Demarest, NJ: It’s Music in Our Schools Month® at the Academy of the Holy Angels! AHA’s gifted student musicians started their serendipitous serenades on March 2, and will continue their random acts of music through the final day of the month.
Pop-up performances began with the AHA Handbell Choir’s traditional MIOSM “ringing in” ceremony. Morning Musical Moments, lunchtime concerts, and unexpected events followed.
To date, MIOSM performances have included Erin Choi on the gayageum, a hoedown featuring the AHA Select Strings ensemble, and violin and cello duos by Faith Youn and Cecilia Yun. Valeria Gonzalez and Nora Jacobi entertained in the Student Commons, singing “I’m Holding Out for a Hero.”
Catherine Callahan displayed her talent as a classical guitarist, and AHA Concertmaster Samantha Shah played gypsy melodies on her violin.
“There will be music trivia and daily Music Fun Facts along with an AHA Musician of the Day feature, and more to raise awareness of our music program within our school community on a daily basis,” AHA Instrumental Music Director Mariann Annecchino noted.
Annecchino and AHA Choral Director Lisa Marciano welcome musically inclined Angels to join in these March interludes. Students are also invited to share and develop their musical gifts through Vocal Ensemble (a select, a cappella group), the Academy Concert Choir, the Academy Orchestra, AHA Jazz Ensemble, and the AHA Handbell Choir.
AHA’s student musicians continually distinguish themselves in regional, national, and international competitions and honors performances.
In addition, several Angels have performed at world-renowned New York City venues, including Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall. In February 2020, violinist Faith Youn and cellists Cecilia Yun and Anna Jang represented Holy Angels at the New Jersey State Music Educators Association’s Honors Orchestra.
Flutists Yewon Choi and Celine Hong played for the NJSMA Honors Intermediate Band and the All-State High School Honors Band, respectively.
AHA vocalist Juliana Dominguez has sung with the acclaimed Young People’s Chorus of New York City, and the entire AHA Concert Choir has been invited to perform at Lincoln Center with selected choral groups from across the country.
Music Our Schools Month® is promoted by the National Association for Music Education and highlights the importance of a high-quality music education.
Now an annual event, Music in Our Schools Month® was launched on March 14, 1973 under the sponsorship of the New York State School Music Association.
A dozen years later, the celebration had become a month-long observance.