SWMHS senior earns top spot in Region Orchestra
Sayreville War Memorial High School seniorMichael Squillace received the top score in the solo clarinet category at last month's central New Jersey band and orchestra competition.

Michael Squillace

Students competing for a spot on the Region Orchestra had to demonstrate their competency in scales and sight reading, and perform a professional-level classical solo. This year's solo was the virtuosic "Concertino" by Carl Maria von Weber.

Squillace competed against more than 105 othermusicians throughout the central part of the state to earn his spot. Michael will be playing principal clarinet in the Central Jersey Region Orchestra.

Squillace has been actively involved with the Sayreville music program as a saxophonist and clarinetist since he was in seventh grade. He was a member of the Sayreville Marching Unit from grades seven through 10. Last year he was amember of the New JerseyAll-State Symphonic Band. Currently, he is enrolled in the SayrevilleWarMemorial High School Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble and Pit Orchestra. His future plans include studying music at the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, New Brunswick.

The Region Orchestra concert will be held at Watchung Hills Regional High School on Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door for $5.

The program will include: Bernstein's symphonic suite from "West Side Story," DeFalla's suite from"Three CorneredHat," Mascagni's intermezzo from "Cavalleria Rusticana" and Strauss' "Flaudermaus" overture.