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Join CHSMPA in supporting excellent music education in South Orange and Maplewood NJ.

Upcoming Events

  • 2026 MARCHING BAND OPEN HOUSE

    April 7th, 6:00-8:00pm
    CHS Cafeteria

    The 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.

  • CHS JAZZ ENSEMBLE AT AL FARAH CHS BOOSTER CLASSIC

    Monday, April 27, 5:00 PM
    Maplewood Country Club

    The 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.

    Get Tickets or Sponsor

  • SAVE THE DATE: BEATFEST 2026

    Thursday, May 28
    Ritzer Field

    BeatFest, 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.

    Registration for auditions is now open! (Students Only!)

NJSMA
Freyja Balmer Freyja Balmer

NJSMA

The CHS bands participated in the NJSMA Region High School Concert Band Festival on Wednesday, March 19th,
at Hanover Park High School.

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Columbia High School Jazz Ensemble Performance
Freyja Balmer Freyja Balmer

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.

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