Music Education Changes Lives
Join CHSMPA in supporting excellence in music education in South Orange and Maplewood NJ.
Upcoming Events
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RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP NOW
October 2026
CHSMPA memberships expired 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 support music at Columbia.
Renewal is quick and easy, and all membership fees directly fund the Music Program support CHSMPA provides to CHS music directors.
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CATCH THE COUGAR MARCHING BAND PERFORMING ALL MONTH ACROSS NEW JERSEY
The Cougar Marching Band kicked off its 2026 Season tour at North Brunswick Twp High School on Oct 3, with a scorching, award-winning performance. You don’t want to miss the band’s field show, Club Fuego, so catch it at these upcoming events:North Brunswick High School, Oct 3
Pequannock High School, Oct 10
CHS Home Game at Underhill (Senior Night), Oct 16
Wayne Valley, Oct 17
Ridge High School, Oct 24
Hanover Park High School (Rescheduled), Oct 25
NJ State Championships, Robbinsville, Oct 31 -
MARCHING BAND CELEBRATES ITS SENIORS
Friday, October 16, 2026, 7PM
Underhill StadiumThe CHS community will celebrate the seniors in the band and color guard at Senior Night on October 16. The community will honor the band’s Class of 2027, some of whom have performed with the band for 5 years, at the beginning of halftime.
Come out and support the seniors! Let’s give these accomplished performers the love and support they’ve earned in service to SOMA!
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!