To highlight the talents and skills of New Jersey public school students, the New Jersey School Boards Association will showcase performances by students during the 2018 Workshop Conference. The students will perform on Oct. 23 and 24 at the Atlantic City Convention Center.
In the spring, NJSBA put out a call for student performances and received many impressive entries from public schools throughout the state. Their performances will take place throughout the Workshop, as follows:
Tuesday, Oct. 23, 9 a.m., at the entrance area of the Exhibit Hall during the Workshop kickoff ceremony, Eleanor Rush Intermediate School Music Makers
The Eleanor Rush Intermediate School Music Makers are an afterschool choir program started by music teacher Natasha Sigmund 10 years ago. Since its inception, the choir has grown from 14 to more than 100 students, and has expanded from one to three performing groups. In 2010, the Music Makers were named the winners of the 101.1 More FM Christmas Choir competition (elementary division), and performed with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops. The following year, the choir won the NJ 101.5 Christmas Choir Contest. The Rush school music program is inspired by Dr. Gordon’s Music Learning Theory, and was featured on New Jersey Classroom Close-Up.
Tuesday, Oct. 23 at 10:30 a.m., in the Atlantic City Convention Center Atrium, Dover High School Women’s Ensemble
The Dover High School Women’s Ensemble, also known as the “Noteworthies,” is an all-female a cappella group open to all students at Dover High School. Students join in the fall of each year and meet once a week after school. This group, led by vocal music teacher John Hoferer, performs a broad-based repertoire, including sacred, secular, pop, and contemporary pieces.
Tuesday, Oct. 23, 12 p.m., at the Johnston Communications County Café, the A.S. Faust Intermediate School Band
The A.S. Faust Intermediate School Wind Ensemble is a 10-piece ensemble made up of select students from the 80-plus member concert band. It is under the direction of Jeffery Schweikardt, who has led the instrumental music program at the school since 1993. Annually, the band participates in the “Trills and Thrills” Music Festival where they have scored superior ratings for three consecutive years. The group also performs for the community programs and the Bergen County Teens Arts Festival.
Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2 p.m., on the Investors Bank Theater Stage, Carteret High School Varsity Vocals
Varsity Vocals is the premier a cappella group at Carteret High School. Founded in 2015, Varsity Vocals singers have performed at many venues locally, regionally and statewide, including the town’s borough hall, on the field for the Trenton Thunder minor league baseball team, at festivals, at charity events, and at New York City’s Bryant Park. The group has received high praise and positive feedback from adjudicators in recent competitions. The Varsity Vocals group is under the direction of Mr. Kason Jackson, who has been the director of vocal music at Carteret High School for three years.
Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 10:30 a.m., in the Atlantic City Convention Center Atrium, Plainfield Academy for the Arts and Advanced Studies, Students: Alliss Alas and Etbaal Hernandez
Plainfield Academy for the Arts and Advanced Studies (PAAAS) Piano Studio is for anyone who loves music and wants to learn to play the piano. Students are required to perform a solo or duet piece in a public setting at least three or four times throughout the year. Some advanced students have a chance to accompany dancers and singers. Students perform regularly at the Union County Teen Arts Festival. Last year, two students were selected to perform at the N.J. State Teen Arts Festival and the Union County Teen Arts Showcase.
Wednesday, Oct. 24, 11 a.m., on the Investors Bank Theater Stage, Frank R. Conwell Elementary School in Jersey City, the Conwell Kidz
The Conwell Kidz @ PS3 began in 2004 at the Frank R. Conwell Elementary School in Jersey City. The Conwell Kidz Drama program consists of third, fourth and fifth-graders from both general and special education classes. Last year, the students competed at The National Performing Arts Festival in Orlando, Fla. They won the showcase award for the junior division and performed “The Little Mermaid Jr.” onstage at Disney Springs. In addition, several students received individual acting awards.
Wednesday, Oct. 24, 12 p.m., at the Johnston Communications County Café, The Piscataway High School Saxophone Quartet
The Piscataway High School Saxophone Quartet, under the direction of Dr. Christopher G. Sumner, has been performing at various musical events in Piscataway for many years. Dr. Sumner has been the instrumental music director at PHS for 19 years. He directs the wind ensemble and orchestras, while also teaching AP Music Theory and Music Technology. He is also a graduate of Piscataway High School.
Workshop 2018, taking place Oct. 22 through Oct. 25 at the Atlantic City Convention Center, is the largest professional development event for school leaders in New Jersey.
Registration/Expanded Group Registration The group registration rate now includes up to 20 team members for only $1,600. Workshop 2018 will feature over 250 training programs and has something for every member of the district team, including school board members; business administrators (who can earn Qualified Purchasing Agent credits); superintendents; principals; charter school trustees and lead persons; school technology professionals; school facilities managers (who can earn Certified Educational Facilities Manager credits); curriculum directors; teachers and more. Team members can stay one day or all four days. The individual member rate is $300 per person.
Registration is available online, and must be handled by the school business administrator.
For updates and more information on Workshop visit the Workshop website.