By Nandini Kuppachi, The Prowler Arts Editor
A chilly January evening was met with the warm sounds of the Bridgewater-Raritan High School Band Program.
The work of three bands brought exuberance to the stage when the student musicians performed at the annual Bridgewater-Raritan High School Winter Concert at the high school’s auditorium on Tuesday, January 14.
Every year, the Winter Band Concert consists of the three co-curricular ensembles part of the Bridgewater-Raritan High School Band Program.
The three groups are the Concert Band, the only ensemble for freshmen; the Symphonic Band, one of the two ensembles for students from their sophomore through seniors classes; and the Wind Ensemble, the audition-only ensemble for sophomores, juniors and seniors.
All ensembles were conducted by Nicholas Mossa, and Dr. Tom Bourgault, the high school’s Band Program Directors.
The Band Association has had a productive school year.
When the Marching Band season ended in the fall,, a handful of indoor ensembles began, including Indoor Percussion, Winter Guard, and Jazz Band. Proceeding the Concert in the Round, co-curricular band students exhibited their first marking period pieces to friends and family during the school day in November.
Students and teachers from all ensembles alike started off with a new slate and a fresh selection of pieces, which they performed at the Winter Band Concert.
The performance on January 14 opened with the Concert Band, marking the first high school production for the freshman class as part of the band program. Their musical selections included The Orange Bowl by Henry Filmore, Ave Maria by Franz Schubert and arranged by Frank Tichelli, Capriccio on Three Japanese Children Songs by Yo Goto, and Where Eagles Soar by Steven Reineke. For their first performance, the audience was taken aback by their high-level skills, from their dynamic range to technical precision. The complex intertwining of various instrument families, from the percussion section to low brass and the woodwinds, added more richness to their performance.
Subsequently, the Symphonic Band took the stage to perform their selection of pieces: Genesis by Eiji Suzuki, Reminiscence by Kathryn Salfedler, and Southwest Saga by Robert Sheldon. With several members of the ensemble playing several instruments, and many of these individuals having taken up these instruments in the recent marking period, the ensemble was able to put their best foot forward across the board.
Throughout the concert, members of all ensembles who had auditioned and/or received a spot in the Central Jersey Music Education Association (CJMEA) Region Band Ensembles were recognized, and a handful of individuals from the Symphonic Band were among these few.
The Wind Ensemble concluded the concert with their performance of Into the Silent Land by Steve Danyew and Roma by Valerie Coleman. Danyew’s composition was a reminiscent piece based on the tragic event at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012, and the ensemble was able to attribute the emotions of that moment to their expression of the piece, especially in junior flutist Vivian Nguyen’s recitation of an excerpt from Christina Rossetti's Poem "Remember", reminiscent of the lives that were lost in the tragic event and the families that were devastated by the said incident.
All student performers brought a vibrant energy to their individual performances and will be able to continue their pursuit in extracurricular ensembles, participating in competitions in the future.
The Band Program will perform at The Festival of the Arts on March 27 and at the Spring Concert on May 29, both at the high school.
Freshman oboe player Angie Yang shared her experience performing in her first high school concert
"It was both nerve-wracking and exciting to perform with such a talented group of musicians," she said. "I’ve practiced so much for this moment, and hearing our music come together on stage was amazing. The energy of the audience really encouraged me, especially the whistling from the audience between each piece, and I’m proud to have been part of it.”
She also reflected on how the experience has motivated her:
"This concert showed me how much I can grow as a musician. I’m looking forward to improving and performing even more challenging pieces in the future."
Here is a link to the evening's entire program.
BRHS Winter Band Concert Program
Here are short video clips of the three Bridgewater-Raritan High School Bands who performed at the Winter Concert.
BRHS Winter Band Concert video 1
BRHS Winter Band Concert video 2
BRHS Winter Band Concert video 3