(Union, NJ – May 4th, 2015) The Union High School Performing Arts Company hit the road this past week to participate in Festival Disney; a national competition hosted by the Walt Disney Corporation. The UHSPAC traveled to Orlando, Florida with over 80 students who participated in various ensembles including instrumental, color guard and show choir. Participating in these activities helps enrich the lives of students through music and performance. Festival Disney is the perfect avenue for students to perform in some of the nation’s most prestigious venues as well as working with professionals in various performing fields, with the ability to be recognized for their countless hours of hard work.
This year the groups featured were the UHS Jazz Ensemble and UHS Symphonic Band under the direction of Laura Muller; the UHS Indoor Color Guard under the direction of PJ Tankard; and the UHS Show Choir under the direction of Melissa Abbate, James Moser and Choreographer Jennifer Williams. The UHSPAC walked away with superior ratings in several categories as well as Overall Silver for the UHS Jazz Ensemble and Overall Gold for the UHS Show Choir. UHS Sophomore, TJ Fuller was recognized for his work on the drums in the Jazz Ensemble.
Here is a full list of their accomplishments:
UHS Symphonic Band – Good Rating
UHS Indoor Guard – Superior Rating
UHS Jazz Band – Superior Rating – Silver (Overall High School Jazz Band)
UHS Show Choir – Superior Rating – Gold (Overall High School Specialty Choir)
Soloist Award – TJ Fuller (Jazz Band Drummer)
The UHS Music Department continues to prove why they are listed as one of the top 100 Music Education (as voted by the NAMM Foundation) programs in the nation. Their Choirs, Instrumental Ensembles, and Color Guard continue to gain national recognition and are at the forefront of arts education.
Submitted by Jennifer Williams
