In September, we welcomed 305 students into the band program.
In November, the Jazz Band performed for our school pep-rally.
In December, the Brass Choir, Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Band, Concert Band and Symphonic Band performed for a standing room only crowd as they presented Music for A Winters' Evening. Eighth grader Johnathn Ferrer received our Westminster Conservatory of Music scholarship. The Music Department also wowed the student body during two in-school assemblies of their Winter Concert.
In January, eighth graders Heather O'Neill and Eneasz Kadziela successfully auditioned for the Central Jersey Regional Middle School Band. Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Band played for a packed house at the South Brunswick Senior Center.
In February, The Jazz Band received a "Superior" rating at the Nottingham High School Jazz Band Festival. Heather O'Neill received an "Outstanding Soloist" award. Although most middle schools stage a musical production each year, Crossroads made the ordinary unordinary by bringing Bye Bye Birdie alive with a pit orchestra made up of 15 of our own band students. You had to see it to believe it!
As March rolled around the Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Band traveled to Grice Middle School, in Hamilton, to participate in an All Middle School Jazz Band Festival. They worked with clinicians Denis DiBlasio and George Rabbai. Our entrance fees to this festival were paid through the generosity of a Crossroads PTA grant. Six hundred fifty pizza kits that were pre-sold by music students were delivered and distributed. Proceeds went to individual accounts to defray the cost of Hershey Park.
In April, as Beta's Miss Sierotko became "Mrs. Geofrey Mauer", the Jazz Band serenaded wedding reception guests at the Foresgate Country Club, and then became dinner guests at the reception. Thank you Mrs. Mauer!! Members of the Jazz Band became the "House Band" during two performances of the second annual Crossroads Talent Show. The Jazz Band and Jazz Ensemble performed once again at the South Brunswick Senior Center.
On May 19 - 20, 260 students, staff and chaperones loaded six coach buses and traveled to the Music in the Parks sponsored Hershey Park Music Festival in Hershey, Pa. The results are as follows:
- Concert Band received a rating of EXCELLENT and 1st place in the Middle School Division.
- Symphonic Band received a rating of SUPERIOR and 1st place in the Junior High School Division.
- Jazz Ensemble received a rating of EXCELLENT and 1st place in the Middle School Division.
- Jazz Band received a rating of SUPERIOR and 1st place in the Junior High School Division.
- Concert Choir received a rating of EXCELLENT and 1st place in the Middle School Division.
- Vocal Ensemble received a rating of EXCELLENT and 1st place in the Junior High School Division.
- 8th grader, Jonathan Limyanski was awarded the Outstanding Vocal Soloist Award.
- 8th Grader, Minou Pak was awarded the Outstanding Accompanist Award.
- Out of 39 performing groups in the Music In The Parks Festival on May 19-20, Crossroads Middle School won two of only five "Superior" ratings awarded.