April
MUSIC STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
Noelia Carrasco Grade 7, Copeland Middle School, Rockaway; Nominated by Ardith Collins Noelia is an outstanding student who has been a cellist in the Copeland Middle School String Ensemble for 2 years. She is a dedicated, committed, and joyful student who loves the arts. Noelia is conscientious and caring of her peers, and her natural gift of musicianship shines through all she does. Since sixth grade, Noelia has also been a member of the New Jersey Youth Symphony and studies cello with Oliver Shapiro. Through NJYS, Noelia has performed at NJPAC as well as in various concerts for communities and events. Zachary Catron Grade 12, West Morris Mendham High School, Mendham; Nominated by Patricia Danner Not only is Zachary a prolific, award winning composer, but he is a fine player and enthusiastic student. Zachary play violin in the orchestra, sings in the choir, and is an accomplished pianist. He is the choir president this year and also is the student director for the all-male a cappella group, Men In Black. Zach plans to pursue a major in Music Composition, and we have been lucky enough to perform his compositions and arrangements for the last four year. He is an incredibly talented student, but more importantly his loyalty and dedication to the music program make him a great candidate for this award. Taylor Hine Grade 12, Jefferson Township High School, Oak Ridge; Nominated by James Wynne Taylor has given outstanding contribution to the Performing Arts at JTHS. He has made a commitment to pursue a career path that will lead to his becoming a music educator; perhaps even a High School Choral Director. He is an accomplished pianist, singer, and actor- and a young man who constantly strives to improve his knowledge and skill at the craft. In addition to leading the bass section, Taylor also performs the most difficult role found in vocal music- he is the piano accompanist. He is a true scholar and musician. He is a defined role model among his student musician peers and the high school community. Lucas Harvey Grade 7, Mount Olive Middle School, Budd Lake; Nominated by Melany McQueeny Lucas has been a member of the Mount Olive Middle School Music Program since he was in sixth grade. Lucas came into the middle school playing Alto Saxophone, but quickly asked to play the Baritone Saxophone. Lucas continues to impress me with his determination and skill level. He is consistently prepared for lessons and band. He learns all the music that is put in front of him. Lucas is a member of both our Junior Winds group and Jazz Band. He will be a strong and lasting member of the Mount Olive Music Program for many years to come. Sheryl Peng Grade 7, Mount Arlington Public School, Mount Arlington; Nominated by Dr. Michael Aberback Sheryl is a gifted and dedicated young musician. She is a fine singer as well as a mult-talented instrumentalist. Sherly is a member of every musical ensemble offered at our school. She sings in the Concert Choir and Honors Choir, plays first clarinet in the Concert Band, and plays percussion in our percussion ensemble. Sheryl is also a highly skilled pianist, playing at Carnegie Hall and Drew University. She has played piano in many charitable benefit concerts and is a pleasure to work with.
The 2015-2016 Music Student of the Month program is sponsored by The Provident Bank Foundation
Karel Raska Grade 12, Morristown High School, Morristown; Nominated by Michael Russo Karel is the principal Horn in the Morristown HS Wind Ensemble and has successfully auditioned for many Honor Groups including North Jersey Area Band, Region 1 Band, and the New Jersey All-State Band. He has also participated in many other Horn activities outside of Morristown HS including the New Jersey Youth Orchestra and the New Jersey Youth Symphony. Karel has excelled in his leadership role in the music department and always encourages the underclassmen. Karel’s high level of talent and his natural enthusiasm make him an excellent candidate for the Music Student of the Month. Drew Sabo Grade 12, Kinnelon High School, Kinnelon; Nominated by Charles Linnell Drew has been an irreplaceable member of the Kinnelon HS choral program for the last four years. He is a member of the advanced choir at KHS, and was selected to the Morris Area Honor Choir. One of Drew’s greatest accomplishment has been his student direction of the KHS Contemporary Choir. Drew has also been a cast member of the musical every year playing Doody in Grease and Lucas Beineke in The Addams Family. He is a wonderful student and young man and is worthy of this recognition. Elisabeth Sauerman Grade 8, Mountain View Middle School, Mendham; Nominated by Leigh Carpenter Elisabeth Sauerman has been nominated because she has a passion and love of music that drives her to excellence on her instrument. The music captures Elisabeth’s heart and she appreciates all the nuances, the articulations, the phrasing, the melodies and harmonies, and how it all fits together with the whole group moving and playing together. Elisabeth’s focus is on musicality. She researches and suggests repertoire for us to play. She is always willing to help out, doing whatever is needed to improved the band. She is a wonderful young woman of great character who is nothing but positive, kind, and respectful to everyone. Joseph Wentworth Grade 8, Brooklawn Middle School, Parsippany; Nominated by Joseph Stella Joseph is a great musician and wonderful band student. He is not only a talented trombonist in the Brooklawn Middle School 8th grade concert band and jazz band, but is a talented percussionist as well. This year he will be playing the drum set part for the BMS musical production of Grease. Outside of school, he was recently accepted by audition as the 1st chair trombonist for the North Jersey Junior Region Intermediate Band and Junior Region Orchestra. He has also been active in music during the summer months for several years attending the Mount Tabor Summer Music Camp in Parsippany. Jacqueline & Josephine Wu Grade 8, Randolph Middle School, Randolph; Nominated by Hsiao-yu Lin Griggs Jacqueline and Josephine are both 8th grade students at Randolph Middle School and have been playing Viola and Cello since 4th grade. They are both the principal players in grade level orchestra as well as the select string orchestra-Con Brio. When the Wu sisters are not playing music at school orchestras, they are also members of New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Academic Orchestra. Both Jacqueline and Josephine auditioned and were accepted into North Jersey Jr. Region Orchestra two years in a row. Most recently, these talented young ladies performed at Stern Hall in Carnegie Hall. They are invaluable members of the Randolph Middle School Orchestra.