Multiple AHA Musicians Enter Tri-M Honor Society

Several fine Academy of the Holy Angels musicians who exhibit scholarship, character, leadership, and service, are now members of the Modern Music Masters Honor Society. Tri-M Chapter 2150 opened its doors to 12 Angels at a virtual induction ceremony presented on February 9.

Honorees include Morgan Battaglia of Upper Saddle River, Zeida Ben-Fredj of Bergenfield, Erin Choi of Cliffside Park, Sidney Chung of Cresskill, Lauren Gumban of Lodi, Nora Jacobi of West New York, Anna Jang of Tenafly, Rachel Mina of Ridgefield Park, Caitlin Neville of Dumont, Josephine Noble of Demarest, Olivia Papp of Hawthorne, and Shivani Sahu of Paramus.

AHA Performing Arts Director Dan Mahoney, who is moderator of Tri-M Chapter 2150, extended his congratulations to the inductees. He also thanked Choral Director Lisa Marciano and Instrumental Music Director Mariann Annecchino, AHA’s administration, and the current Tri-M members, including President Mary Quimbo and the Tri-M Executive Board.

A highlight of the annual induction ceremony is the mini-concert provided by the society’s newest members. In lieu of the concert, Quimbo prepared a COVID-safe option: She edited the honorees’ audition videos to highlight each student’s musical talents. Choi, who plays the gayageum, performed “Another Day in the Sun.” Ben-Fredj presented “Canon in D” on the piano, and Chung played “Sonate” on the oboe. Cellists Jang and Sahu performed “Tarantella” and “Gavotte,” respectively. Mina played “Air on the G String” on the flute, and Josephine Noble, rang out “Joy to the World” on the handbells.

Vocal musicians and the pieces they performed include: Battaglia, “Panis Angelicus;” Gumban, “She Never Told Her Love;” Papp, “On My Own;” and Jacobi and Neville, both of whom selected “Ave Maria.”

Tri-M Executive Board members took active roles in the induction ceremony. Kirstyn Barsola presented the opening prayer, which included the words, “Bless all of our efforts to spread the love of music to us all and give us the vision and fortitude to celebrate Holy Angels as a place where music always enriches the lives within our community and beyond.”

Cecilia Yun administered the Tri-M pledge, which calls for members to foster a desire for excellence in music, and the enhancement of AHA’s reputation as a center for musical enrichment.

Annalise Olsen welcomed the new members and acknowledged the society’s continuing members. Arielle Maravilla introduced the video.

Tri-M Vice President Samantha Shah presented a few words about the purpose of Tri-M, which includes the promotion of music as a universal language. Tri-M Secretary Faith Youn provided closing comments and congratulations to the society’s newest members.

Sponsored by the National Association for Music Educators, Tri-M recognizes young musicians and strives to produce leaders in music education and advocacy. Society members are encouraged to promote music at school and in the greater community. AHA’s group is one of the most active chapters in the area. Students have organized outreach concerts, and raised funds to purchase instruments for young musicians who cannot afford to buy or rent their own.

Currently, Tri-M members are planning to provide virtual music lessons to students in need.

Founded by the School Sisters of Notre Dame in 1879, the Academy of the Holy Angels is the oldest private girls’ school in Bergen County. While AHA is steeped in Catholic tradition, this prestigious high school serves young women from a broad spectrum of cultural and religious backgrounds. Over time, thousands of women have passed through AHA’s portals. Many go on to study at some of the nation’s best universities, earning high-ranking positions in medicine, government, law, education, public service, business, arts, and athletics. The Academy’s current leaders continue to further the SSND mission to provide each student with the tools she needs to reach the fullness of her potential—spiritually, intellectually, socially, and physically, by offering a first-rate education in a nurturing environment where equal importance is placed on academic excellence, character development, moral integrity, and service to others.