Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Arts Department
You Matter. We Matter. The Arts Matter
April 2018
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Welcome to April 2018 Arts Newsletter! It sure doesn't feel like April, but despite the Snow-filled
March, the West Milford Arts had a busy and successful season of events which are highlighted here. I
hope you enjoy seeing the pictures and reading of the successes of our staff and students!
Two of the many highlights of this season, are the success of our Culinary students in the Culinary
Institute of NY at Monroe College "America's Best HS Chef" competition. Our first time entering this, we
were the ONLY public school represented. I'll let you look for the results below. It is worth the search!
The second is the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM, a non-profit association), "Best
Communities in Music Education" award for the tenth year running! I am certain of previous years as
well, but my history there is fuzzy. This award is given after completing an extensive survey asking about
the Schools, the Staff, the Budget, the Administrative and Community Support, Performance
Opportunities and Professional Development. It is no surprise that we have again received this coveted
award, but it is no less wonderful! It is an award we all share as members of the West Milford Arts
Community! So give yourselves a pat on the back as well! Yea us!
Enjoy more events and details below! We look forward to welcoming you at our upcoming Spring
Events! We hope to see you there!
John Boronow, K-12 Supervisor of Music, Art & Family & Consumer Sciences in West Milford
West Milford High
School Band:
Jazz Ensembles:
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NJMEA Performance:
The Highlander Wind Ensemble was invited to
give a new music clinic at the Wind Band
Academy at the NJMEA Convention this year.
The band gave performances of five newly
published works, ranging from medium to
advanced levels of difficulty. The band
performed very well, earning standing
ovations, and even moving some audience
members to tears!
Jordan Dreyer, a senior bassoon player, was accepted into the United States National Honor Orchestra.
She submitted a recorded audition in the fall, and was selected out of applications from all over the
country. She travelled to Indianapolis at the beginning of March to spend several days in rehearsal, all
of which culminated in a truly astounding performance. Jordan is only the second student in West
Milford History to be named to an ensemble of this level. We are very proud of Jordan and her many
high-level accomplishments.
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Spring Musicals:
High School’s The Little
Mermaid:
Despite the relentless
March snow, this years
WMHS production of The
Little Mermaid was a
smashing success. With a
meet the characters
luncheon and an
elementary school
preview, the children and
adults alike of the West
Milford community were
taken on a colorful
journey Under The Sea.
The snow even helped
enhance the mood with
some amazing snow sculptures. Special thanks to the
maintenance and custodial staff for having our
buildings audience ready despite 20 inches of snow and a special thanks to the community for digging
out and showing up.
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America’s Best High School Chef
Abigail Porch won America's Top High School Chef and the recipient of a full academic scholarship to The
Culinary Institute of New York. Anthony Hopler came in fourth place in the cooking portion of the
competition. He was a awarded a partial scholarship. Many hours of preparation and practice went into
this event and there accomplishments are truly impressive. Their hard work and determination will carry
them far and we look forward to hearing about their future accomplishments. We are so proud
of them!
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Macopin Music:
Junior Region Chorus:
This was an exciting year for our young vocalists in Junior Region Chorus. West Milford had the most
participants it has ever had. From Macopin: Aidan Becker, Georgie Barrett, Angelo Fernandez and
Daphne King represented in the Mixed Choir. Madi Storch, Lilianna Sanchez, Morgan Todisco, Grace
Syme, Julia Gerst and High Schooler Natalie Hamblin represented us in the Treble Choir. They had a
marvelous performance t Kittatinny Regional High School.
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Dr. McLaughlin worked with Wayne and Mr. Paterno worked with West Milford. This gave the
students the experience of working underneath the baton of another conductor as well as the
opportunity to improve on the pieces they are currently preparing for future festivals and concert
performances. After the clinics, students broke for lunch and got to know their neighbors!
After lunch all students participated in a combined rehearsal where they rehearsed the Star Spangled
Banner and Marches of the Armed Forces with Miss McPartland and the 8th Grade Band Director from
Wayne, Mr. Pusak, giving them another opportunity to work with another conductor and each other.
At 12:30 p.m. we had a short performance for our Wayne/West Milford parents and administrations.
Without the support of our administration and parents we would not be able to give our students these
wonderful opportunities and shared memories.
We thank you ALL for the platform you give us daily to develop and showcase the talents of these young
musicians!
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All District
This year's K-12 collaborative mural art
project was inspired by the international
street artist, Kelsey Montague. Her
inspiring and interactive wing murals are
made from paint pens and challenge
people to ask the question "What Lifts
you?" and "What makes your heart Soar?
At the elementary level, grades were
divided so that each grade level, K-6, was
represented with a feather color. Students
focused on the art element, value, and
created
a
painted
value
scale. Students' line and pattern designs were done with white to
enhance the contrast of the feather. Students in art classes grades
7-12 had a hand in the mural as well; creating feathers to add to mural
as well as helping to assemble the mural, and writing the quote. “On a
night like our All District Arts Festival, we know what lifts us.”
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A Look Ahead….
Spring Concerts:
Summer Academies
NEW THIS SUMMER: WEST MILFORD BAND PARENTS ARE SPONSORING A SUMMER ARTS PROGRAM!
Choral Academy
The goal of the West Milford Choral Academy is to provide students entering grades 5-9 with an
opportunity to prepare vocally for the upcoming school year and to perfect and expand on vocal and
performance techniques within a solo and ensemble setting.
The program runs Monday through Friday from July 9th through July 20th from 10am through 1pm with
a culminating concert performance the evening of the 20th.
Jazz Academy:
The Jazz Academy is a week long program for students looking to continue their development in jazz
over the summer break from school. This program aims to develop ensemble techniques, improvisation,
knowledge of theory, and other musical skills needed for today's jazz student. The Academy's aim is to
also provide families a cost effective program that is also close in proximity to students in northern New
Jersey.
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The program runs from August 6 to August 10 at WMHS, with a student performance on the evening of
the 10th. Students currently in grades 7 & 8 should register for the morning 8am-11am session, while
students currently in grades 9-12 should register for the 12pm-3pm session. In addition, any students in
grade 9 who wish to participate in the morning session may register for that session instead.
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