South Orange middle school’s 7th and 8th graders made a fine showing at Friday’s High Note Music Festival. The festival hosts sixteen schools from all over New Jersey with each school having their own time block.
SOMS was the first of the day with both 7th and 8th grade bands, 7th and 8th grade orchestras, general chorus and select chorus performing. The groups were judged by Robert F. Porecca, retired music director and Roy Gussman, director of the Monmouth County symphony. The judges recorded their critiques into handheld devices throughout the performances so that the teachers can listen to the comments later.
SOMS band director, Donald Tighe, says that he uses the feedback, good and bad, as a learning tool for the kids. Each group was scored on a scale of superior, excellent or good. The 7th grade orchestra, 8th grade orchestra and 7th and 8th grade combined chorus received excellent and the 7th and 8th grade bands and the select chorus received marks of superior.
The reward for such high ratings? A well deserved trip to Six Flags: Great Adventure!
