Judd chorus takes top honors in competition
BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK - The harmonizing of 109 voices from the Judd Elementary School Advanced Chorus led the school to receiving a first-place award for the second year in a row at a musical competition held at the Kutztown Area High School in Pennsylvania on June 8.

The fourth- and fifth- grade students, under the direction of vocal music teacher Elizabeth Perryman, sang three pieces during their performance at the Music in the Parks competition: "That's Entertainment," "Al Shlosha D'varim," and "Mary Had a Little Blues." They practiced from February until June, with Perryman selecting the songs based on their diversity.

"This gives students the chance to sing Broadway songs, it gives them a chance to learn a new language, it gives them a chance to sing a different style, like the blues style," she said.

The students were taught harmonies, singing in high and low voices, and choreography during class and then applied their knowledge to the competition. They added a little extra style, according to their teacher, by having a narrator, chimes and sunglasses during their songs.

Their first-place rating in the chorale competition had them scoring higher in points this year than last year. Although there were about 40 teams from the tri-state area, each participating elementary through high school competes only against themselves per a points system and not against each other.

In addition, fifth-grader Megan Brewi received a special Judges' Choice Award for Outstanding Vocal Soloist for the Hebrew song.

"There's a lot of talent. They seem to be very enthusiastic and they work really hard," Perryman said.

On a related note, Linwood Middle School received four trophies at the High Note Festival at Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, the same day. The wind ensemble received superior honors and the jazz band, concert choir and symphonic strings received excellence awards.