Music department awards ceremony strikes perfect chord at WOHS

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Parents, family and friends filled the Tarnoff Cafe on June 6 for the annual West Orange High School Music Department Awards and they were treated to a special evening of entertainment.

Seniors in the Tri-M Music Honor Society received their pink cords to wear at their June 22 graduation and musical performances highlighted the evening, including the singing of the national anthem by graduating senior Victoria Estoque, the high school alma mater by the choir and a performance of “The Gods Love Nubia” from the spring musical, “Aida.” The string quartet performed “Beethoven Quartet Op. 18, No. 4” and “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.”

Department awards followed in orchestra, choral, boys’ and girls’ step teams, band, marching band, winter guard, percussion and jazz band. As the evening drew to a close, student representatives stepped to the microphone to thank their teachers for all they have done to help and support them over the past four years: Cameron Wolf and Racquel Wong thanked orchestra teacher Teresa Lim; Daniel Querques lauded chorus teacher John Hellyer, who he has worked with since he was in Liberty Middle School; and Roula Ramadan recognized Jubilee Choir leader William Farley, along with Da’Shawn Neal and Jenny Joachiom of the boys’ and girls’ step teams.

Supervisor of fine arts Lou Quagliato presented the final awards of the evening, the WOHS Music Teachers Scholarship Award, given to Henry Gardner, and the Barbara L. McClure Scholarship Award, given to Jordan Green. Both students will pursue the arts in college.

Photos Courtesy of Cynthia Cumming

  Scholarships, West Orange High School