A distinct honor

The Palmyra High School concert band did a big thing.

On April 26 – at the direction of director Jeffrey Moore – the group performed at the 2026 New Jersey State Band Gala hosted by William Paterson University in Wayne.

Participation in the gala represents the highest level of achievement in the New Jersey State Band Festival process, said Teresa Purcell-Giles, director of bands at the university. Each year, high-school concert bands from across the state participate in regional festivals where ensembles are evaluated on musical performance, preparation and overall artistry.

“Only four ensembles from each region (North, Central and South) earn a performance slot at the gala, making this invitation a distinct honor for your school and community,” Purcell-Giles wrote in a letter to school Superintendent Florencia Norton, Palmyra High principal Dan Licata and board of education president James Dickinson.

The Palmyra concert band was selected as the result of a two-day festival at Rowan University in March, explained Moore, now in his 32nd year as director. The event is hosted by the South Jersey Band Orchestra Directors Association.

From there, 16 high-school bands participated in the festival.

“We all performed three selections and were then adjudicated on our performance,” Moore recalled. “The top four groups were selected to represent Region 3 in the state Concert Band Festival. The top two scoring groups from each region performed in the night concert and the third- and fourth-place groups performed in the afternoon.”

Palmyra earned third place.

Moore – who has also taught the junior high concert and marching bands – noted that most of the schools that qualified for the gala were larger than Palmyra’s. Twenty-one members of the concert group performed at the event.

“We were the only concert band selected, as we accept any and all students wanting to perform and participate in band,” Moore pointed out. “Most of the other schools were represented by their wind ensemble, the top group in their schools.”

The concert band performed three selections. “Break Forth O’ Beauteous Heavenly Light,” by J.S. Bach, was a warm-up, followed by “Toccata For Band,” by Frank Erickson. The group finished with selection called “Rephrygeration,” by Todd Stalter.

Leaders in the school district are Palmyra proud of the band.

” … Under the direction of Mr. Moore, our incredible group of students has reached new heights,” Licata enthused. “With so many students returning next year, we are looking forward to another incredible year.”

“It reflects not only their talent,” offered Norton, “but the time, effort and heart they put in every day. In a small district like ours, moments like this mean a lot, and it’s something our entire Palmyra community can celebrate together.”

The gala showcases outstanding student musicianship and the exceptional quality of instrumental music education in New Jersey’s public schools.

“The selection of the Palmyra High School concert band reflects not only the dedication and talent of the students,” Purcell-Giles observed, “but also the commitment of your faculty, administration and district to supporting excellence in the arts.”