Category Archives: Music

Event Highlight: Choir Festival

On November 10th, all members of the middle and upper school choral programs took part in an at-school choral festival featuring three guest clinicians. Some of the in-progress performances are featured below. See the final performances at the choral concert … Continue reading

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“No Discussions” by Nikhil Kumra ’22, Interview with the Producer

Interview by Albert Zhou ’22. Nikhil Kumra ’22 recently released the song “NO DISCUSSIONS” with Billboard Baba and ArmstrongWW. Below is his song, along with an interview with Nikhil about the process of producing an original song. How was it … Continue reading

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“Wagon Wheel” by Parth Sarkar ’21, Mateo Zoubek ’21, Jack Cleeve ’21, and Elan Lakes ’21, a Senior Project

For their Senior Project, Parth Sarkar ’21, Mateo Zoubek ’21, Jack Cleeve ’21, and Elan Lakes ’21 put themselves to learning the guitar. For their final presentation, they played “Wagon Wheel” by Bob Dylan together. We spent a few weeks … Continue reading

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LumeNAtion and Academy Voices Now Streaming on Apple Music and Spotify

LumeNAtion, Newark Academy’s a cappella group, is now streaming on Apple Music and Spotify. NA’s top chamber choir, Academy Voices, has been streaming on Apple Music and Spotify since April. Viraj Lal, Choral Director, says, “This is a big milestone … Continue reading

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“Lean on Me” Choral Performance, Featuring NA Students, Faculty, and Alums

Recently, several current Newark Academy choral singers and alumni gave a virtual performance of “Lean on Me” in honor of Bill Withers, Lone Sailor Award Recipient and a Navy Veteran, at the Lone Sailor Honors Reception. Performers included current singers … Continue reading

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Jazz Performances by NA Student Musicians

Luca Moretti ’20, Teddy McGraw ’20, and Vikram Bala ’20 perform “Billie’s Bounce” and “Cottontail.”

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Student Reviews of Summer Art Programs

Interviews and write-up by Jamie Paradis ’20. Newark Academy students often spend their summers honing their creative craft in programs outside of NA. Here, students Ben Chaddha, Lori Hashasian, Jamie Paradis, Kaitlin Weiss, and Silvy Zhou reflect on their experiences … Continue reading

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“It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing”: Chameleon at Essentially Ellington 2019

In 2019 the Newark Academy Jazz Program, directed by Julius Tolentino, performed for its 5th time at the prestigious Essentially Ellington Festival. This excerpt, “It Don’t Mean a Thing (if it ain’t got that Swing),” features vocalist Sammi Powell ’19. … Continue reading

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Chameleon Earns Honors at 2019 Essentially Ellington Competition

Led by Newark Academy Jazz Director and saxophonist Julius Tolentino, Chameleon earned “Outstanding Rhythm Section” at the 24th Annual Essentially Ellington Competition on May 11, 2019. In addition, several NA musicians earned individual recognition: Outstanding Bass: Vikram Bala ’20, Honorable … Continue reading

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Chameleon Earns 2nd Place in 2018 Essentially Ellington Competition

Newark Academy’s Jazz Band “Chameleon” directed by Julius Tolentino won 2nd Place at the 23rd Annual 2018 Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival, which took place at Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center. … Continue reading

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Global Speaker Daryl Davis

Newark Academy’s Global Speaker Series hosted R&B/blues musician, activist, author, actor and bandleader Daryl Davis. An acclaimed boogie-woogie pianist, Davis has played with musicians Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, B. B. King, Bruce Hornsby, as well as Bill Clinton. In … Continue reading

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LumeNAtion Places 3rd at International Acapella Competition

Newark Academy’s LumeNAtion finished in 3rd place at the International Championship of High School Acapella (ICHSA) Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinal on January 25, 2019. Choral Director Viraj Lal said, “These 17 students poured their hearts out on the stage and I am beyond … Continue reading

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Academy Voices and Women’s Choir Performances

The Newark Academy choral groups “Academy Voices” and “The Women’s Choir” were invited to perform at the Maplewood Men’s Glee Club concert Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018. Choral Director Viraj Lal described it as “a wonderful collaboration with this Community Choir.” … Continue reading

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Cosimo Fabrizio Named Davidson Fellow

Cosimo Fabrizio ’18 was named a 2018 Davidson Fellow for his Jazz Guitar project titled, “21st Century Jazz Music – The Search for Authenticity.” He was awarded a $25,ooo scholarship. Cosimo writes: “Throughout my experiences growing up, my understanding of … Continue reading

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Academy Voices and Women’s Choir

Enjoy this wonderful sampling from the 2017-2018 repertoires of Newark Academy’s select chorale ensembles Academy Voices and the Women’s Choir, including a solo by Christine Pan ’18, directed by Choral Director Viraj Lal. Svatba Arr. Hristo Todorov Women’s Choir Lux … Continue reading

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LumeNAtion A cappella International Championship

Directed by Newark Academy Choral Director Viraj Lal, LumeNAtion competed in the International Championship of HS A cappella (ICHSA) for their 3rd time last year. They placed 1st place at their Quarterfinal and took 4th place at the Mid-Atlantic Semifinal … Continue reading

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Violinist Rebecca Slater Earns Governor’s Award

Violinist Rebecca Slater ’18  earned a 2018 Governor’s Award in Arts Education to be presented at an award ceremony and performance at the Patriots Theatre at the War Memorial in Trenton on May 22, 2018. Rebecca is being recognized for … Continue reading

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Claire Dempsey and Alexis Romay Duet

