HBW Music Wraps Up Fantastic Year

As the 2014-15 school year wraps up, the H.B. Whitehorne Music Department is looking back on an extraordinary year. From the mega-event “80s Night” to “A Capella Night”, Music in the Parks and the concerts, students were constantly striving for musical excellence.

Friday, May 29, was a beautiful day for the department to participate in the annual Music in the Parks competition and enjoy an afternoon at Great Adventure. The day was capped with an awards ceremony at the park. After last year’s trip to the amusement park was canceled due to unsafe weather conditions, the students were especially eager to enjoy the rides with their friends. Before that could happen, however, they had a chance to demonstrate their high level of musicianship before a panel of judges at Monroe Township Middle School and High School. The two vocal ensembles and four bands, directed by Amanda Hamilton, Brian Michalowski and Dan Halpern, were all rewarded for their year of early-morning rehearsals with a series of high ratings and awards.

HB Voices received a Superior rating and won first place as well as Best Overall Treble Choir. The other vocal ensemble, Acoustics, received an Excellent rating and third place in their category.

Of the three concert bands, White Band, which consists of fifth-grade students, won first place, Best Overall Concert Band, and a Superior rating. Maroon Band won a rating of Excellent, and the Gold Band also won first place as well as a Superior rating.

HBW Jazz Band won first place, a rating of Superior and it was also voted Best Overall Jazz Ensemble. In addition, alto-saxophonist Anna Konrad-Parisi was awarded a medal for Outstanding Student Jazz Soloist.

The year concluded with the spring concerts at Verona High School on June 2 and 3. The music teachers are so proud of all of the students at HBW and are looking forward to next year!