A Year of Applause, Artistry, and Achievement: Linden Public Schools Fine & Performing Arts Programs Continue to Shine
From National Recognition to Statewide Honors, Linden Students and Educators Deliver Another Landmark Year in Music, Theatre, and the Arts
LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NJ — When the Linden Public Schools Fine & Performing Arts Department stages its 48th Annual All City Music & Art Festival tonight, May 27, at the Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, it will serve as the grand finale to another landmark year of statewide honors, national recognition, standing ovations, and artistic excellence across the district’s thriving music, theatre, and visual arts programs.
The highly anticipated downtown showcase will bring together student musicians, singers, performers, actors, and visual artists from across the district in a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and community pride that has become one of Linden’s signature spring traditions.
And the spotlight will not dim when tonight’s final notes fade.
Next week, on June 3, the cast of The Little Mermaid and Linden High School’s Guitar Ensemble will represent Union County at the New Jersey State Teen Arts Festival at Middlesex County College, extending the district’s remarkable run of statewide arts recognition this season.
The department’s spring concert season, which began April 30 with the energetic “Broadway Lights” performance at Linden High School, has filled school auditoriums and gymnasiums throughout May with concerts, showcases, theatrical productions, and art displays highlighting the extraordinary talent flourishing across the district.
The celebration comes during another milestone year for the district’s arts programs, highlighted by Linden Public Schools once again being named one of the nation’s “Best Communities for Music Education” by the NAMM Foundation, marking the 12th consecutive year the district has earned the prestigious distinction.
The honor places Linden among more than 1,000 schools and districts nationwide recognized this year by the NAMM Foundation for creating environments where students can “learn and grow with music.”
“Our music department doesn’t just teach notes and rhythms — it nurtures confidence, creativity, and community,” said Matthew G. Lorenzetti, supervisor of Fine & Performing Arts and Gifted & Talented. “Their work reminds us that when students make music, they also make us proud.”
Lorenzetti said the recognition reflects a collaborative effort among the Board of Education, district administrators, educators, students, families, and community leaders who continue to champion arts education throughout Linden Public Schools.
Officials also noted that sustained investment in music and arts education continues to support both creative expression and academic growth across the district.
Theatre Program Earns Prestigious Statewide Recognition
The spotlight grew even brighter May 21 when Linden High School theatre students were honored during the 18th Annual Theatre Night Awards at Montclair State University after receiving three prestigious Foxy Award nominations for the school’s fall production of You Can't Take It with You.
Presented through Montclair State University’s Theatre Department, the Foxy Awards recognize outstanding high school theatre productions and performances from across New Jersey. This year’s competition included nearly 100 productions statewide, making it one of the most competitive years in the program’s history.
Linden High School received nominations in the following categories:
Outstanding Achievement by a Student Stage Crew for a Play
Arianna Elvin, Leah Glenn, Kylie Graziano, Yasmelin Guzman, and Leah AlvarezOutstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress
Victoria GazdaOutstanding Performance by a Featured Ensemble Actress
Maryyam Malik
“As the director and producer, I am very excited to see our students’ hard work and talents being recognized in this statewide competition,” said Katherine Lewis, Teacher of Theatre Arts at Linden High School and director of the production.
Student Artists Selected for Union County Touring Exhibit
The district also celebrated several student artists whose work was selected for the prestigious Union County Touring Exhibit following participation in the Union County Teen Arts Festival. Over the next year, the exhibit will travel throughout Union County and be displayed in county buildings and public libraries. Students selected for the exhibit include:
Linden High School
Paola Pereira
Clerma Romeus
Chari Theodore
McManus Middle School
Olivia Wlodyka
Soehl Middle School
Mariah Jordan
A Music Program by the Numbers
Music education continues to play a major role in student life throughout Linden Public Schools.
Every elementary school student in the district receives weekly music instruction, helping provide early access to arts education and creative development across all grade levels.
At the secondary level, students can choose from 14 different music courses, with more than 1,500 students enrolled in at least one music class districtwide.
Participation numbers across the district include:
Approximately 325 elementary band students
Approximately 265 elementary orchestra students
Approximately 440 elementary chorus students
Nearly 690 middle and high school students participating in band, orchestra, and choir
More than 25 concerts and performances held annually across schools and throughout the community
Earlier this year, approximately 150 students in grades 5 through 12 gathered at Linden High School for a districtwide Band and Orchestra Day, spending a Saturday morning rehearsing and performing together as one unified music community.
Earlier this spring, middle and high school students showcased their talents at the Union County Teen Arts Festival, earning opportunities to advance to the state level through outstanding performances and artistic achievement.
Tonight’s All City Music & Art Festival will feature performances by the All City Elementary Band, Secondary Schools Orchestra, Secondary Chorus, Linden High School Musical Theatre Touring Troupe, and Advanced Guitar Ensemble, while student artwork from every school and grade level will transform the downtown promenade into a communitywide gallery of creativity and expression.
Lorenzetti said the continued success of the department reflects the extraordinary commitment of teachers, administrators, students, and families across the district.
“Watching our music teachers and students shine at every grade level fills me with immense pride,” Lorenzetti said. “Their dedication, creativity, and passion transform our classrooms into spaces where every child can find their voice.”
“Our district’s music program is a testament to what can happen when talented teachers inspire young musicians to grow, explore, and believe in themselves,” he continued.
District leaders said sustaining national recognition for 12 consecutive years reflects Linden Public Schools’ long-standing commitment to collaboration, creativity, opportunity, and educational excellence — values that continue to shape student experiences both inside and outside the classroom.
And as the curtain closes on another unforgettable season tonight in downtown Linden, one thing is unmistakably clear: the arts are not just enriching student experiences in Linden Public Schools — they are helping define the district’s identity.
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