np music department and music how to support your

NP Music Department and Music Boosters Newsletter - 2019

INSIDE:● Fun facts and quotes from our music and performing arts staff● Faculty Recital Information - Thursday, October 24 at 7:00 PM● How to support your performing arts program through Music

Boosters

Read on!

Mr. Don BakerSalt Brook School - Bands and Recorders

HOMETOWN: Landing NJ

KIDS: PJ. He’ll be 2 in November.

HOBBIES: Auto Racing; Fixing things that break during auto racing.

A PLACE YOU’VE NEVER BEEN BEFORE, BUT WOULD LIKE TO VISIT: California, or Spa Francorchamps, or the Nurburgring Nordschleife

CAN YOU DO ANY MAGIC TRICKS?: Yes. It’s called Beginners Night!

FAVORITES:

● COLOR: Blue

● FOOD: Burger and Fries

● VEGETABLE: People like vegetables? My food

eats vegetables.

● ICE CREAM: Vanilla

● RESTAURANT: Italian

● MOVIE: Most any movie where stuff blows up

● VEHICLE: Vw GTI, Porsche 944 Turbo, John Deere

4210, but I could really use a Porsche GT3. It

doesn’t have to be new, it could be a 2004.

● SPORT: Marching Band

● FAVORITE QUOTE: Excuses lead to failure.

WHAT WORDS OF WISDOM DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUR STUDENTS?

Work carefully step by step. Don’t look for a shortcut, follow the directions.

SHARE A FOND MEMORY FROM YOUR TIME IN NEW PROVIDENCE.

Every start of Marching Band Season and every end of Marching Band Season. Seeing the incredible growth of the students not just from 3rd to 6th grade but all the way to high school. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO AT NP THIS YEAR?

Turning beginning band into something people would listen to if given a choice.

Ms. Pamela CrockettSalt Brook School - Vocal Music

HOMETOWN: Hastings-on-Hudson, NY

NICKNAME: Sprockett

KIDS: 600 NP kids….

PET: A really wacky Catdog named Lily

HOBBIES: Running and baking

PLACES YOU’D LIKE TO VISIT: Alaska or Africa (Basically anywhere I can have close encounters with wildlife)

CAN YOU DO ANY MAGIC TRICKS?: I can make a whole bag of animal crackers disappear in a single day.

FAVORITES:

● COLOR: Blue

● FOOD: Sushi

● VEGETABLE: Mushrooms

● MOVIE: Monty Python and the Holy Grail

● TV SHOW: Watching Gilmore Girls in

syndication

● COMPOSER: Frederic Chopin

● BROADWAY MUSICAL: Into the Woods

● ROCK BAND: Lake Street Dive

● SONG: “September” by Earth Wind and Fire

● TRAVEL DESTINATION: Cape Cod

● SPORTS TEAM: NY Rangers


Celebrate and enjoy the smaller successes you achieve throughout the year as you make your way to your long term goals. A FOND MEMORY FROM YOUR TIME IN NEW PROVIDENCE:

A couple of years ago we did a flash sing when the high school jazz groups came to visit in December. All of the Salt Brook students secretly learned the song “Jingle Bell Rock” and a dance that went along with it. We surprised the teachers to help spread some cheer during one of the craziest times of year. It really brought such joy to them and was so much fun for all of us.

FACULTY RECITALFeaturing Music staff and Guests

DATE: Thursday, October 24, 2019TIME: 7:00 PMLOCATION: New Providence HS/MS AuditoriumCOST: $5.00 per ticket; proceeds go to Music Boosters Teacher Wish Lists

Bring your friends!

Mr. Craig DukeMiddle School and High School - Drama

HOMETOWN: Tustin, CA (basically anywhere near the beach in Orange County)

NICKNAME: “Magic” (bestowed by my father-in-law for my ability to change light bulbs or program his phone.)

KIDS: Jessica-30, Spencer-25, Natalie-13, (Grandkids: Charlie Mae-3 & Mateo-4 months.)

PETS: April (a very affectionate Yorkie) & Mitty (our much less affectionate cat)

HOBBIES: Backpacking, kayaking, and rock climbing when not in theatre mode.

PLACES YOU’D LIKE TO VISIT: Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti

CAN YOU DO ANY MAGIC TRICKS?: Produce a HS musical on time and under budget?!

FAVORITES:

● FOOD: Porterhouse and lobster

● RESTAURANT: 90 Acres-NJ, Flora Farms-Cabo,

Skinny Legs-St. John

● BROADWAY MUSICALS: Matilda, Les Miz, West

Side Story

● PLAY: Metamorphoses, The Laramie Project, Our

Town

● ROCK BAND: U2

● TRAVEL DESTINATIONS: a Greek island, a

Parisian bistro, a quiet lake at sunset.

