Chameleon Earns 11th-Straight State Title

Newark Academy’s jazz band, Chameleon, earned its 11-straight state championship at the New Jersey Associate for Jazz Education (NJAJE) State Finals on Sunday, May 1 at JP Stevens High School. This was NA’s first time performing in the Division I category with the largest schools in the state. Chameleon also received Outstanding Saxophone and Rhythm Section Awards, as well as the top Sight-Reading Award.

 

Sid Chalasani ’22 received the Rick Kerber Award, which is a $500 scholarship presented to an outstanding senior who will be attending college for the further study of music after graduation. In addition, Ethan Lee ’22 and Ben Collins Siegel ’25 won Outstanding Soloist Awards and Yasmeena Sharif ’23 was awarded an honorable mention.

 

The NA Big Band also competed at the NJAJE finals and had a great performance, placing fourth in the state, less than a point behind third place.