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.
Beatfest, a production of the Music Industry Club & the Music Studio Club, featured more than 40 student performers across 15 acts, spanning hip-hop, folk, rock, blues and beyond. But the real story wasn't only on stage. From the lineup to the sound to the run-of-show, this was a student-led production start to finish—the kind of hands-on, real-world experience that the Music Technology program is built to create. Our students didn't just perform; they ran the show.
The festival’s fourth run, this year’s Beatfest was the biggest ever in every way: the most acts, the biggest audience, the most tickets sold, and the most funds raised.
The wider community noticed. Beatfest landed on the front page of the Essex News Daily, a well-earned spotlight on what these young artists are capable of when they're given the stage and the trust to own it.
None of it happens without support. Thank you to Ms. Vite and the Music Technology program, to the student organizers and performers who poured weeks into this, and to the CHSMPA families and volunteers who showed up — selling tickets, running concessions, and filling the seats. CHSMPA proudly supports more than 600 music students across chorus, band, orchestra, and music technology, and nights like Beatfest are exactly why.
To everyone who came out: thank you. To the students who made it: take a bow. We can't wait for next year.
All images courtesy Henry Vogelmann, CHS Class of 2027. Many thanks to Henry for shooting the show and for the use of his outstanding photography.