● VEHICLE: I love my Dodge Ram!

WHAT WORDS OF WISDOM DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUR STUDENTS? From Oscar Wilde, “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.” WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO AT NP THIS YEAR? I always look forward to seeing the amazing transformation in our students from auditions to final performance. It literally gives me chills!

Ms. Catherine FlynnMiddle School and Allen W. Roberts - Vocal Music

HOMETOWN: Skippack, PA

NICKNAME: Cath

KIDS: Your kids are my kids.

PETS: 2 spoiled cats. They are rescues. They rescued me;-)

HOBBIES: Travel

A PLACE YOU’VE NEVER BEEN BEFORE, BUT WOULD LIKE TO VISIT: Istanbul

FAVORITES:

● ICE CREAM: Butter Pecan

● RESTAURANT: Bennie’s, Englewood, NJ

● TRAVEL DESTINATION: I can’t pick one. I’d

have to say that my favorite destination is the

one where I’m currently visiting.

● VEHICLE: 1992 Mazda Miata

● SPORTS TEAM: Eagles

● FAVORITE QUOTE: Whether you think you

can, or think you can’t, you’re right.


Feel the fear and do it anyway.

Music Boosters purchasing goals 2020 ALLEN W. ROBERTS SCHOOL

● Bookshelf for Orchestra storage ● Viola shoulder rest ● Violin shoulder rest ● Teaching violin ● Teaching viola ● Orff Bass Bars ● Orff Soprano Xylophone ● Bass Clarinet ● Visiting conductors fund

Music Boosters purchasing goals 2020 SALT BROOK SCHOOL

● Foam square flooring for General Music Room ● Viola shoulder rest ● Violin shoulder rest ● Teaching violin ● Teaching cello ● Two replacement choral risers ● Orff Bass Xylophone ● Visiting conductors fund

Mr. Kenneth HessAllen W. Roberts School - Vocal Music

HOMETOWN: Lititz, PA

NICKNAME: Kenny Lou

PET: Two cats - a seal-point Himalayan named Dusty and a seal-lynx-point Himalayan named Asia

A PLACE YOU’D LIKE TO VISIT: Alaska, Scandinavia, New Zealand

CAN YOU DO ANY MAGIC TRICKS?: Sadly, no.

FAVORITES:

● COLOR: Green

● FOOD: Thai and Indian

● ICE CREAM: Anything with coconut and/or chocolate

● MOVIE: Too many. For starters: Bringing Up Baby,

What’s Up Doc?, The Piano, A Christmas Story, Best In

Show...

● TV SHOW: Again, many: Arrested Development, The

Great British Baking Show, The Unbreakable Kimmy

Schmidt, Stranger Things, A.P. Bio, Fleabag…

● COMPOSER: Claude Debussy

● BROADWAY MUSICAL: Sweeney Todd

● POP BAND: Eurythmics (I am an 80s kid, after all.)

● VEHICLE: I love my Subaru Forester.

● FAVORITE QUOTE: “There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.” – Albert Schweitzer


When learning something new, whether it’s music or not, focus and give it your best effort. Even if it’s “hard”, give it all you’ve got. You will surprise yourself!

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO AT NP THIS YEAR? I’m looking forward to meeting my new students and getting to know my returning students better. Of course, I’m excited about all the upcoming concerts. Finally, I’m looking forward to playing piano for “Little Shop of Horrors” – I played it in college and I can’t wait to play it again.

Ms. Susan KirklandHigh School - Vocal Music

HOMETOWN: Dillsburg, PA

NICKNAME: Kirk

A PLACE YOU’D LIKE TO VISIT: Iceland

FAVORITES:

● COLOR: The deep blue that appears in the sky

just before sunset

● ICE CREAM: Black Raspberry

● RESTAURANT: Le Bernardin - NYC

● MOVIE: Cinema Paradiso

● TV SHOW: Star Trek: TNG

● COMPOSER: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

● BROADWAY MUSICAL: The King And I

● PLAY: Twelfth Night

● POP BAND: Prince, Stevie Wonder

● SONG: “Oh What a Beautiful Morning” as sung by

Ray Charles

● VEHICLE: 1957 Chevy BelAir Convertible in Tropical

Turquoise

● FAVORITE QUOTE: “Never go with a hippie to a

second location.” - Jack Donaghy, 30 Rock


1) Be kind. 2) You will improve with regular practice.3) Don’t let your fears rule.4) Take voice class!!

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO AT NP THIS YEAR?

I am looking forward to our faculty recital. I am really so proud of my colleagues. Not only are they skilled and dedicated teaching professionals, but they are also exceptional musicians and performing artists. I love sharing the stage with them!

This year, I am planning to work with our student singers to create additional community outreach opportunities. I look forward to seeing how this will unfold for all participants.

