Music Education Changes Lives
Join CHSMPA in supporting excellence in music education in South Orange and Maplewood NJ.
Upcoming Events
-
RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP NOW
August 2026
CHSMPA memberships expire on August 31. We need as many members of the community to stay engaged and renew as members for the 2026-27 school year—your membership is more important than ever! Renew now to stay in the loop on everything music at Columbia.
Renewal is quick and easy, and all of your contributions go directly to the Music Program.
-
MARCHING BAND 2026 TOUR SEASON KICKS OFF SEPTEMBER 26
Saturday, September 26
Hanover Park High SchoolThe Cougar Marching band is proud to announce its 2026 Season tour, where it will perform its field show, Club Fuego, in competition against other schools across New Jersey. Catch the Cougars at these stops:
Hanover Park High School, Sept 26
North Brunswick High School, Oct 3
Pequannock High School, Oct 10
Wayne Valley, Oct 17
Ridge High School, Oct 24
NJ State Championships, Robbinsville, Oct 31Check out the USBands Website for information and tickets.
-
SUPPORT THE MARCHING BAND AT PORCHFEST!
Sunday, September 6th
The Marching Band will be hosting its first big fundraiser as it provides refreshment at a perennial SOMA favorite, Porchfest! Come by the band’s concessions tent to cool off as you enjoy the community’s talent, while also supporting the band.
Visit the band’s Lemonade Stand at Porch #22 (see the map) for fresh lemonade, water, or iced coffee! All proceeds go to the Marching Band.
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.
SOMA Rocks Brings Down the House, Raises Funds
The Local Heroes band and CHSMPA welcomed a star-studded roster of Broadway talent to rock a sold-out crowd and raise over $18K for CHS Music Programs.