Music Education Changes Lives
Join CHSMPA in supporting excellent music education in South Orange and Maplewood NJ.
Upcoming Events
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BAND CAMP KICKS OFF
Monday, August 10
While for many, Summer is a quiet, restful time, for the Cougar Marching Band, it is GO TIME. The Band kicks off its two-week intensive clinic at CHS on August 10, where the students will nail down every note and step of their 2026 Field Show.
If you know a band or color guard kid (or staffer), you know that August is a ton of hard work, but when some amazing memories are made.
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MARCHING BAND PARENTS OPEN MEETING
Tuesday, August 18, 7PM
CHS CafeteriaCHSMPA’s Band VPs Missy Wahlers and Laura Wood, Color Guard VP Ellen Lunenfeld, and Director of Bands Peter Bauer will be hosting a general information session for parents of Marching Band and Color Guard members.
They’ll also be describing ways parents can get involved as volunteers—it takes a village and parents are a key part of it!
Come and hear about what the season looks like and how to get involved.
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COUGAR BAND TO PREMIERE 2026 FIELD SHOW
Friday, August 28,
Underhill StadiumThe Cougar Marching band is proud to announce it will premiere its 2026 field show, Club Fuego, at the Columbia High School Home Opener Football Game. More details to follow.
The Prom is a Smashing Success!
Congratulations to the cast, crew and of course, the musicians in the pit!
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!