Music Education Changes Lives
Join CHSMPA in supporting excellent music education in South Orange and Maplewood NJ.
Upcoming Events
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2026 MARCHING BAND OPEN HOUSE
POSTPONED - Time/Date TBA
CHS CafeteriaThe incredible directors and staff of The Pride of Columbia Marching Band is already planning a tremendous program for the Fall Season.
Interested in joining the band or color guard? Join Director Peter Bauer and current detail members at the Marching Band Open House. Also featured will be the much-anticipated reveal of the 2026 field show.
This event is open to CHS Students, SOMS and MMS 8th Graders and their Families.
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CHS JAZZ ENSEMBLE AT AL FARAH CHS BOOSTER CLASSIC
Monday, April 27, 5:00 PM
Maplewood Country ClubThe Columbia Jazz Ensemble will be performing at the cocktail party for the 27th Annual Al Farah CHS Booster Classic Golf Tournament.
Cougar Boosters is a huge supporter of music and the arts at CHS, and this amazing event is one of their biggest fundraisers of the year. You can support CHS by sponsoring, golfing, or just coming out to the Cocktail Party to hear your Jazz Ensemble bring down the house at this marquis event.
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SAVE THE DATE: BEATFEST 2026
Thursday, May 28, 4:30 PM
Ritzer FieldBeatFest, the student-run, freeform student music showcase, will return to Ritzer Field this Spring on Thursday, May 28.
Mark the date and watch this space for ticket sales, so you can experience this unique festival in our school’s own backyard and support SOMA’s talented student musicians. Here’s more information.
Tickets go on sale soon, and we’re looking for sponsors now.
Columbia High School Jazz Ensemble Performance
The Columbia High School Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Peter F. Bauer performed its annual concert on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at the South Orange Performing Arts Center. The performance included a fantastic selection of jazz standards including “Land of Make Believe", "Round Midnight” and “My Funny Valentine”. A highlight of the night was a set by “The Children of Sanchez”, a student-led combo helmed by Jackson Pellegrino, who also created the arrangements.
Photos courtesy of Julia Maloof Verderosa Photography.
Columbia High School Choir Brings Music to the Community!
On Sunday, February 9th, talented students from Columbia High School’s Tenor Bass Choir and Excelsior Choir, led by Nicholas Diaz, shared the gift of music at a special private performance for senior residents at the Newstead Apartment complex in South Orange. Their heartfelt voices and harmonies created a beautiful moment of connection and joy for the community.
Click to watch the video!
SOMA Rocks 5 Sells Out!
SOMA Rocks 5 was a rousing success! We raised more than $26,000 to support music programs at CHS.
A huge shout out to The Local Heroes, who make the music happen year after year! To our Broadway performers: you brought the house down! Thank you as well to all of our sponsors, volunteers, donors, and ticket-buyers! Thank you to CHSMPA members and the greater South Orange Maplewood community for all of your continued support!
And finally.... let's give it up for the amazing CHS acapella groups -- Noteworthy and Unaccompanied Minors. They showcased the talent, pride and passion of the performing arts at CHS. They are a reminder of why we all came together on this magical night!
Featured Image photo courtesy Julia Maloof Venderosa.