Chester Student Named Among Best Musicians in Morris County

Pierce Phillips is having a busy eighth grade year, preparing for the jump into high school along with maintaining grades and social activities.

But the Black River Middle School student is also making sure to keep his efforts going in the world of music, and it paid off greatly in February.

Phillips has been named a musician of the month by the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown along with eight other musicians from around the area.

Phillips was nominated by teacher Kenneth Piascik, who said, “Percussion is a very special section of the band. The students need to be organized, motivated, disciplined, and rhythmic, and they must perform many different instruments. The best percussionists have all these qualities and help lead the band to the next level. Pierce Phillips is one of these great percussionists! He arrives early in the mornings to practice the marimba, work on his rudiments, or advance in the Theory program. He has been a member of the North Jersey Regions Band as a 7th grader and will audition again this year. Mr. Phillips wants to be challenged and continues to inspire the other percussionists in our music program. We are all very fortunate to have Pierce Phillips at Black River Middle School!”

Phillips and his fellow honorees were recognized prior to the Friday, Feb. 20 performance of STOMP at the performing arts center, and will be invited to perform at a year-end recital in June.

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