Virginia Ann Moravek 77 of Somerset, NJ died Wednesday, December 23, 2020.
She was born February 26, 1943, in Perth Amboy NJ. Virginia graduated from Perth Amboy HS in1960 and is a member of the School’s Hall of Fame of which she was most proud. She was dedicated to the art of music and fine choral singing her entire life. Ginny or Miss M, as she was also known, had a career in music education spanning some forty-seven years, thirty-seven of which were in the Edison Township Public School at John P Stevens High School. Additionally, she taught at James Monroe, Clara Barton, Ben Franklin, and Cedar Hill Prep schools. An accomplished pianist, Ginny received a BA and MEd in Music and Music Education at Douglass College and Rutgers University respectively. She also completed extensive graduate studies at Westminster Choir College and studied with the renowned conductors Howard Swan, Robert Shaw, Joseph Flummerfelt, and Paul Salamunovich. In addition, she sang with the Rutgers University Choir, Kirkpatrick Chapel Choir, The Dessof Choirs, The Princeton Singers, and the Los Angeles Master Chorale.
At JP Stevens HS, Virginia’s choirs excelled in all aspects of classical choral repertoire and choral art. In competition, superior ratings and best-in-show were the standard accomplishments for her groups. Her choirs traveled throughout the United States and Canada and while touring they performed in Montreal, Boston, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington DC, and California. They were also privileged to perform at Carnegie Hall as well as The Kennedy Center.
Virginia was an active leader in choral associations having been President of the Central Jersey Music Educators Association, New Jersey American Choral Association, and Eastern Division of the ACDA. She remained on the NJ- Board for thirty-three years. She received many awards not only for her superior choirs but also for her meritorious service in Music education among these the Distinguished Service Award from NJMEA as well as the Master Teacher Award in 2002. She conducted the Central Jersey Region HS Honors chorus in 1982 and 1993 and the New Jersey All-State Chorus in 2001. She continued her love of all kinds of music into her retirement, especially Jazz.
Virginia was predeceased by her parents Joseph Sr. and Sophie as well as Brothers Joseph Jr. and Robert. Surviving are her nieces Mary Ellen Moravek-Olpp, Paula Moravek, Susan Moravek, Joanne Moravek-Caswell, Tama Campbell, Janel Griffin, Dore Murray, and many loving cousins. “Miss M” also leaves a legacy of scores of students who continued friendships with her long after leaving school.
A Memorial Service will follow in the future.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Virginia’s honor to The Mason Gross School of Arts Music Department Scholarship fund at give.rutgers.edu.
To make a donation towards the JPStevens Choir Scholarship Fund, please visit www.jpschoir.org, or send your gift via venmo to @JPSCPA (Choir Parents Association).