Morristown Students Honored For Orchestral Talent

Students from Morristown were among several honored by the Mayo Performing Arts Center as a February Music Student Of The Month for being an outstanding orchestra member.

Nicolas Gritz, a sophomore, and Andrew Madonna, a junior, from Delbarton School, and Milind Bangalore, a freshman at Morristown High School, were honored on stage before the Feb. 17 concert at Mayo PAC.

All the students were nominated by their teachers and chosen by Mayo PAC's education department. At the end of the year, all honored students will be invited to perform in a recital.

Here is what Norma Davis had to say about Milind Bangalore:

I am writing to nominate Milind Bangalore for Music Student of the Month - Outstanding Orchestra Member. Milind is a dedicated member of the Morristown High School Orchestra, where is serves as violin section leader. He devotes many hours to practicing and developing his musicianship, and he is highly involved in the music program at Morristown High School. Milind is in the 9th grade, and has been selected on violin for the Senior Region I High School Orchestra, which is a tremendous achievement. In addition to the MHS Orchestra, Milind is a member of the select Chamber Orchestra and plays first violin in his Camerata ensemble. He is also a dedicated member of the Delbarton Abbey Orchestra and the NJSO Youth Orchestras. Milind is an accomplished violinist who enjoys being challenged and strives for excellence in his musical endeavors. He is always enthusiastic, eager to learn, and shows exceptional commitment. Milind is an outstanding orchestra member who brings energy, artistry, and collaboration to his craft.

Here is what Norma Davis had to say about Andrew Madonna:

Andrew is a Junior at Delbarton School where he is very actively involved in the music department. Andrew has been a devoted member of the Delbarton Abbey Orchestra for the past three years. He is an excellent double bass student who enjoys performing with other musicians and sharing his musical talent with the audience. During every rehearsal, Andrew is focused, hard-working, and enthusiastic. Andrew was selected for the NJSMA Region I High School Orchestra in 2017, 2018 and 2019. He earned the assistant principal bass chair in Region Orchestra this year, representing Delbarton School at the recent performance in Paramus. In addition to the Delbarton Abbey Orchestra, Andrew devotes many hours to playing the bass in the Pit Orchestra for the school musical each year. He is also a dedicated member of the school Jazz Ensemble, and he performs each spring at the Delbarton Arts Council Festival. Andrew is reliable, generous with his time, and demonstrates a deep passion for music. As a bass player, he brings depth, rhythmic intensity, energy and power to the sound of the group. His commitment to the school music program, excellent musicianship, and positive attitude make him a role model for his peers.

Photo Caption: Front Row:Maeve Kelly, Grade 8, Mountain View Middle School; Mendham, Allison Connuck, Grade 9, Randolph High School; Randolph; Nikita Kalathur, Grade 12, West Morris Mendham High School; Mendham; Yoo Jin Kang, Grade 8, Robert R. Lazar Middle School; MontvilleJoanna Peters, Grade 8, Randolph Middle School; Randolph; BACK ROW:Milind Bangalore, Grade 9, Morristown High School; MorristownPatrick Calderon, Grade 8, John Hill School; Boonton; Patrick Martin, Grade 12, West Morris Mendham High School; Mendham; Matthew Mullen, Grade 8, Ridgedale Middle School; Florham Park; Auden Gu, Grade 10, Hanover Park High School; East Hanover; Ian Zhang, Grade 8, Black River Middle School; Chester; Selected, but not present:Zoe Bohensky, Grade 8, Madison Junior School; Madison; Nicolas Gritz, Grade 10, Delbarton School; Morristown; Andrew Madonna, Grade 11, Delbarton School; Morristown