April 2026 Newsletter

Dear Music Families and Staff,

April is a time of transition for our music program, as we shift from the close of our winter season into an exciting and event-filled spring. We hope everyone had a great spring break and is ready for an exciting stretch ahead. With performances, competitions, and special events ahead, the hard work and dedication of our students continue to shine in every performance.

We are coming off an incredible California trip, where our students experienced unforgettable moments through performances, workshops, and behind-the-scenes opportunities that truly brought music to life. It was a trip filled with lasting memories and experiences that will stay with them for years to come. We extend our sincere thanks to our teachers for their planning and leadership, our chaperones for their time and support, and our travel agent Anthony for helping make this experience possible. 

As our winter programs wrap up their seasons, we invite you to join us for our Family and Friends Show on April 7, a great opportunity to see our Indoor Percussion and Winter Guard as they prepare for the final weeks of their competition season. We also look ahead to a busy spring filled with concerts and special events across the district.

We have been actively present at all of the elementary spring concerts, and it has been incredible to see our youngest musicians take the stage and showcase their progress. Be sure to mark your calendars for The Duprees Benefit Concert on May 8, held in partnership with the Nutley Educational Foundation. Proceeds from this special evening will benefit the NHS Music Department.

Our $1,000 Amazon Gift Card Raffle is underway, and we encourage everyone to participate and help spread the word as we continue raising funds to support our programs. We will also be launching our Spring and Mother’s Day Plant and Garden Décor Sale soon as a student fundraiser, which will be the final seasonal fundraiser of the year. This is a great opportunity to build fundraising credits that can be applied toward future music-related expenses while celebrating the season.

As we head into May, we look forward to our final meeting of the year on May 11, where we will also elect our 2026–2027 officers. This will be followed by our spring concert season and the 51st Annual Music Awards Dinner, where we will celebrate our graduating seniors and recognize the achievements of our high school music students.

Thank you for your continued support of our students, teachers, and our music program. Together, we continue building on one of Nutley’s strongest success stories.

Sal Scarpelli
NMBA President

The following students auditioned and were selected to the following honors ensembles:

• NJACDA Jr. High All-State Mixed Choir
  Javier Aranda, Adelyne Astudillo Rodriguez, Sophie Bergen, Fiona Cami, Gianna Marie D'Elia, Sienna Horowitz, Penelope DelPiano, Geneva Gau, Gabriella Nason, Andrew Richards, Kylie Seborowski
  
  We wish them the best of luck as they perform with the Jr. High All-State Mixed Choir at JP Case Middle School in Flemington on Saturday, May 2.
  

Ensemble Achievements

• The NHS Concert Band received a Bronze Rating and the NHS Wind Ensemble received a Silver Rating at the NJSMA Region 1 Concert Band Festival held on March 17 at West Essex High School.
• The JHWMS Asterix Ensemble had a clinic with Helen Cha-Pyo, Principal Conductor of the NJ Youth Symphony Orchestra on March 18 at the NJMEA Middle School Orchestra Festival.

Winter Competition Scores

• NHS Winter Guard
  
  • Bridgewater-Raritan - 3/7 - 63.66 (13th)
  • WGI Bethlehem Regional - 3/21 - 73.42
• NHS Indoor Percussion Ensemble
  • WGI Toms River Regional - 3/7 - 73.25
  • Wayne Valley - 3/21 - 81.90 (4th)

• For Fundraising Chairperson contact information, please consult the notice in the BAND App or see the attached Fundraising Flyer.
• For your student’s current fundraising balance, please contact NMBA Treasurer, Teresa Bonilla at trealpebonilla2018@gmail.com.
• Need a fast fundraising rundown? View our 5-minute Screencast.

Earn credits anytime with Gertude Hawk Chocolates, RaiseRight gift cards, ShopRite/Stop & Shop gift cards, Auditorium Seat Nameplate and your personal online donation page.

April 2026

• Tuesday, April 7 - Indoor Percussion & Winter Guard "Family & Friends" Show
• Wednesday, April 8 - Radcliffe 5th & 6th Grade Concert
• Saturday, April 11 - Indoor Percussion USBands Championships - S. Brunswick
• Saturday, April 11 - Winter Guard Competition - Brick
• Tuesday, April 14 - Spring Garden 3rd & 4th Grade Concert
• Wednesday, April 15 - JHWMS Dorney Park Trip - Payment 2 Due
• Thursday, April 16 - NJSMA Region 1 Elementary Honors Orchestra Festival
• Thursday, April 16 - Radcliffe 3rd & 4th Grade Concert
• Sunday, April 19 - Winter Guard MAIN Championships - Liberty High School (PA)
• Tuesday, April 21 - NHS Marching Band Interest Meeting
• Tuesday, April 28 - Yantacaw 3rd & 4th Grade Concert
• Thursday, April 30 - Washington 3rd & 4th Grade Concert

Looking Ahead...

• Saturday, May 2 - NJACDA Jr. High All-State Choir Festival
• Thursday, May 7 - Lincoln 3rd & 4th Grade Concert
• Friday, May 8 - NEF's The Duprees Benefit Concert
• Monday, May 11 - Music Boosters General Meeting & Officer Elections
• Tuesday, May 12 - NHS Spring Choir Concert
• Tuesday, May 19 - NHS Spring Instrumental Concert
• Thursday, May 21 - 51st Annual Music Awards Dinner
• Monday, May 25 - Nutley Memorial Day Parade
• Friday, May 29 - JHWMS Dorney Park Trip
• Monday, June 1 - Elementary Instrumental Petting Zoo
• Wednesday, June 3 - JHWMS Spring Concert and Amazon Raffle Drawing

NUTLEY MUSIC BOOSTERS ASSOCIATION

PO Box 646 | Nutley, New Jersey 07110 | EIN: 20-3931464

www.nutleymusicboosters.org