RFH Senior Named Grand Prize Winner Of Statewide Music Contest

RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN, NJ - This multi-talented teen is making a name for himself in the music world.

Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School Senior Hayden Marciszewski, an accomplished pianist, guitarist, bassist and integral member of both the RFH Music Program and Tri-M Music Honor Society, was recently named the grand prize winner of the New Jersey Music Education Association’s 2020-2021 Young Composers Competition.

Marciszewski submitted his original, instrumental composition - titled “An Angry Young Man” - in December 2020 and was named the grand prize winner of the competition on Jan. 30, 2021. His video performance aired at the virtual New Jersey Music Educators Conference this past week.

Now in its twelfth year, the prestigious Young Composers Competition encourages the most talented and promising high school musicians from all over the state to submit original compositions in both instrumental and vocal divisions and judges submissions on both the composition itself as well as a student interview regarding their creative process.

Marciszewski’s winning submission, as well as those of the other finalists, can be heard on the NJMEA’s website (click here to watch).

In composing “An Angry Young Man,” Marciszewski notes his inspiration as the frustration and anger he felt during his junior year of high school amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was a difficult year for me academically and socially. I was feeling a lot of pressure from people for everything I was doing inside and outside of school,” he said of the solo cello piece. “This piece is like a culmination of my feelings and exasperation for the whole year, including the transition to virtual learning, compliments of COVID.”

While this is Marciszewski's first grand prize designation, "An Angry Young Man" wasn't his first submission to the NJMEA Composition Competition. The teen has been submitting pieces since eighth grade and was selected as a finalist three times prior to being selected as the grand prize winner this year.

“When I heard the news, I was overtaken with joy and just so thankful for the support I’ve received from teachers and family during my musical journey. But honestly, none of this would’ve been possible without my parents’ guidance and support,” Marciszewski said.

The talented multi-instrumentalist first began his musical journey on the piano at age five. He was classically trained ever since and even studied under Russian pianist Marina Strakovsky for the past eight years. As her pupil, Marciszewski has had the opportunity to perform six times at Carnegie Hall.

Marciszewski also recently began studying composition professionally with Nick DiBerardino after writing his first original solo piano piece a few years ago.

Outside of his classical traning, Marciszewski credits his participation in the RFH music program as an important part of his recent growth as an artist:

“RFH has really helped me make connections with other artists and grow as a musician and performer. Learning how to work with others is imperative as a composer/musician, and I owe a lot to Mr. Zach Lorelli for providing ample opportunities to promote myself," he said. "Many of the classes were very enjoyable including Songwriting because it pushed me to write and create new songs completely out of my comfort zone.”

When he isn’t playing with the concert and jazz bands, string ensemble or singing with the Tower Singers choir, the teen devotes his time and talents to activities as a member of the National Honor Society and National French Honor Societies. Marciszewski also plans to continue his artistic studies by pursuing a Bachelors in music by majoring in composition and minoring in creative writing/poetry/songwriting next fall.

Seth Herman, Supervisor of World Language, Fine and Performing Arts and Physical Education and Health, says that he has observed Marciszewski’s many contributions to the RFH community throughout the past three and a half years, and undoubtedly sees many more contributions in the future.

“I am thrilled that Hayden has been recognized for his musical contributions in this way," he said. "Not only is Hayden a talented musician, but he is also generous, hard-working, and just a great person."