Mr. Michael NiedziejkoHigh School - Bands and Music Theory

HOMETOWN: Wilmington, DE

NICKNAME: Jake

KIDS (4): Maria, Michael, Marykate and Max

PETS: Lhasa Poo named Kuma and a Yorkshire Terrier named Ginny

HOBBIES: Following Philly Sports, Wawa

A PLACE YOU’VE NEVER BEEN BEFORE, BUT WOULD LIKE TO VISIT:

Hawaii

CAN YOU DO ANY MAGIC TRICKS?: No

FAVORITES:

● COLOR: Blue

● FOOD: Wawa

● VEGETABLE: Asparagus

● ICE CREAM: Coffee

● RESTAURANT: Ruth’s Chris Steak House

● MOVIE: Dead Poets Society

● TV SHOW: Big Bang Theory

● COMPOSER: Ludwig van Beethoven

● BROADWAY MUSICAL: Dear Evan Hansen

● PLAY: Wild Oats

● POP MUSIC ARTIST: Billy Joel

● SONG: “Friends” by Michael W. Smith

● TRAVEL DESTINATION: DISNEY!

● VEHICLE: I drive a GMC Acadia; I really like BMW X5 but will

never own one.

● SPORT: Football, Baseball, Hockey, Basketball

● SPORTS TEAM: Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Phillies,

Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia 76ers

● FAVORITE QUOTE: You never get a second chance at a first

impression.

● OTHER: Wawa


Another year with the tremendous staff, administration, students and families in this community!


Everyone is important, All the time. Fun may be found in being really good at something. Being really good at something takes Hard Work, so in essence, Hard Work is Fun! Think of others before thinking of yourself. Try to help someone every day. Pride and Class ALL Day, EVERY Day!


Band Awards last November, 2018, finding out an alumni Facebook page of Band Members was created. In connecting these individuals they decided to celebrate my 25 years in New Providence, by sending my wife and I to Disney to enjoy a trip to Disney as vacation instead of work.

Mr. Egil RostadAllen W. Roberts and Salt Brook Schools - Strings

HOMETOWN: Manhattan

KIDS: Suki

HOBBIES: Yoga, making things with my hands, “reading” audio books while going for walks

A PLACE YOU’VE NEVER BEEN BEFORE, BUT WOULD LIKE TO VISIT: Himalayas

CAN YOU DO ANY MAGIC TRICKS?: Sadly, no

FAVORITES:

● COLOR: Coral

● VEGETABLE: Ginger

● ICE CREAM: Rum raisin

● BROADWAY MUSICAL: Wicked

● TRAVEL DESTINATION: Italy


Don’t be in a hurry to get to everything quickly. Practice music so you can digest it well. You’ll go towards mastery quickly on a slow road, it’s a paradox.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO AT NP THIS YEAR? Getting to know all the wonderful people in this community!

Mr. Benjamin RubensMiddle School and High School - Strings

HOMETOWN: West Orange, NJ

PETS: None, but love dogs

HOBBIES: Studying Aesthetic Realism - an exciting educational philosophy that has helped me so much, exercising, watching Youtube

A PLACE YOU’VE NEVER BEEN BEFORE, BUT WOULD LIKE TO VISIT: Prague, Czech Republic

CAN YOU DO ANY MAGIC TRICKS?: I WISH!

FAVORITES:

● COLOR: Teal/Turquoise

● FOOD: Grilled Chicken

● VEGETABLE: Broccoli

● ICE CREAM: Cotton Candy!

● RESTAURANT: State Street Diner and Grill in Bloomfield, NJ

● TV SHOW: The Sopranos

● COMPOSER: John Williams

● BROADWAY MUSICAL: Wicked

● ROCK AND ROLL ARTIST: Nathan East--bassist for Eric Clapton, Whitney Houston and many others

● TRAVEL DESTINATION: Emilia Romagna Region of Italy

● SPORT: Soccer

● FAVORITE QUOTE: “All beauty is a making one of opposites and the making one of opposites is what we are going after in ourselves.” Eli Siegel

WHAT WORDS OF WISDOM DO YOU HAVE FOR YOURSTUDENTS?

Find activities and ways of thinking that have you RESPECT YOURSELF and keep giving those a workout every day. Think: What is your purpose in doing this? Is it a beautiful purpose or one that you’re not going to feel proud of after? Music says: If you respect what’s not yourself, you get pleasure in a deep, rich, moving, immeasurably powerful way. And is that whatwe’re looking for each day?


I am greatly looking forward to connecting with the students and staff and cultivating positive growth musically and personally for all involved in the orchestra program. Studying how music is composed and doing our best to be FAIR to the music at hand is an enormous way to gain self respect and create something as a whole that’s much bigger than any one of us is individually.

