Summit Music Parents Association - SMPA

09/11/2026

Welcome back to another exciting school year!

We’re excited to reconnect with our community of parents, students, and music enthusiasts as we kick off the 2026-2027 school year. Your support continues to make Summit’s music programs shine, and we can’t wait to see what this year brings!

A Look Back at Last Year’s Highlights

Last year was filled with unforgettable moments, from the vibrant performances at the 53nd Annual Big Band Dance at Canoe Brook Country Club to the inspiring showcases at the 2026 District Arts Festival. Our students dazzled us with their talent, and SMPA was proud to award scholarships to our dedicated band, orchestra, and chorus members, nurturing the next generation of musicians.

Check out our 2025-2026 highlight reel here:

https://youtu.be/KdCX6SvAEgI?si=psNeN3O3EsHZFNsp

Just last year, SMPA provided more than $23,000 in program support for…

-Artists, workshops and master classes

-Scholarships for private music lessons and college-bound seniors

-District Arts Festival - a two-day celebration of the musical, artistic and culinary talents of our students

-Move Up events to give elementary and middle school students a sneak peak

-Middle School Community Chorus - a new after school program

And, this year, we will be providing up to $10,000 in need-based scholarships plus additional support for the high school's spring music trip to the ultimate Music City, Nashville, Tennessee in April 2027!

What’s Ahead for 2025-2026

We’re gearing up for another year of music, community, and creativity. Mark your calendars for our General Member Meetings in the SHS Orchestra Room, where we’ll share updates, plan events, and connect as a community:

Monday, September 14th, 2025 at 7:00 PM

Monday, January 11th, 2026 at 7:00 PM

Monday, March 1st, 2026 at 7:00 PM

Monday, May 17th, 2026 at 7:00 PM

These meetings are a great opportunity to get involved, share ideas, and help shape our music programs. We hope to see you there!

SMPA thrives because of YOU. Whether you volunteer, attend events, or spread the word, your involvement makes a difference.

The 2025-26 Year in Review

09/11/2026

Treble and Concert Choir kicked off the school year with a Wild West themed blast off party! We can’t wait to hear them perform this school year!

09/11/2026

August 17-21 our marching band started learning this year’s half time show! Band camp was a huge success and we look forward to seeing them all season at the Summit Football games!

09/11/2026

2026 SMPA Scholarship Winners
As we begin the new school year, we want to take one more opportunity to acknowledge and honor last year’s SMPA Scholarship Recipients and wish them the best.

At the spring Band, Orchestra and Chorus concerts, the Summit Music Parents Association announced this year’s recipients of the SMPA Senior Scholarships and the Carol Hassert Awards.

SMPA awards merit-based scholarships to students who have shown exceptional musicianship, enthusiastic participation, and who exhibit leadership within the music programs. This year’s Senior Scholarship recipients are:

Gavin Lowenberger, Luka Milinkovic, Jeremy Oh, Bettina Pangilinan, Minjoon Kang

The other award presented was chosen by the music directors and is a scholarship named for Carol Hassert, a former president of SMPA, an employee of the Summit Public School district for more than a decade, and a Summit High School parent. Carol passed away in March 2016 after a battle with cancer. This scholarship was set up to honor her memory and is presented to students that demonstrate a tireless work ethic and dedication to the performing arts and to the music programs in ways that may not always be readily apparent. This award recognizes those “unsung heroes” that exhibit a positive attitude and a willingness to help in ways that impact the overall success of the group. This year’s recipients of the Carol Hassert Award are:

Clara Carvalho, Rory Gingeleskie

Congratulations all!

05/11/2026

Come hear the plans for next year's trip TONIGHT at the last SMPA General Member Meeting of the year! 7pm in the Orchestra Room

Tonight Monday, May 11th, is the final general member meeting of the year and it is packed with updates and plans for next year!

Agenda will be as follows:

7:00-7:05pm
Opening/Welcome - Hazel Anne Siegel
-Approval of minutes from January 26, 2026 meeting
-Open positions for the 2026-2027 school year
-Presentation of the new executive slate
-Recap of the past year

7:05-7:10pm
Vice President’s Report - Alison Caravano , K-12 Supervisor of Fine, Performing and Practical Arts

Spring 2027 Music Trip Announcement!

7:10-7:20pm
Program Reports
-SHS Band - Melanie Lowenberger
-SHS Orchestra - Nevena Bojovic
-SHS Chorus - Mary-Lynn Rhodes
-LCJSMS - Anna Love

7:25-7:40pm
Committee Reports
-Big Band Dance - Nevena Bojovic, Megan Gaeta
-District Arts Festival - Rachel Petrella, Karla Ruiz
-Scholarships - Karla Ruiz
-Pledge Day

7:40-7:50pm
Treasurer’s Report - Ewa Misiewicz

Hope you can join us in the Orchestra Room.

05/03/2026

I scream, you scream, SMPA screams for our music seniors!

On Friday, SMPA brought the Scream Truck to Summit High School to celebrate our seniors who were decked out in their college gear since it was also National College Decision Day.
Congratulations to the Class of 2026! Thank you for the music, seniors!

04/23/2026

Summit Public Schools has been nationally recognized by the 2026 NAMM Foundation as one of the Best Communities for Music Education, honoring its outstanding commitment to high-quality, accessible music education. This prestigious recognition celebrates the strength of our programs and the dedication of our talented music educators, whose work inspires students every day.

We are incredibly proud of our district’s music community and grateful for the ongoing support of our administrators, Board of Education, families, and students who make this program so meaningful and successful.

04/19/2026

We are thrilled to share exciting news from Thursday's night Somerset Patriots game!

Our outstanding Bel Canto ensemble took the field and delivered a beautiful, powerful rendition of the National Anthem that earned a standing ovation from the entire stadium.

This appearance was extra special because of all of you. Thanks to the many parents and friends who purchased tickets to the game, SMPA was able to surpass the fundraising goal!

On behalf of the entire SMPA family, thank you from the bottom of our hearts! We couldn’t be more proud of Bel Canto, and we are deeply grateful to every parent and friend who attended and helped make this fundraising success possible.

7 likes. "LCJSMS Bel Canto performs the Star Spangled Banner at the Somerset Patriots, 4/16/2026"

04/13/2026

Join SMPA for a night out at the ballpark on Thursday, April 16th at 6:35pm as the Somerset Patriots take on the Reading Phillies. LCJSMS’ select choir, Bel Canto, has been selected to sing the National Anthem to set the tone for an exciting evening of baseball, camaraderie, and family fun.

Enjoy discounted tickets with over 25% of the proceeds directly benefiting the Summit Music Parents’ Association.

Tickets available here: https://tinyurl.com/somersetsmpa

03/24/2026

On April 11th, please join us for an evening of amazing music featuring the Summit High School Big Band!

Tickets on sale now: https://smpasummit.org/?page_id=417