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Schools

Ice Cream Social Combines Dessert, Music and a Cause

The annual New Providence Ice Cream Social will take place today, March 23 at 6:50pm in the high school auditorium and cafeteria, and will raise funds for the NP Music Boosters organization.

Spring is officially here and with the prospect of sunshine and rising temperatures just around the corner, who wouldn’t welcome an event inspired by one of the season’s favorite treats: ice cream?

Combine that ice cream with an evening of vocal and instrumental performances by students in grades 5 through 8 and you have the annual Ice Cream Social event today, March 23 at 6:50 p.m. in the New Providence High School auditorium and cafeteria.

“Our biggest celebration of [Music in Our Schools Month] is the Ice Cream Social,” said Kenneth Hess, Department Head of Fine, Performing and Practical Arts in New Providence Schools.

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Between 400 and 500 students from Allen W. Roberts Elementary School, Salt Brook Elementary School, and New Providence Middle School will be performing for family, friends and community members this evening.

Hess said that those attending the Ice Cream Social can look forward to a variety of musical entertainment from choral ensembles, bands and orchestras, which will be represented from each of the participating schools.

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Performing groups include 5th and 6th grade concert and jazz bands, and the 6th grade chorus. A combined string orchestra made up of students from Salt Brook, Roberts, and the Middle School will also be filling the high school auditorium with music.

From the Middle School, audience members will enjoy the sounds of the Middle School chorus, Boys' Ensemble and Girls' Ensemble in addition to its Concert and Jazz Bands.

Hess said that the typical program for the evening will begin with the elementary schools, which will alternate performing, and end with the Middle School music groups.

“A lot of [students] get the chance to sit and watch their friends from other schools,” said Hess of one of the unique aspects of having a district-wide event such as the Ice Cream Social.

In the past, students from the high school have even been known to volunteer their time to the event, making it a true school community effort.

Following their performances, students and attendees can then make their way from the high school auditorium across the hall to the cafeteria for make-your-own ice cream sundaes, supplied by Zita’s Homemade Ice Cream and Italian Ice.

The ice cream sundae portion of the evening provides a rare opportunity for participants to enjoy the sweet treat while spending some quality time with students, parents, school members and friends.

The Ice Cream Social event has been held annually for nearly twenty years in New Providence and serves to raise funds for New Providence Music Boosters, an organization made up of parents and friends whose mission it is to support the schools’ Music Department.

Although it varies from year to year, Hess said that approximately $2,000 is raised each year at the Ice Cream Social. Money from the benefit is used for Music Department purchases that wouldn’t otherwise be possible within the regular school budget.

Past purchases have included music software, storage racks and units for the classrooms, musical instruments, choral risers, and funding for special music assemblies and workshop programs.

“A great deal of organization has to go into it," Hess said of the fundraiser. "The main success of the event is dependent on parent volunteers (from the Music Boosters Organization).”

The Department Director explained that it’s the parents who gather the equipment for serving the ice cream, run the kitchen, and patrol the hallways throughout the evening.

When asked which performances audience members could especially look forward to tonight, Hess said, “I think we can look forward to all of them. It’s going to be a lot of fun!”

Tickets to the New Providence Ice Cream Social cost $4 each and are available at the door.

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