Parsippany Hills High Celebrates 50th Anniversary With New Song

PARSIPPANY, NJ — Parsippany Hills High School turns 50-years-old this school year, and it's marking the occasion with a new piece of music titled "Golden Celebration Overture."

The endeavor was funded by a grant from the Parsippany Education Foundation and composed by Chris Bernotas and PHHS band students, Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools said in a press release Tuesday.

The goal of the composition is to create a piece of art that Parsippany Hills High students and staff can consider their own, the release said. Moreover, the piece of music will be a contribution to the band repertoire and can be performed by bands all over the world.

Bernotas has a bachelors degree in music from William Paterson University and an master's degree from Marygrove College. He has been published with Alfred Music Publishing, Daehn Publications, Wingert-Jones Publishing, Northeastern Music Publications, Carl Fischer Music, TRN Music Publishing and Bandworks Publications.

Most recently, he retired from his post as Mountain Lakes High School band director in 2019. He worked at the school for more than 20 years.

The "Golden Celebration Overture" will make its world premier at PHHS on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m.