Music Boosters purchasing goals 2020 NEW PROVIDENCE MIDDLE SCHOOL

● Set of Ensemble Development Books ● Band Room Bookshelf● Zildjian K Mastersound Hi-Hats 14 inch ● Pearl Eliminator Redline Hi-Hat Stand Standard ● Zildjian A Custom Crash Cymbals ● Visiting conductors fund

Music Boosters purchasing goals 2020 NEW PROVIDENCE HIGH SCHOOL

● Portable Sound System ● 3 iOS-compatible Stereo Microphones ● Wall Plaques for Annual Awards ● Musica Digital Piano Castors for digital piano in chorus room ● Room plates for music wing ● Air purifier for the voice room ● Wire Shelving for concert attire storage ● 3 cellos ● Cello and bass humidifiers ● Shelving for the Strings Room● Display case for Strings Room ● Visiting conductors fund

Mrs. Jennifer Starr-TalsmatSalt Brook and Allen W. Roberts Schools - Vocal Music

HOMETOWN: Basking Ridge, NJ

NICKNAME: Jen

KIDS: Gabriel (6) and Junie (3)

PETS: Sonja, our lovable Great Dane

A PLACE YOU’VE NEVER BEEN BEFORE, BUT WOULD LIKE TO VISIT: The Greek Isles

CAN YOU DO ANY MAGIC TRICKS?: Only that thing where one pretends to pull one’s finger off at the knuckle.

FAVORITES:

● FOOD: Indian

● VEGETABLE: Brussel Sprouts

● ICE CREAM: Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia

● COMPOSER: Claude Debussy

● BROADWAY MUSICAL: West Side Story

● ROCK AND ROLL ARTISTS: Pink, Black Sabbath,

Queen, Pink Floyd

● SONG: “You Taught My Heart to Sing” - Mc Coy

Tyner/ Sammy Cahn

● VEHICLE: I used to have a VW Beetle, then a mini

Cooper, now I have huge Mom car - VW ATLAS

● FAVORITE QUOTE: “If I were the moon, I’d be cool. If

I were a rule, I would bend.”- Roger Waters

● OTHER: My husband and I own a restaurant, bar

and live music venue in the city of Orange called

“Hat City Kitchen”.


Everyone has a voice. Everyone can play. Music is about expression. Have fun and enjoy!


I had a non-verbal student who spoke in my class. It was a huge breakthrough.


I’m excited to have a student teacher! Sarah Morrow will be with Mr. Hess and me until December.

Mr. Stephen VoelkerMiddle School - Bands and Music Mods

HOMETOWN: Fanwood, NJ

KIDS: None

HOBBIES: Working on my new house that my wife

and I just bought!

FAVORITES:

● COLOR: Blue

● FOOD: Chicken Parm

● ROCK OR POP MUSIC ARTIST: Dave

Matthews Band, Stevie Wonder

● SPORT: Baseball

● SPORTS TEAM: NY Yankees


Excellence does not come without hard work. I challenge you to really work hard, and have a great time making music every day!


Hearing the progress of our bands as the year progresses! We’re already off to a great start!

Mrs. Celeste ZazzaliAllen W. Roberts School - Bands and Recorders

HOMETOWN: Bridgewater, NJ

KIDS: Annarose

PETS: Mocha (cairn terrier) and Coda (lab mix)

HOBBIES: Running, Meditation

FAVORITES:

● COLOR: Purple

● ICE CREAM: Vanilla and Chocolate twist with

rainbow sprinkles

● TV SHOW: Friends

● SPORT: Marathon running


When things get frustrating, take a little break and come back to it again with a fresh perspective. When you find yourself making the same mistake over and over again, you might think that if you keep trying that you’ll eventually get it. High levels of frustration also cause high levels of tension, and to make progress it’s better to be relaxed. You can take a break by playing through some easy music that you’ve already mastered, or walk away for a few minutes and do a different activity altogether. You can do this! Sometimes you just need a change of scenery.


When the new music classrooms opened up in AWR, we were so excited to finally have our own dedicated space for band and orchestra. The ceiling tiles looked different than anything I had ever seen before, so I asked what the purpose of pyramid-like design was. I was told that there was an acoustical benefit and that the sound would disperse like a diffuser. When the Beginner Band had their first rehearsal in the room, I understood immediately. The sound was so clear! I could hear each of the different sections rather than a big jumble like I was used to hearing in the cafeteria.

How can you support your performing arts students through Music Boosters?

● Join online! Npmusicboosters.org● Volunteer ● Become an officer● Help out at the Ice Cream Social - March 25● Attend and cheer on our kids at all their performing arts events

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

http://npmusicboosters.org

NEW PROVIDENCE MUSIC BOOSTERS2019-2020 OFFICERS

Treasurer: Natalie McPolandSecretary: Katie LippmanDepartment Head/Faculty Liaison: Kenneth Hess

np music department and music how to support your

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