RED BANK — Red Bank Primary School, Long Branch High School and Amerigo A. Anastasia School in Long Branch are among 12 schools in the state selected to perform in the 2013 Education Law Center’s (ELC) Kids in Concert program.
The concert, which will be held on March 31 at Long Branch High School, provides a select group of students in New Jersey’s “highneed” school districts the opportunity to develop and perform on a single stage.
“It is such an honor,” Red Bank Public School District Superintendent Laura Morana said in an interview on Feb. 21.
“The level of performance of every child and every high-schooler and middle- schooler is very impressive and we are honored to be part of this.”
This is the second year that Red Bank Primary School was selected for the program, with the chorus performing last year. This year, the orchestra will perform.
Approximately 30 out of 137 students in the orchestra will be selected to perform at the concert, according to Morana.
“We have selected the intermediate and advanced students,” she said, adding that one of the advanced students is a 5-year-old violinist.
“She played the violin with a third-grader. They are at the same level: advanced. She is definitely part of the group that is going to be part of the program.”
This is also the second year the Long Branch High School dance team was selected for the program.
Since 1997, the ELC has partnered with the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) to present Kids in Concert to celebrate the talents of New Jersey’s public school students.
Under the supervision of a professional artistic director, students in kindergarten through 12th grade are chosen to perform original pieces based on a pre-selected theme, according to the ELC website.
Performances typically range from vocalists, jazz ensembles, concert choirs, theater groups, gospel choirs, orchestras, pianists, dance groups and spoken word poetry.
According to Cynthia Triminio-Batista, event coordinator for the Kids in Concert program, inner-city schools or schools that have high needs are encouraged to audition by submitting a video of a performance.
Approximately 30 percent of those schools apply to the program. Between 10 and 12 schools are chosen every year based on creativity and how the theme is incorporated.
“The theme for this year is the Garden State, so the students had to choose a song or artist or something that represents New Jersey to them,” Triminio-Batista said.
“Red Bank was chosen because they are putting together an instrumental piece. We chose [Long Branch High School] because they are doing collaborative work with dance and band, and we thought that was pretty cool.”
Morana said the school district found out about the program a year ago. Since then, they have been applying to the program ever since.
“Last year we had submitted a video for our middle school band and primary school chorus, and they selected the chorus. This year we only submitted the orchestra and they were selected,” Morana said.
“Now that we are aware of it, we want to make sure our tapes get submitted so that our kids can be part of the competition. It’s high quality and it’s beautifully done.”
The students will be performing along with students from Bellmawr, Orange, Paterson, Irvington and Union City.
The event is free and will be held on March 31 at 6:30 p.m. at the Long Branch High School at 404 Indiana Ave.