EDITORIAL: Support school music programs

   When student musicians got together Friday morning at Brunswick Acres School to rehearse for the district music festival, they were doing more than just practice, they were carrying on a South Brunswick tradition.
   The music programs in South Brunswick have been consistently excellent over the years. The high school’s marching band is always a powerhouse, and in the fall it won the United States Scholastic Band Northern States Championship. Before that, it placed second in the competition seven out of the last 12 years.
   Elsewhere, the district’s instrumental bands have consistently done well in the Music in the Parks festival at Hershey Park in Pennsylvania, where they compete against middle and high school groups from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and elsewhere. The district also has four administrators that have been honored by the New Jersey Music Educators Association as Outstanding Administrators, Joanne Kerekes, Jim Warfel, Joe Anzek and Gary Abbamont, who is retiring.
   We hope that residents will get out and support the local music programs by attending the district’s Choral Festival at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the high school. On display will be the talents of more than 160 vocalists, with select fifth-graders from each elementary school, the Crossroads North and South vocal ensembles and the South Brunswick Concert Choir performing.
   In addition, help keep the instrumental programs thriving by donating gently-used musical instruments to be used for children in need. Contact the Greenbrook School Site Council to arrange a donation.