Instrumental
Musicians of all calibers can find a home in our instrumental room and enjoy dynamic instruction from inspirational music teachers who cultivate the musical and artistic development of their students. Music education provides opportunities for self-expression as well as the transformative practice of collaboration.
Students learn from guest artists and participate in festivals and field trips to become immersed in the New York City music scene, enriching the program and broadening musical perspectives
NA’s instrumental ensembles include:
- Advanced Orchestra
- Chamber Music
- Chameleon (No. 1 jazz band in the country in 2024)
- NA Big Band
- Orchestra
- Wind Ensemble
World-Class Opportunities
Chameleon: Nationally Award-Winning Jazz Program
Chameleon, Newark Academy's premier jazz band, has won 15 consecutive NJAJE state championships and regularly performs at prestigious national festivals including Jazz at Lincoln Center's Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival and the Charles Mingus High School Competition & Festival.
In 2024, Chameleon was named the No. 1 high school jazz band in the country at Essentially Ellington, and in 2025, it was recognized among the Top 10 high school jazz bands across the world.
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
Newark Academy instrumentalists are regularly selected to perform on elite stages, including the prestigious Chamber Music Society (CMS) of Lincoln Center's Young Musicians Concert, under the direction of Orchestra Director Oliver Hagen. For the past two years, Upper and Middle School students have earned recognition from CMS, one of the nation’s premier chamber music organizations, and have had the opportunity to perform and train alongside world-class artists.