Band-Tastic Honors for Student Musicians

Washington Township Student Musicians Lauded with Spots on Regional Honor Bands

For Immediate Release
March 19, 2025

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - This winter the Washington Township Public Schools had several students audition for and be accepted to participate in regional honor bands. 

In January, the South Jersey Band and Orchestra Directors Association (SJBODA) sponsored concerts at Rowan University. On Sunday, January 11th, the South Jersey Orchestra featured Washington Township High School students Jacob Shachar (violin), Emily Engber (viola), Melissa Engber (bass), and Alexander Lugo (oboe). On Sunday, January 18th, the South Jersey Symphonic Band included WTHS students Aaron Negin (euphonium), Zachary Negin (tuba), and Melissa Engber (bass). That same concert also featured WTHS students Logan Blachewicz (clarinet) and Alexander Lugo (oboe) as members of the South Jersey Wind Ensemble.

On Thursday, January 29th, our district hosted the annual Olympic Honors Band concert at the Republic Bank Performing Arts Center. The Junior High Band featured Allison Duncan (percussion, Bunker Hill Middle School), Jocelyn Fischer (baritone sax, BHMS), Henry Funk (percussion, BHMS), Keira Keenan (trumpet, BHMS), Isabella Ellis (tuba, BHMS), Sofie Fournier (bass clarinet, BHMS), Raelyn Sprenger (clarinet, BHMS), Brooklyn Gorgodian (bassoon, BHMS), Annabella Blankenship (trombone, BHMS), Abigail Coleman (percussion, BHMS), Michael Talerico (clarinet, BHMS), Aiden Homiak (clarinet, BHMS), Ryan Michielli (flute, BHMS), Chase Sutcliffe (clarinet, BHMS), Katelyn Kim (flute, Chestnut Ridge Middle School), Connor Moffitt (trumpet, CRMS), and John Zachowski (percussion, CRMS). The Senior High Band featured Logan Blachewicz (clarinet), Alexander Lugo (oboe), Nico Colomarino (euphonium), Aaron Negin (eEuphonium), and Zachary Negin (Ttuba) all from WTHS.

Additionally, this year's Olympic Junior High Honors Band was conducted by our own BHMS/Birches/Whitman band director Mrs. Candy Maxwell-Stetser. 

“We are very fortunate that the teaching and directing gifts that Mrs. Maxwell shares with our own students every day were able to be shared with students from other districts from around the area,” District Supervisor of Visual and Performing Arts Casey Corigliano said. “She is a valued member of our VPA department and was most deserving of this opportunity to lead that ensemble.”

Lastly, we had several students accepted in the SJBODA Jr. High region band that performed on Sunday, March 8th. Those students included: Isabella Ellis (tuba, BHMS), Brooklyn Gorgodian (bassoon, BHMS), and Henry Funk (percussion, BHMS). 

“We are very proud to highlight the accomplishments of our students in our band and orchestra programs for their advanced talents and for having the opportunity to work with other students from around the South Jersey region to further their musical endeavors,” Corigliano said.

- WTPS -