Two Montville Township High School musicians were selected to perform with North Jersey School Music Association Region I Orchestra and Band.

Freshman Ann Cao, Violin, will play with the NJSMA Region I Orchestra. Cao Ranked 5th out of 135 violins who auditioned, and will be performing in the First Violin section. 

Sophomore Brian Lee, Clarinet, will play with the NJSMA Region I Wind Ensemble. Lee landed a seat in the upper level group out of the two Region I wind bands. 

Pictured: MTHS Band Teacher is Ellis Jasenovic, Sophomore Brian Lee (Clarinet), Freshman Ann Cao (Violin), and MTHS Orchestra Teacher is Andrew Havington.

Eight Montville Township High School student musicians were selected, through competitive auditions, to perform in North Jersey School Music Association Region I ensembles. The announcement was made on January 10, 2023, by NJSMA Region I of the New Jersey Music Educators Association.

The eight MTHS students ranked high in the North Jersey Region competition.

Freshman Ann Cao, Violin, Region I Orchestra: Ranked 5th out of 135 violins who auditioned, and will be performing in the First Violin section. 

Cao’s MTHS Orchestra Teacher is Andrew Havington.

Sophomore Brian Lee, Clarinet, Region I Wind Ensemble: landed a seat in the upper level group out of the two Region I wind bands. 

Lee’s MTHS Band Teacher is Ellis Jasenovic. 

In Region I Chorus six singers were chosen:

In NJSMA Region I Chorus six Montville Township High School singers were chosen:

Freshman Devyani Sharma will be singing Soprano 1 with the Region I Treble Choir. Sharma ranked in the top 5 for the Soprano 1 voice part.

Senior Laura Justnes, Soprano 2; junior Joe Amoroso, Tenor 1; and Freshman  Philo Megala, Tenor 2; will all be singing with the Region I Mixed Choir. All three musicians ranked in the top 5 for their specific voice parts.

Freshman Anthony DiBenedetto, Tenor 2; and sophomore Ryan Cortes, Bass 1, will also perform with the juried Region I Mixed Choir.

Pictured: Devyani Sharma, Philo Megala, Anthony DiBenedetto, Ryan Cortes, Laura Justnes, Joseph Amoroso and MTHS Music Teacher Theodor Cherney. 

Freshman Devyani Sharma will be singing Soprano 1 with the Region I Treble Choir. Sharma ranked in the top 5 for the Soprano 1 voice part.

Senior Laura Justnes, Soprano 2; junior Joe Amoroso, Tenor 1; and Freshman  Philo Megala, Tenor 2; will all be singing with the Region I Mixed Choir. All three musicians ranked in the top 5 for their specific voice parts.

Freshman Anthony DiBenedetto, Tenor 2; and sophomore Ryan Cortes, Bass 1, will also perform with the juried Region I Mixed Choir.

The MTHS chorus teacher is Theodore Cherney.

Rehearsals for the upcoming Region I musical performances have begun. Concerts will be held in schools throughout the Region. For a calendar of performances consult the www.njsma.org/calendar/ website.

The Montville Township Public Schools district has been named, 7 years in a row, a National Best Communities for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation (National Association of Music Merchants).