All-County chorus, band to perform Wednesday

NEWTON — The Sussex County Music Educators will celebrate its 40th anniversary this Wednesday with a very special concert. Close to 200 students will perform at Kittatinny High School under the direction of two conductors who have been members of the SCMEA since its early years.

The All-Sussex County Band is being led by conductor John Cuozzo, who led the Kittatinny Regional High School band program from 1975-04. He also taught at Interlochen Center for the Arts, Seton Hall University, and Fairleigh Dickinson University. Cuozzo has conducted numerous high school honors ensembles, along with opera and Broadway shows. Lately he has been arranging music "For the past 40 years, the SCMEA has provided opportunities for Sussex County music students. Many of these students have gone into some aspect of the music profession," Cuozzo said.

Joseph Mello is directing the All-Sussex County Chorus. He led the choral program at Kittatinny Regional High School for 36 years while holding leadership positions in the New Jersey Music Educators Association and The American Choral Directors Association. Mello has earned many awards for his teaching, including New Jersey's Master Music Teacher Award. He currently directs the Water Gap Singers and is music director at Christ Episcopal Church in Newton.

In honor of the 40th Anniversary, the SCMEA commisssioned the design of a new pin. Every music student will receive this pin, which includes a ruby, the stone for 40th anniversaries.

Both ensembles are working diligently to prepare a wide range of music in a variety of styles for the All-Sussex County Band and Chorus Concert on Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m.