Music Education Changes Lives
Join CHSMPA in supporting excellence in music education in South Orange and Maplewood NJ.
Upcoming Events
-
BENEFIT: CLUB FUEGO AT PALLET
Monday, October 26, 2026, 6:00 PM
Pallet Brewing Company, Maplewood NJCome out for an evening of Latin rhythms, craft beer and community spirit, all benefitting the Columbia Cougar Marching Band, as they enter the home stretch of their season.
Dance to DJ Thomas spinning salsa and Latin beats, sip our specialty Fuego Pallet Beer, and grab a bite from the Sandwicheria food truck. Stick around for surprises along the way.
Tickets are limited and include one brew — get yours today!
-
COUGAR MARCHING BAND ENTERS SEASON HOMESTRETCH—SEE THEM WHILE YOU CAN!
The Cougar Marching Band is heading into the homestretch of its competitive season, with three competitions to go over the next two weeks!Hot off of a big night on 10/17—earning the biggest score of any of the 18 bands at the Wayne Valley show and winning the fan favorite prize—the Cougars will be performing at these upcoming events:
Ridge High School, Oct 24
Home Football Halftime Show, Underhill , Oct 29
NJ State Championships, Robbinsville, Oct 31You don’t want to miss the band’s scorching 2026 field show, Club Fuego—once it is gone, it’s gone!
-
SAVE THE DATE: SOMA ROCKS 2027
Saturday, February 6, 2027
The WoodlandThe annual event everyone loves to love, SOMA Rocks, will be on February 6 this year. Join The Local Heroes Band and their many talented guests for a benefit to support CHSMPA.
It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year, so come out, have a blast, and raise some funds for Music at Columbia.
Check back often for ticketing information—they sell out fast.
Cougar Marching Band Kicks Off Competitive Season with Silver, Multiple Caption Wins
The Columbia High School Cougar Marching Band took the field in competition for the first time of the 2026 season at North Brunswick Township High School’s US Bands Raider Marching Band Festival on October 3, winning big.
Beatfest Delivers a Magical Night—and its Biggest Crowd Ever
On May 28, Columbia High School's student musicians did something most adults wouldn't attempt: they planned, produced, and ran an entire music festival themselves — and packed the house doing it.
Columbia’s ‘Into The Woods’ Enchants SOMA
Columbia’s annual musical, a star-studded staging of Sondheim’s Into The Woods, got six sold-out audiences on their feet, filling the halls of Columbia with magic, mirth, a giant and a cow.
Jazz Band Takes SOPAC Stage in Finale Concert
The Columbia Jazz Band burned down the house at SOPAC on February 18, performing two sets of greats and standards for a near-sold-out crowd. It was the culmination of the ensemble’s season, which included mentoring from visiting Jazz legends.
Noteworthy Appears at Adelphi’s SingStrong Festival
Columbia High School’s own Noteworthy a cappella combo rocked the Performing Arts Center at Adelphi University as part of the SingStrong A Cappella Festival.