Hazlet Introduces Pops Junior Community Band, Half-Day Band Camp

HAZLET, NJ — Raymond Lahaye believes Hazlet could use more music and figures that some of the township’s younger residents just may be the ones to provide it.

Lahaye is the director of the newly formed Hazlet Pops Junior community band as well as the Raritan High School marching band. He is also part of an effort to bring a half-day summer camp to to fruition in July and insists that Hazlet’s young people can be instrumental in bringing more musical joy to the area.

After township officials announced the formation of the Hazlet Pops, a community band that was launched in March, Hazlet Pops Junior was introduced on Thursday. Hazlet Pops will perform four community concerts this summer, but the township announced that kids can take part in the summer camp, which will run from July 19-30 at the North Centerville Firehouse, located at 372 Middle Rd.

The camp will run from 9 am.-1 p.m. daily and will include two performances. The cost of the camp is $300 and students who do not have an instrument will receive assistance in finding one, the township said. Interested families may sign up for the camp at the township's RecDesk website.

Both bands will perform together on July 29 in an outdoor community concert at Veterans Park. On July 30, Hazlet Pops Junior will perform at the Hazlet Swim Club. On July 31, band camp participants will be able to enjoy a free day at the pool with two family members as the grand finale of the camp, the township said.

The band camp is open for students between fourth and eighth grade and is for kids that live in Hazlet and in surrounding communities.

“We want more open-air concerts in the park, we want more kids to fall in love with an instrument,” Lahaye said in a news release. “So, we are starting right now to build up music in Hazlet.”

Hazlet Mayor Tara Clark agreed.

“Music brings our town together, adds energy to our events and makes us proud of our town,” Clark said in the release. “I love to see the kids in the band perform, they look like they are having such a fun time. And so are we.”

Township Committeeman Skip McKay also helped develop the Hazlet Junior and is already working to get the band to perform at upcoming holiday celebrations. But following more than a year of kids having to adjust to the restrictions brought on the coronavirus pandemic, McKay said the formation of the Pops Junior group may help to bring some enjoyment back into the lives of younger township residents.

“I’m happy to see young people pick up an instrument and find friends and connection through music,” McKay said. “This camp is unique to summer camps we have seen offered anywhere nearby.”