Masuk Free Press

On Saturday, February 28th, 2026, Masuk High School held its 38th annual Music and Meatballs dinner. The dinner cost $20 per person, or $65 for a package of four tickets. The event started at 6 p.m., and concluded at 9 p.m.. Music was played by the Masuk Band, and dinner was provided by Dave’s Planet Pizza.

The dinner had raffles for both small and large prizes, with the small prizes being gift baskets, gift cards, and other small items, and the large prizes included an Apple Macbook Air, an Apple iPad, a Nintendo Switch 2, a Playstation 5, and more. The cost was $5 for one small raffle ticket, $20 for an arms length of small raffle tickets, $20 for a single large raffle ticket, and $100 for six large raffle tickets.

To start off the dinner, the cast of Mamma Mia, which is the musical theater play this year, sang and danced to songs that will be featured in the play. The play premiers on March 13th. 

Masuk students Ryan O’Shea and Dan Fontana introduced the cast of Mamma Mia after their first performance. O’Shea and Fontana also hosted throughout the night.

Next, the Masuk Orchestra followed by the Masuk Concert Choir took the stage.

The food, catered from Dave’s Planet Pizza in Norwalk, included tossed salad with dressing, garlic knots and bread, ziti with sauce and meatballs, a desert table, and soft drinks and coffee. 

While food was being served, Dan Kocan, Matthew Colberg, Daniel Wilenski, Alexander Wulinsky, and Antonis Konstantindis performed traditional Balkan melodies.

Masuk parent Chris Deloge said “The music stood out and the meatballs were delicious.”

Throughout the night, Masuk students were singing numerous songs, consisting of music from multiple eras, movies, shows, and plays, while the band and orchestra continued playing songs that students have been practicing.

The song that gathered the most excitement of the night was “Waterloo” which was performed by not one, not two, but three pairs of siblings; Dan Fontana, Alex Fontana, Brady Ebner, Elliot Ebner, Ryan O’Shea, and Kellen O’Shea. 

Another popular performance was “Pink Sky” which was performed by Allison Catalan.

“Preparation, I would say, is the key to making this work.” Said Masuk band teacher Michael Ances. “They have been learning their instruments for years, four years in high school, three years in middle school. At least, often, one year in elementary school, sometimes even more. To get to a performance level where live people will listen to you, music has to be almost perfect.”

“I think that is one of the greatest things about an event like this, because it gives students a chance to perform in front of a live audience, which, obviously, when they are in the band or they are in the chorus concert, they are performing in front of a live audience. But, most of these groups are solo, duet, trio, quartet, and you can hear every single voice, and if one person messes up, everybody is going to know.” Ances said.

The dinner is run by the Masuk Music Parents Association, who also plan other events, such as the senior recital, and give scholarships to graduating seniors that participate in music classes. 

All of the money earned goes directly to the association. “Last year, one bus to go to Montreal and back for three days cost $7,000, and we needed two buses, so that is $14,000. The students have to pay for the trip if they are going, but the Masuk Music Parents Association will take some of the money they earn tonight, and then they can offset some of that cost for the students. Just about everyone in the music program has an opportunity to get a benefit from the Masuk Music Parents Association” Ances said. 

The night concluded with the raffles for the large prizes.

“The night went pretty well. It was very fun. It was awesome for us to host it, and we were honored to do so.” Said Masuk Sophomore Ryan O’Shea.

“We kept the crowd going, and we got them out before 9 p.m., which is always a success. All of the parents, all of the teachers who helped out, they said that we did a fantastic job. All of the performers were fantastic.” said Masuk Junior Dan Fontana.

Masuk will be hosting Music and Meatballs again next year, so if you enjoyed it this year or if you missed out this time, be sure to come!