Rutgers Prep Musicians Chosen For Regional Orchestras
On Saturday, January 28th, students from school districts all over the Central New Jersey region auditioned for entry into the highly competitive Intermediate Regional orchestra, as organized by the Central Jersey Music Educators Association. The audition is vigorous and consisted of two and three octave scales, a prepared solo, and a challenging sight-reading excerpt. Students played for a blind panel of three judges, and scores were given by each judge.
Three students from Rutgers Preparatory School auditioned on Saturday: from Somerset, sixth grade violist Peter Bartalis; from Summit, seventh grade violist Annalise Nassani; and from Colonia, eighth grade violinist Mauranda Men. All three were granted entry. Peter and Mauranda will be playing in the Symphonic Orchestra, and Annalise will be playing in the String Orchestra.
Lyssandra Walsh, their orchestra director at Rutgers Prep said, “I am so proud of the hard work all three students put into preparing for the audition, and I was literally jumping up and down with excitement on Saturday evening when the results were posted! I think it will be a wonderful experience for them to play with other talented musicians from the region.” Of making it into the Symphonic Orchestra, Peter Bartalis said, “It is a great honor. I didn’t think I would make it in to begin with, so I feel really good, but I know I have a lot of work ahead of me.”
The Regional Intermediate Symphonic Orchestra will perform on Sunday March 4th at 3pm at the Monroe Township Middle School, and the Regional Intermediate String Orchestra will perform on Sunday March 11th at 3pm at the Monroe Township Middle School. Tickets will be sold at the door.