Musical Groups

Co-Curricular Choirs

The Choir Department at Morris Hills High School offers all students a variety of opportunities to participate in

vocal music. In addition to the curricular choir classes, students also have the opportunity to audition for one or

more of the co-curricular choirs offered. Knightingales, Knights Templar, and Scarlet Singers provide students

with differing venues of musical expression and performance outside of the curricular choir class. These choirs

frequently represent Morris Hills at public events and concerts and are considered Morris Hills' Select Choirs.

All three are auditioned groups and auditions are held in the beginning of the school year during the first month

of school. In all vocal groups, emphasis is placed on learning and using healthy vocal techniques, reading music notation

and understanding different types of choral literature through the study of varying world music cultures.

*Students must be enrolled in a curricular choir class during the day in order to audition for and participate in

any co-curricular choir.

Advisor Contact: Michelle Uhler (muhler@mhrd.org)

Color Guard

The Color Guard is a group of students who perform marching/dance routines to the music of the Marching Band. The students develop marching, dance and coordination skills through the use of equipment such as the colorguard rifle, sabre, and flag. The colorguard season begins in the spring continues through the summer and ends in the middle of November. Students are permitted join beginning in the eighth grade and no previous experience is necessary to join the group.

Advisor Contact: Allyson Moreno (amoreno@mhrd.org)

Jazz Band

The Jazz Band is an ensemble of musicians that learn and perform the various styles of music that are considered

jazz: swing, blues, latin, funk, rock, and ballads. Traditional jazz band instruments include: saxophone, trumpet,

trombone, rhythm section (drums/percussion, piano, guitar, and bass), and other instruments can be included at

the discretion of the director. Individuals learn proper ensemble and solo performance techniques. Auditions are

a requirement for participation according to the following schedule:

November – audition information given

December – auditions; rehearsals begin after school once a week

January through June – weekly rehearsals, performances at all band concerts and the Senior Awards

Ceremony, occasional participation in local high school jazz band competitions/festivals

Advisor Contact: Richard Hartsuiker (rhartsuiker@mhrd.org)

Marching Band

The Morris Hills "Scarlet Knights" Marching Band strives to provide an atmosphere to which all students can belong. It is a place where students learn values and standards, while depending on one another in their pursuit of excellence. Students learn about responsibility, doing their fair share, and working toward a common goal. They learn to value people, respect their peers, and not make judgments on the superficial. Future life lessons and values are instilled as a means for both personal and musical growth through the marching band activity. This particular ensemble is one of the most accomplished marching bands of any in the state of New Jersey, as they have been awarded multiple championships over the decades, and have received many awards in recognition of their Music, Visual, Effect, Color Guard, and Percussion performances. The members of the Scarlet Knights Marching Band have also participated in unique and diverse performance opportunities, including participating in front of 115.3 million people as part of the Super Bowl XLVIII Halftime Show with Bruno Mars and Red Hot Chili Peppers, as well as filming a commercial for MTV! The “season” for marching band is considered from August through November, with competitions ending in early November and football games extending (potentially) further into November or December based on playoff games. There are preliminary rehearsals that occur in May and July as well.

Advisor Contact: Richard Hartsuiker (rhartsuiker@mhrd.org)

Symphony / Chamber Orchestra

The members of the Morris Hills Regional Symphony, and Chamber Orchestra perform regularly throughout the school year, and within the community. These ensembles study, and perform, your favorite orchestral classics, film scores, and modern music. All of our music ensembles have the opportunity to travel and perform, and regularly represent the school district at events. Rehearsals are held once a week, in the evening. Students must also be available to perform with the ensembles.

Advisor Contact: Brett Izsa (bizsa@mhrd.org)

Winter Guard

Energetic students perform a marching/dance routine to recorded music on a prepared gym floor covering. The students develop dance and coordination skills through the use of equipment such as the winter guard rifle, saber and flag. All students are welcome. Practices are twice a week in the evenings and on Saturdays while performances are at local high school competitions on Saturdays. Winter Guard season is November through April. No experience is necessary. A physical with approval from the nurse’s office is required for participation. The cost to participate depends on the creative requirements of the intended season and the fundraising efforts of the students, however, the cost is approximately $100 per participant.

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