcased its talents at the NJAJE Region 1 Jazz Festival on April 19 at Parsippany Hills High School. The performance was directed by Frelinghuysen Middle School jazz director Mr. Ari Ocasio. We commend both Tara and Mr. Ocasio for their dedication to musical excellence and their exceptional contributions to the regional jazz community.

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.