Watchung Hills' New Performing Arts Center Celebrates 'Grand Opening'
By Eleanor Mathews
All “Grand Opening Celebrations” share certain characteristics: a spirit of festivity, excitement, optimism, a sense of accomplishment. When Watchung Hills Regional High held the Grand Opening Celebration for its Performing Arts Center on the evening of November 4, all those elements were present, and also others unique to the occasion.
The newly-completed lobby entry to the Performing Arts Center was transformed into an art gallery, a mingling spot with tables of light refreshments and a venue for small groups of student musicians who entertained visitors during lulls in the opening proceedings.
The Grand Opening of Watchung Hills Performing Arts Center was the climax of a long process, initiated by the Board of Education in May of 2002, to make provision for expanding and renovating the school’s facilities for an ever-growing enrollment. The four- year interval between the Board’s initial go-ahead to the architectural firm of Feitlowitz &Kosten/Heintz & Fiore to draft plans and the completion of the project (of which the new auditorium/Performing Arts Center was the centerpiece) was beset by many hurdles. (The approval of building plans on many levels, from state to locality, the drawing up of referendums for public vote, the inevitable construction delays and shortages of selected materials make a swift transition from drawing-board to reality a long and tedious process.)
Nevertheless, when community members gathered on November 4 for their first glimpse of Hills’ new performing arts facility, one heard such phrases as: “beautiful,” “a bonus for the whole community,” “worth the long wait,” “a real opportunity and resource to develop students’ talents.”
The 6 o’clock ribbon-cutting, traditional start for such events, was preceded by words of greeting . Board president James Benscoter of Green Brook spoke with pride about the most visible features of the expansion and improvement project: “a fantastic facility” with its 1000-plus seating capacity, orchestra pit, catwalks and the latest in theatre technology.” After extending his gratitude to the many persons involved in the whole process—from planners to construction people, from Board members to faculty to community members, he concluded: “As we approach our 50th anniversary, tonight is a night to celebrate the accomplishments of everyone who put their hard work and effort into this endeavor, and to look forward to the use of this facility to showcase the talents and accomplishments of our students and teachers.”
Long-time Board member Jay Wilpon of Warren, recalled the goals of the “journey,” that started when there were 1400 students at Watchung Hills. Next year, an enrollment of 2200 is anticipated, a reality Board of Education members had to address. Among the factors that had to be considered while planning for the creation of “meaningful opportunities for every person in the school “ were the constraints of limited available land, tight budgets, the gaining of public support. The new auditorium/performing arts center, considered the centerpiece of the “West Wing,” not only supports the educational vision and needs of students, but was also designed as a point of congregation for all people in our community—children, adults, seniors alike, as a means of bringing art into our towns as well as to the school..It is intended to “create a renaissance in our towns for decades to come.” We should all be proud of what we have achieved, said Wilpon as he concluded with an expression of thanks to all who had taken a part in this ambitious project.
Dr. Frances Stromsland, Superintendent of Watchung Hills, welcomed all to the “extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime event.” Among those she singled out for recognition were the mayors of the sending district towns, current members of the Board of Education (Peter Fallon, Peter Falzarano, Sondra Fechtner, Louis Pepe, Paul Seelig, Bernard Yaged, Ellen Zimmerman, Benscoter and Wilpon) and those of previous boards, all individuals “who are there when we need them.” She expressed her gratitude all those who have given much to the school—graduates, former and present administrators, particularly Tom DiGanci, and Mrs. Judith Mulder, Arts Department Supervisor who helped bring the opening event together in eight short weeks. “We would not be in this wonderful place in time in the life of our school community if not for the support of the residents of our region who so generously give us the resources to make this vision a reality for our students,” she said.
The celebration, she stated, is not only about the arts, but about “all the exciting opportunities in science, athletics and health, language arts, literature, history, world language, special education and mathematics that have been made possible by the upgrades and expansion of our school facilities. We are thankful to you all for making this transformation possible,” she said.
Following words of greeting by Warren resident Mrs. Laura Mandell president, on behalf of the Parent Teacher Organization, the super-size pair of shears which had been resting conspicuously by the dais was picked up. While onlookers watched from the shelter of the lobby vestibule, members of the Board went outdoors to accompany Dr. Stromsland and President Benscoter as they cut the red ribbon which had been stretched across the main access to the Performing Arts Center.
“It’s just wonderful,” said Kay Maltby, now a North Plainfield resident who had been valedictorian of the Class of 1962. “We had about 190 students at that time... It’s just amazing how much is being offered to students today.”
David Peterson of Warren, for many years Hills’ guidance supervisor, said, “The time has finally come! We can offer students and community the cultural opportunities of New York City. New York City has come to the Hills/”
In the hour which intervened between the official ribbon-cutting and the premiere performance of the evening, a concert by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Chamber Players, guests milled about the spacious lobby, savoring the “plethora of student talents” to which Dr. Stromsland had alluded, which had been showcased for the opening night. More than 150 samples of student art in several mediums were on display, ranging from paintings in all genres to photography and graphic arts to ceramics and jewelry. Among the contributing artists were members of all present classes, recent graduates and former students who had gone into art professionally. Mrs. Ingrid Casella of Millington said, “It is marvelous to see such amazing art work—it’s on a professional level. We tend to look for teenagers’ faults, but don’t acknowledge the wonderful things they do, and this is wonderful!”
Mrs. Harriet Stambaugh of Watchung said, “It’s amazing to see how much talent there is among our students. I think they’ll certainly reap the benefits of the school’s new facilities.”
In another section of the lobby, student musicians provided background music as visitors enjoyed reunions with old friends, sampled refreshments and enjoyed the atmosphere of the new facility. Karen Tsung and Eric Liu (both of the Class of 2009), played the violin. Helen Kim (Class of 2007), Doris Lee (2010) and Cathy Zhang (2007) performed on the piano, both solo and duets. One young listener, 12-year-old Julia Sun, a Warren Township 7th-grader, said she was looking forward to the day when she, too, would be a student at Hills.
Every bit as splendid as the new performance hall was its initial performance, a concert by the New Jersey Symphony Players. A select group of a dozen musicians (three strings, three woodwinds, three brass, two percussionists and a harpist) all principals of the Symphony, performed in a program, “Carnival!” which had been especially tailored for the occasion through the Symphony’s REACH program (Resources for Education & Community Harmony). The dozen selections included pieces which recreate the sounds and spirit of a festival day at a carnival, a circus, an amusement park, or a grand opening such as that of the Hills’ PAC.
The audience had the privilege of seeing and hearing two valuable and venerable 17th century violins, an Amati and a Stradivarius, part of the collection of highly-prized instruments purchased by the New Jersey Symphony. They also had the pleasure of hearing three student musicians, Liu and Tsung, violinists, and Andrew Funcheon (Class of 2009), percussionist, who had the honor of being invited to join the orchestra for its finale, Sousa’s familiar, rousing Washington Post March.”
The audience rose to its feet at “Carnival’s” conclusion, a fitting beginning for this new venue.