SOMS HOSTS ORCHESTRA FESTIVAL

From South Orange Maplewood Schools music program:

On Saturday, May 13th, SOMS orchestra director  Mr. Bill Cook hosted the All-North Jersey Elementary Honors Orchestra Festival at  South Orange Middle School . The event is sponsored by the North Jersey School Music Association and is comprised of fourth through sixth grade students from the area. 

CHS orchestra director  Mr. Todd Van Beveren was on hand to assist, along with some of his CHS orchestra students. Honors Orchestra students were divided into three performing ensembles, based on their school orchestra teacher’s recommendation. The students spent the day rehearsing  in these large ensembles and in an instrument specific section rehearsal. The culmination of the day was a concert, where each of the 3 groups performed.      

Students involved in the festival came from ten different districts in the north Jersey area. South Orange and Maplewood had students participating from  Clinton, Jefferson, Maplewood Middle and South Orange Middle Schools.  Sponsors of these students are Mr. Bill Cook from SOMS, Ms. Annamaria Chilimintris from MMS and Mrs. Jennifer Hershfield from the elementary orchestra program.