Tuesday, December 2, 2025
As a courtesy to the artists and for the uninterrupted enjoyment of your fellow patrons, please turn off all electronic devices. No portion of this performance may be photographed, recorded, filmed, taped, broadcast or mechanically reproduced without the written consent of the Artist and/or the Presenter. Mayo Performing Arts Center is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Program subject to change.
At a moment when musical streams are crossing with unprecedented frequency, it’s crucial to remember that throughout its history, New Orleans has been the point at which sounds and cultures from around the world converge, mingle, and resurface, transformed by the Crescent City’s inimitable spirit and joie de vivre. Nowhere is that idea more vividly embodied than in the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, which has held the torch of New Orleans music aloft for more than 60 years, all the while carrying it enthusiastically forward as a reminder that the history they were founded to preserve is a vibrantly living history.
PHJB marches that tradition forward once again on So It Is. The album redefines what New Orleans music means today by tapping into a sonic continuum that stretches back to the city’s Afro-Cuban roots, through its common ancestry with the Afrobeat of Fela Kuti and the Fire Music of Pharoah Sanders and John Coltrane, and forward to cutting-edge artists with whom the PHJB have shared festival stages from Coachella to Newport, including legends like Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello and the Grateful Dead and modern giants like Beck, The Foo Fighters, My Morning Jacket, and the Black Keys.
Alexander Cardell
Grade 12; Butler High School; Nominated by Lyn Lowndes
As a first year instrumental music student, Alex learned trumpet, but that was only the beginning. He went on to learn french horn and tuba. At Butler High School, he participates in the Concert Band, Jazz Band, Spring Musical Pit Orchestra and Marching Band. In the marching band, he has been section leader and Drum Major. For our spring musical in 2025, Alex stepped up to play a very difficult bass guitar part for the show. Alex has played both trumpet and tuba with the Bloomingdale Cornet Band—a community group founded in 1884— and has participated with the TCNJ Honor Band, North Jersey Area Band, Morris County Community College Wind Ensemble. Lastly, Alex has served the community for many years by playing “Taps” for 911 Remembrance Ceremonies, Memorial Day Parades and “Wreaths Across America” events. Alex will be going to college for Music Education as a tuba major.
Rosemarie Caserta
Grade 8; Brooklawn Middle School; Nominated by Adam Austerlitz
Rosie is a dedicated and passionate musician. She is always trying to better herself as a musician by taking every opportunity she can to perform. Rosie is always first to volunteer for a solo or any chance to play. You can find her performing with the BMS Symphonic Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, and even with the BMS Band on french horn. Rosie contributes so much to the BMS Orchestra program and definitely deserves to be recognized for her efforts!
Anthony DiMontova
Grade 12; Whippany Park High School; Nominated by Peter Sciaino Anthony DiMontova is an excellent French horn player whose dedication and musicianship greatly elevate our high school band program. He has a warm, resonant tone, good technical facility, and is thoughtful musically. Anthony approaches every rehearsal with good focus and professionalism. His commitment to continual improvement and his genuine passion for music make him a truly deserving candidate for Outstanding Brass Player.
Kelly Donaldson
Grade 12; Kinnelon High School; Nominated by Ryan Stroud
Kelly has been an important part of our band program here at Kinnelon High School. She has been an outstanding Euphonium player in our Wind Ensemble for the past several years. Sheʼs always interested in helping others (including her teachers) and sheʼs been a crucial leader in our band and our school.
Jack Eisenmenger
Grade 8; Pearl R Miller School; Nominated by Bonnie Hendricks
John “Jack” Eisenmenger has shared his musical talents with our PRM Music Department as a three year member of the Concert Band, Jazz Band and our PRM Honor Band and has also represented PRM in the NJSMA Elementary Honor Band. Jack is always the first student to sign up for extra performance time and is always willing to help his fellow students with their music and with their skill development in the Brass Section. He always loves to use a full sound and volunteers for solos in our Jazz Band rehearsals all the time. His maturity and musicianship are a joy to have in our school. I am extremely fortunate to have such a great student musician and leader in the Trombone section. This is why I am nominating Jack Eisenmenger as our Outstanding Brass Player.
The 2025-2026 Music Student of the Month program is supported by The Walter F. and Alice Gorham Foundation, Inc.
Sean Foley
Grade 8; Mount Olive Middle School; Nominated by Jacqueline Burkat
Sean plays the trombone in 8th grade band and in both after-school ensembles, Junior Winds and Jazz Band. Sean is a fantastic musician who is always striving to improve. He makes a beautiful trombone sound and is always working towards getting better. He cares deeply about band and always does what is necessary to fulfill his role within the ensemble. He reads music at a very high level and always makes his best sound no matter what. He is reliable and committed to our band program and knows what it takes to perform at a high level. He also helps others around him in the low brass section and is kind and mature in his leadership. I am continually impressed by Seanʼs work ethic and music making and I am excited to see where his musical journey takes him.
Chase Hancock
Grade 12; Morristown High School; Nominated by David Gallagher
Chase is currently the principal French Horn for our Wind Ensemble and Mellophone Captain in our marching band. In both bands he demonstrates tremendous leadership and musical maturity. He is a role model who not only gets the best out of his sections, he inspires energy and enthusiasm and is building a tremendous culture amongst his fellow brass players. Musically Chase is an excellent brass player and demonstrates this every day. Last year he played 1st horn for our schoolʼs production of Les Misérables and helped win the Papermill Rising Star Award for Outstanding Pit Orchestra.
Jesus Bahena-Lliguicota
Grade 9; Parsippany High School; Nominated by Erin Neglio
Jesus started playing tuba at the beginning of 8th grade and joined the PHS Marching Band over the summer where he plays the Sousaphone. Jesus is currently in Concert Band, where he is the only tuba player, and has been a great leader to his peers and is always willing to help them out. He strives to improve his sound and playing ability at every lesson and rehearsal, and has already improved a great deal since the beginning of the school year. Jesus is motivated and works hard on a daily basis, and has already become an important member of our band program.
Liam Peller
Grade 8; Pequannock Valley Middle School; Nominated by Michael Kertesz
Liam is an 8th grade trumpet player who has shown remarkable dedication and growth this year. After spending his first years in band on clarinet, Liam made the bold decision to switch to trumpet over the summer so he could join the high school marching band as an 8th grader. He devoted himself to learning a new instrument in a short amount of time, practicing diligently and seeking out feedback to improve. Liam’s hard work paid off—he quickly became a valued member of the marching band and continues to excel in both the middle school concert band and jazz band. His enthusiasm for music, commitment to excellence, and positive attitude make him an outstanding representative of our brass section and a role model for his peers.
Leana Pociask
Grade 10; Parsippany High School; Nominated by Mike Iapicca
Leana is the brass section leader of the Parsippany High School marching band. In this role, she is an outstanding musician and leader. Although she is only in 10th grade, Leana leads with confidence and by example. She is the strongest player in the entire section and is able to make those around her better. In our Wind Ensemble, she is an excellent trombone player. Leana always plays with fine technical skills and advanced musicianship.
Caden Scire
Grade 12; Roxbury High School; Nominated by Jeffrey Conrad
Caden is an excellent young musician and a wonderful student. He is a leader in our band program, both through his commitment to his musical preparation, as well as through his demeanor and support of his peers. His hard work, preparation, dedication and kindness have made him an invaluable asset to the Roxbury Band Program.