Cali School gets grant to continue partnering with SOMSD

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Montclair State University John J. Cali School of Music’s Arts Institute Partnership Grant was renewed for a second year. The grant is designed to provide music lesson services to South Orange-Maplewood School District music students.

Last year, South Orange-Maplewood School District’s fine arts department and Montclair State University embarked on one of the first ever partnerships of its kind in the state of New Jersey. Via a $30,000 combined grant from the Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation and the Montclair State University Foundation, the John J. Cali School of Music piloted an Arts Institute in South Orange-Maplewood. This included an African drumming and ukulele program at Seth Boyden, during and after school lessons and classes at the middle and high schools, a jazz ensemble residency at Columbia High School, and more — all taught by professors, including members of the New York Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera, as well as master’s students from the school.

As in the past year, the grant will provide music instruction enrichment to K-12 music programs of teachers who request support services. Lessons will be provided during and after the school day.

  Columbia High School, Maplewood Middle School, Montclair State University, Seth Boyden, South Orange Middle School, South Orange–Maplewood School District