James Caldwell High School To Hold Music Marathon

WEST CALDWELL, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of a Patch Caldwells community member. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site.

James Caldwell High School’s annual all-day Music Marathon is set for Saturday, Feb. 22. This year’s theme is “Cities Around the World.”

“The high school teachers have decided that ‘traveling’ to different cities and performing music associated with each location would give us flexibility in our choice of repertoire,” said Elsie Timpson, choral director at JCHS.

The JCHS Women’s Chorus will be singing Motown music from Detroit, and the Concert Chorus will present music that originated in San Francisco during the 1960s, Timpson said. JCHS music teacher Jeffrey Cierniak said the orchestra will spotlight the city of Buenos Aires by playing tangos and other music of that region.

The annual event, which serves as a showcase for JCHS music students, will feature all of the school’s performance ensembles. The larger groups will take the stage inside the Center for Performing Arts, and the individual and smaller performances will take place throughout the lobby and band room.

“The students have the opportunity to perform as soloists and with their friends. Many students form small groups just for this event,” Timpson said.

“It is clear that the music department works extremely diligently to help the students achieve and reach their full potential,” said Nicholas Meyer, JCHS supervisor of music. “I have also been very impressed with the well-developed talent that our students hold. I am looking forward to the music marathon, as it will bring a day of strong and entertaining performances from our students.”

In addition to musical performances ranging from singers to orchestra to bands, the Music Marathon will also include a special Children’s Hour and a sneak preview of Into the Woods, the JCHS spring musical.

JCHS theatre teacher Greg Paradis said that the audience will get to enjoy a preview of the play’s opening number, since it will feature most of the cast members. He also said that in keeping with the travel theme, the Children’s Hour will offer arts and crafts, a New York City-style photo booth, Times Square characters, and more.

“The music teachers do not get paid for working all day Saturday at the Music Marathon,” Timpson said. “The event is a major fundraiser for the music department.”

The schedule of the day is as follows:

10-10:50 am: Children’s Hour
11-11:20 am: JCHS Symphonic Band
12-12:20 pm: JCHS Concert Band
1:20-1:40 pm: JCHS Orchestra
2:30-2:50 pm: JCHS Jazz Band
3:40-4:10 pm: JCHS Women of Note, Madrigals, and Retromen
4:55-5:25 pm: JCHS Women’s Chorus/Concert Chorus
6:10-6:50 pm: Into the Woods preview, prize drawings, and closing remarks

Individual and small group performances throughout the day, specifically at 11:25-11:55 am, 12:25-1:15 pm, 1:45-2:25 pm, 2:55-3:35 pm, 4:15-4:50 pm, and 5:30-6:05 pm. Food will be sold throughout the day in the band room.

“Make every effort to attend, as this will be a great experience that you do not want to miss,” said Meyer.

Admission at the door is $12 per family. Advance tickets of $10 per family are available through JCHS music students. James Caldwell High School is located at 265 Westville Avenue in West Caldwell.

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