Wayne Hills High School has an incredibly advanced music program that includes countless individuals. Our current band directors, Mr. Paterno and Ms. Pascale, teach students how to immerse themselves in music and achieve success through excellent playing skills. Our school offers various opportunities to make music through endless clubs and activities, including: Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Patriot 5, Flute Choir, Sax Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Winter Percussion, and so much more!

These programs not only inspire students to create something so wonderful, but also grant students the skills to earn awards and participate in bands outside of school as well. Two of our very own seniors, Edward Shulman and Julianna Stier, have demonstrated academic excellence in their various achievements both in and outside of school. Both of these students are magnificent musicians who are extremely dedicated to their instruments and the work it takes to play them.

Edward Shulman has been a part of Wayne bands since fourth grade. Since the start of his career, he has excelled in playing percussion instruments. Playing percussion consists of playing and learning over 500 different instruments, including mallets, cymbals, drums, the triangle, and so much more. As Edward says, “Playing all of these requires different techniques, and it is difficult to master all of these.” Each piece he has to play a completely different instrument! Edward is a member of the Wayne Hills Symphonic Band, Wayne Hills Marching Band, Wayne Hills Winter Percussion, and Wayne Hills Percussion Ensemble, where he has tons of well-deserved leadership positions.

Edward decided to join the Wayne Hills Marching Band during his sophomore year of high school and was placed in the Drumline! Throughout his first year, Edward was on the Bass Drum. During the past two years, he played the Snare Drum. Edward is the current Drumline leader under the title of Drum Captain, the Publicity Officer, where he is responsible for taking pictures and sending out reminders to the whole band, and the Drum Captain for Winter Percussion. Edward is such a dedicated band member and is “proud to be a member of the Wayne Hills Symphonic Band.”

Another student here, Julianna Stier, began her musical journey when she was very young. During elementary school, Julianna took piano lessons until she was allowed to start a wind instrument in fourth grade. Back then, Julianna played the flute. Now, however, she is the only oboe player in our entire band!

Her freshman year of high school, Julianna did not hesitate to sign up for Marching Band since it gave her the chance to play her flute again, and she could make many new friends before the school year even started. Marching Band has also, in Julianna’s words, “…taught me important lessons that have served me throughout all of high school and which I’m sure will help me beyond graduation.” Three out of her four years participating in the Marching Band, Julianna was in an officer position. For her sophomore year, she was elected as a librarian. During her junior year, she climbed the ladder and became secretary. Finally, for her final year, Julianna was elected as one of two drum majors (a conductor and student leader)!

Along with Marching Band, Julianna is a part of Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Flute Choir, and Patriot 5. She is also the president of the Tri-M Music Honors Society for the current school year! To challenge herself outside of school, Julianna makes a commitment to audition for an honors ensemble, to advance her musicianship with other advanced students. So far, Julianna has played with the NJSMA Intermediate Region Symphonic Ensemble (first chair), the NJSMA Region Symphonic Ensemble (second chair), the North Jersey Area Symphonic Band (first chair), and the North Jersey Area Band Wind Ensemble (first chair). Julianna is also the co-president of Zooming Thru Music, which is a nonprofit organization that works to bring music to those who need it. They perform at nursing homes and hospitals as well as host a benefit concert at the end of the year to raise money for other organizations in need.

Not only is Julianna an excellent instrumental musician, but she is also a vocal musician! She sings in both choirs offered at Wayne Hills and performs in musical theater. Since sixth grade, Julianna has performed in fourteen plays and musicals! During middle school, Julianna was a part of the New Jersey Choral Society Festival Youth Chorus. Currently, she is a soprano singer in the Wayne Hills acapella group, the Patriot Voices. Throughout her life, music has been such a huge part of her career and will continue to be, even after graduation. Julianna has learned so much with music, and she “will always value my time as a Wayne Hills musician!”

Edward Shulman and Julianna Steir are only two incredible examples of what it means to be an amazing musician. There are so many talented individuals in our school, and Mr. Paterno and Ms. Pascale are always looking for new musicians who aspire to be as successful as these two. Don’t hesitate to join the amazing band programs that Wayne Hills has to offer! Thank you to all of our talented seniors who do so much for our Band program; you will be missed!