• Music at West Orange High School

    The Visual and Performing Arts Department at West Orange High School offers a comprehensive selection of courses in the areas of band, choir, orchestra, theatre, dance, and music theory. 

    The band program at West Orange High School serves more than 225 students with curricular opportunities that include Ninth Grade Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Winds, Wind Ensemble, Advanced Placement and regular music theory. Honors credit is offered to members of the Wind Ensemble, as each member participates in a chamber music group. The chamber ensembles have evolved into a community outreach program, performing for various holidays and civic engagements.

    Additionally, the band program is proud of its extra-curricular offerings. Students can participate in the Marching Mountaineers, two jazz bands, winter color guard, pit orchestra, and percussion ensemble. The Marching Mountaineers earned first place in November 2016 at the US Bands State and National Championships.

     

    About the school and community

    The West Orange Public School District has been educating students since 1895 when Washington Elementary School opened its doors. West Orange High School was established in 1898 and currently serves over 2000 students in grades 9-12. Today, the district boasts over 6,900 students in eleven schools that speak more than 48 languages in the home. The schools have a mix of cultural, socio-economic and religious groups that create a harmonious microcosm of a global community. The diversity is a tremendous strength and contributes greatly to the success of each and every student. The West Orange Board of Education is committed to a strong cultural arts program. Performing arts, music and fine arts education begins at the elementary school level and is provided as part of the curriculum throughout the K-12 program. 

     

    The Township of West Orange, located 22 miles from Manhattan, is a flourishing suburban sanctuary located in Essex County. With a dynamic, global population of almost 50,000 residents, West Orange is known for its rich history as the former home to inventor Thomas Edison.