I Don’t Need a Roof “We educators like to encourage our students to step out of their comfort zone. This, like most things in life, is something that is easier said than done. I believe that one can only inspire … Continue reading

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Bala, McGraw, Moretti and Tolentino Jazz Quartet

Enjoy this fabulous rendition of “Seven Steps to Heaven” by Miles Davis and Victor Feldman performed by a jazz quartet of Vikram Bala ’20 on bass, Teddy McGraw ’20 on drums, Luca Moretti ’20 on piano, and  Newark Academy Jazz … Continue reading

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Dance Concert Fall 2017

2017 Fall Dance Concert Four years ago, Mr. Tolentino and I embarked on our first attempt to have an entire dance concert played by Chameleon, Newark Academy’s award winning jazz band. We found it so rewarding professionally to challenge each … Continue reading

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Reid Christmann Grammy Band Performance

Jazz trombonist and Chameleon member Reid Christmann ’18 performed as part of the 2017 GRAMMY Big Band, an 18-piece big band comprised of some of the most talented high school jazz musicians in the country. The GRAMMY Foundation paid all expenses for Reid’s trip to Los … Continue reading

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Violinist Rebecca Slater Wins Honors

Violinist Rebecca Slater ’18  won an audition to Concertmaster in the All Eastern Orchestra. With the highest score among musicians from 11 states, she was First Chair when performing with this elite Orchestra in April in Atlantic City. Previously she … Continue reading

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WAM Montage

Newark Academy’s Writing, Art & Music blog, affectionately known as WAM, is a place for students, alumni, teachers, staff and visiting artists to share creative work  with the goal of supporting and encouraging artistic pursuits, large and small. We feature … Continue reading

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Women’s Choir and Original Dance Performance

The Newark Academy Women’s Choir, directed by Viraj Lal, performed “Barso Re” composed by A.R. Rahman, arr. by Ethan Sperry, at the Spring Choral Concert on May 24th, 2017. The accompanying dance, directed by Yvette Luxenberg, was choreographed by Anisha Mittal … Continue reading

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Musician Coleman Hughes

Alumnus Coleman Hughes ’14, all around musician, jazz trombonist, and former member of the Newark Academy Jazz Band Chameleon, has earned many accolades. He was a three-time participant in the GRAMMY Jazz Ensemble and the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, … Continue reading

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Guitar Jam with Cosimo Fabrizio & Alexis Romay

Cosimo Fabrizio ’18 and faculty member Alexis Romay enjoyed an impromptu jam session outside Kaltenbacher Hall. A member of Chameleon, Cosimo received an Outstanding Soloist Award at the 2017 Charles Mingus High School Competition and an Outstanding Guitar Award at … Continue reading

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Chameleon Wins Honors at 2017 Essentially Ellington Jazz Competition

Newark Academy’s Jazz Band “Chameleon” directed by Julius Tolentino won 4th Place/Honorable Mention at the 22nd Annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival, which took place at Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center. … Continue reading

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Winter Orchestra Concert 2017

The Newark Academy Winter Orchestra Concert, directed by Amy Larkey-Emelianoff, took place on Thursday, January 12, 2017 in the Dining Room and included Artist-in-Residence Amadi Azikiwe. Highlights were provided by senior soloists Matthew Melillo and Eric Jacobson. Enjoy listening to this … Continue reading

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Artist-in-Residence Amadi Azikiwe

The Newark Academy Arts Department hosted Amadi Azikiwe, violist, violinist and conductor, from January 9-12, 2017 as part of the annual Artist-in-Residence Program. Mr. Azikiwe shared his expertise in a morning meeting performance and encouraged students to explore their creativity … Continue reading

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Concert Choir Participates in “A Voice 4 Peace”

A Voice 4 Peace “Newark Academy’s Concert Choir participated in the #AVoice4Peace global initiative to connect choirs from around the world to sing ‘Ukuthula,’ a South African peace hymn for the 2016 United Nations International Day of Peace. We are … Continue reading

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Blues Lyrics and Video Performance by Steve Miller

Steve Miller of the NA Maintenance Department asks readers to bear in mind that lyrics are meant to be experienced in a performance, not read from a page. In the same way that a stage performance might be riveting in … Continue reading

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Mooney ’16, Hawkins ’15, McDonnell ’15 & Viraj Lal Perform Ed Sheeran’s “A Team”

Erin Mooney ’16, Kalvary Hawkins ’15, Mark McDonnell ’15, and NA Choral Director Viraj Lal performed an acoustic cover of Ed Sheeran’s “A Team” at Newark Academy’s Pep Rally on October 24, 2014.  To listen to this amazing performance, click … Continue reading

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Violin Solo by Rebecca Slater

Violinist Rebecca Slater ’18 won an audition to concertmaster in the All Eastern Orchestra. With the highest score among musicians from 11 states, she was First Chair when performing with this elite Orchestra in April in Atlantic City. Previously she … Continue reading

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Music by Bob Mallalieu and Wayfarers & Company

Hawkes Library Director Bob Mallalieu, along with Norm Mallalieu, Amanda Parker, Carol Walker and John James, comprise Wayfarers & Company. This exciting group performs gospel music and old time songs on traditional instruments such as guitars, hammered and lap dulcimers, … Continue reading

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Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine” performed by OSG

 “Mark McDonnell ’15 and I formed OSG in our  freshmen year. The other members are Aaron Levy ’16 and Patrick Peters ’15. Julia Tarnow ’17 joined us as a guest performer for this recent morning meeting performance of ‘Sweet Child … Continue reading

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