Central Gets Jazzy

WMC student musicians performing at the Central v. Morristown football game.  Photo creds nj.com

WMC student musicians performing at the Central v. Morristown football game. Photo creds nj.com

Abigail Rec, Sports Editor

Central’s music department has a lot to offer this holiday season, between choir, jazz band and baroque orchestra performances.

Central’s talented musicians meet on a daily or weekly basis,  exercising their expertise, culminating into various enjoyable concerts in and out of school.

The Baroque Orchestra is a small group of orchestra students who meet every Thursday afternoon at 3:00 pm. The group is conducted by Mrs. Meiseles, who selects pieces from the Baroque Era (1600-1750) for the group to practice and perform.

The Baroque Orchestra has various performances in December. They performed movements from the Corelli Christmas Concerto on Sunday, December 1, at 5:00 pm at the Zion Lutheran Church celebrating the annual tree lighting. On Tuesday, December 16, at 5:30 pm the group made an appearance at Andrea’s Dining Room in downtown Long Valley to honor the Menorah lighting, performing various holiday songs.

The choir and orchestra performed their annual combined performance of Handel’s Messiah in the auditorium on Thursday, December 18, at 7:30. Messiah is an oratorio—a musical depiction—originally written for Easter, embodying the birth and life of Jesus as according to the Christian gospels. The music, however, is widely enjoyed by individuals everywhere, regardless of their religious denomination. Handel’s Messiah features his famous piece “Hallelujah,” as well as other songs celebrating the holiday season.

Central’s music department hosted various performances in early December, including concert band and choir performances and auditions. Central’s choir, led by Miss Witko, performed a concert of choral, secular and religious holiday pieces in the auditorium on December 3, at 7:30 pm. The concert consisted of all choral groups, including the period 4 and period 6 concert choirs, as well as the all-female choral group The Lorelei’s and the all-male choral group The Howlers.

Ms. Schaefer, our concert band conductor, also runs West Morris Central’s Jazz Band. Jazz Band is an extracurricular group who practice music selections derived from 1920’s Jazz Era.

The group hosted auditions on December 3, between 6:00-8:00 pm in the band room, B115. The club starts after auditions, practicing every Wednesday evening from 6:00-8:00 pm until January, when rehearsal dates will change to Monday nights at 6:00-8:00 pm. Jazz Band’s instruments include saxophone, trumpets, trombone, bass, guitar, piano and drums. Each individual is asked to audition with their instrument and the solo piece found on Ms. Schaefer’s webpage.

“If you are interested in joining or auditioning, come see me in B115,” Ms. Schaefer encourages. Interested persons can also visit her webpage which provides further details regarding jazz band.

Central’s music department has many other opportunities for students to get involved in music or support Central’s musicians, so get out there and enjoy this holiday season!