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Health & Fitness

West Essex High School Musicians Selected for North Jersey Region 1 Orchestra

Michael Wang and Joshua Kranser to perform with elite group.

West Essex Orchestra Director Alex Soares is proud to announce that sophomore Michael Wang of North Caldwell and freshman Joshua Krasner of Roseland have successfully auditioned for the New Jersey Region 1 High School Orchestra and will perform with the group at its concert on February 12.

The young musicians said they both plan to audition for the New Jersey All-State Orchestra February 9. (Musicians must first successfully audition for their region orchestra before they can audition for All-State. Michael played with the New Jersey All-State Orchestra last year while Joshua played with the New Jersey All-State Intermediate Orchestra.) This is Michael's third year performing as a cellist in Region 1 and Joshua's second as a bassist. Michael also plays with the New Jersey Youth Symphony.

"This group demands and represents the highest level of performance for high school musicians in northern New Jersey," Soares said. "The competition is intense with approximately one-third of the auditioning students being selected to participate in the ensembles. These students will now have about five rehearsals before their mid-February performance."

Find out what's happening in Caldwellswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Both musicians said they are excited to play with the North Jersey Region 1 Orchestra. "I am looking forward to all of the songs I am going to play with the group," Michael said. "Last year we really had some good selections."

Joshua said he enjoys working with other musicians. "It is nice to work with different people, both musicians and conductors, and learn different perspectives about music from them."

Find out what's happening in Caldwellswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Both Michael and Joshua were honored by the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders last year for performing with the All-State groups.

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