News

January 2026 Music Boosters Newsletter

Sent: January 3, 2026

Check your email for our refreshed newsletter format with graphics and more!

Dear Music Families and Staff,

We hope everyone enjoyed a joyful holiday season filled with rest, celebration, and time with family and friends. As we begin the New Year, we look forward to another exciting chapter for our music students and programs.

January brings renewed energy and excitement as our winter competition seasons begin, students begin preparing for their spring concerts, and our community comes together once again to support music education across the district.

This month, you will also notice a refreshed newsletter format designed to make it easier to find important updates, events, and ways to stay connected. We are also looking ahead to one of our most important fundraisers of the year, our annual Tricky Tray, taking place later this month.

Below is what’s ahead for the month of January, including important events, upcoming performances, and the launch of new student fundraising opportunities.

Sal Scarpelli
NMBA President

Important January Meeting Update

Our next General Meeting will be held on Monday, January 12 via Google Meet only and beginning at 6:30pm.

• Meeting Agenda and Documents

• Google Meet Link

Celebrating Student & Ensemble Accomplishments

• Congratulations to all students on their holiday and winter concerts held during the month of December, including our annual Holiday Benefit Concert at St. Mary's.

• The following NHS students were selected to the following honors ensembles:

  • The College of NJ Honors Band - Veronica Daniels, Rachelle Bonilla and Emily Ruthman

  • Caldwell University Honors Band - Gianna Gigante, Grace Jeong, Joshua Montaleza, Emily Ruthman and Sean Wilkinson

  • North Jersey Area Band - Jake Aman-Iannuzzelli, Johannah Park, Jesus Rodriguez-Molina and Matthew Loeser

Holiday Caroling

Our NHS Choir students spread holiday cheer on Saturday, December 20, caroling throughout the downtown business district.  A special thank you to Commissioner Scarpelli for collaborating on and supporting this wonderful holiday tradition.

Fundraising Opportunities

• For Fundraising Chairperson contact information, please consult the notice in the BAND App or see the attached Fundraising Flyer.

• For your student’s current fundraising balance, please contact NMBA Treasurer, Teresa Bonilla at trealpebonilla2018@gmail.com.

• Need a fast fundraising rundown? View our 5-minute Screencast.

Double Good Popcorn

NEW OPPORTUNITY!
Monday, January 26 - Friday, January 30 @ 6pm

We are selling Double Good’s award-winning popcorn and students will earn 50% of every sale as fundraising credit. All popcorn will directly ship to the purchaser.

• Create your fundraising page by clicking here. You will need to download the Double Good app

• Event Code - ODSHYJ

Shop-Rite Can Shake - Sunday,1/18

The Sunday, January 18th can shake sign up will open up on Sunday, January 4 at 12 noon via the BAND App and is open to all students in Grades 7-12.

As previously communicated, only a student’s parent or the student themselves may sign up for a Can Shake shift. If anyone other than the parent or student signs someone up, that name will be removed from the schedule.

Year-Round Fundraising

Earn credits anytime with Gertude Hawk Chocolates, RaiseRight gift cards, ShopRite/Stop & Shop gift cards, Auditorium Seat Nameplate and your personal online donation page.

Visit Parent Info Hub for More Information

January and February "Dine to Donates"

Dine to Donate and Support Nutley Music!

• Tuesday, January 27 - Habit Burger
  4pm - 9pm
  388 Route 3 West, Clifton (Riverfront Center)
  20% of all sales will be donated back
  
  Must present flyer or use promo code GIVEBACK

  • Download Flyer

• Tuesday, February 17 - Jersey Mike's
  All Day
  850 Route 3 West, Clifton (Promenade Shops)
  50% of all sales will be donated back
  
  Must present flyer or use promo code JMGIVES

  • Download Flyer

California Trip Payments

For families participating in the 2026 California Music Department Trip, the 4th payment of $500 was due on Thursday, January 1st.

Fundraising credits may be applied toward all future payments.

Schedule:

• 5th Payment: $500 due February 1, 2026

• Final Payment: $300 / Remaining Balance due February 15, 2026

Student Credit Balance Questions?

Email Teresa Bonilla at trealpebonilla2018@gmail.com.

Tricky Tray Fundraiser

Now more than ever, we need the support of our music community to help us reach our fundraising goals for the year. One of our most important events is quickly approaching, and we hope you will join us for a fun evening in support of Nutley’s music programs.

The Nutley Music Boosters Tricky Tray Fundraiser will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 6:00–10:00 PM at the Nutley Elks.

Tickets are limited to just 200 patrons and are expected to sell out.

📣 As of 1/2 we only have 76 tickets remaining!

Ticket Information

• $25 per person and Reserved Tables of 10 available

  • Includes one sheet of regular tricky tray tickets

• Dessert and coffee provided

• Cash bar available

• Guests are encouraged to bring their own snacks and food to enjoy during the evening

• Enjoy some magic tricks by the Winick Brothers

Purchase Tickets Online

We Need Your Help!
Donate or Shop our Amazon Wish List

We are in need of donations to make it a success! Whether it’s $10 or a prize item, every contribution supports our music students.

2 Easy Ways to Give:

• Venmo a Donation
  We are asking for a minimum of $10 per family.

  • Venmo: @nutleymusicboosters with "Tricky Tray" in the memo

• Shop Our Amazon Wish List
  Choose an item from our Amazon Wish List to be shipped directly to us. We have items for every budget - electronics, kitchen, gift cards, travel and more!

  • Click Here to Shop our Amazon Wish List

Prize Drop-Off Locations

If you have already purchased or collected a prize item, you can drop it off at any of these locations by January 10.

• Gina Aguila - 113 Myrtle Ave

• Jessica Eastman - 56 Joerg Ave

• Anny Rincon - 22 Highland Ave

Upcoming Events

January 2026

• Thursday, January 1 - NHS Music Trip - Payment #4 Due

• Friday, January 16 - Single Session Day

• Saturday, January 17 - North Jersey All-Area Band Concert

• Sunday, January 18 - Shop-Rite Can Shake

• Monday, January 19 - No School

• Saturday, January 24 - Tricky Tray Fundraiser

• Saturday, January 24 - WG Competition - West Orange

• Monday, January 26 - Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser Begins

• Tuesday, January 27 - Habit Burger "Dine to Donate" (4-9pm)

• Friday, January 30 - Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser Ends

Looking Ahead...

• Sunday, February 1 - NHS Music Trip - Payment #5 Due

• Saturday, February 7 - WG Competition - Pegasus

• Sunday, February 15 - NHS Music Trip - Final Payment Due

• Monday, February 16 - Tuesday, February 17 - No School

• Tuesday, February 17 - Jersey Mike's "Dine to Donate"