The spectators who jammed inside the Vaughn Stapleton Gymnasium at Bridgewater-Raritan High School were entertained by “one of the best youth orchestra programs in the state.”
The popular event on the evening of Wednesday, March 26, was the gem of the Visual and Performing Arts program at Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District—the Festival of the Arts.
The Orchestra Concert, the second of three musical productions in the Festival of the Arts, was performed by students from the Eisenhower Intermediate School, the Hillside Intermediate School, the Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School and the host, Bridgewater-Raritan High School.
The master of ceremonies for this gala showcase was Matt McCarthy, the dedicated Supervisor of Arts Education for the school district.
He was not shy in boasting about the skilled students who occupied the spacious gym floor that evening.
“The outstanding performances tonight highlighted the vitality of our orchestra community,” Mr. McCarthy said. “We have dynamic instructors, a comprehensive seven-year sequence, and a commitment to ensuring access to participation. It’s really very special and something worth celebrating.”
Mr. McCarthy further claimed:
“This is one of the best youth orchestra programs in the state.”
After the National Anthem was brilliantly played by the Bridgewater-Raritan High School Symphony Orchestra, Eisenhower’s 6th Grade Orchestra played under the guidance of conductor Carrie Jendza andHillside’s 6th Grade Orchestra performed under its conductor, Thomas Lewis.
The Middle School 7th Grade Orchestra, under conductor Timothy Nuzzetti, performed and those students were followed by their schoolmates, the 8th Grade Orchestra, which played under conductor Caty Butler.
The three Bridgewater-Raritan High School ensembles—the Ninth Orchestra, the Concert Orchestra and the Symphony Orchestra—all provided sparkling renditions under their conductor, Hsiao-yu Lin (Sherry) Griggs.
The third and final musical performance in the Festival of the Arts, the Band Concert, was presented on Thursday evening, March 27, at the high school’s main gym, Vaughn Stapleton Gymnasium.
The Festival of the Arts had kicked off with the Choral Concert on Wednesday, March 19, at the high school’s main gym.
The Festival Arts will pick up and hold its fourth and final show when the Visual Arts exhibition is held on Thursday, May 22, in the high school cafeteria.
Below are the song titles, performing groups and conductors during the Festival of the Arts Orchestra Concert on March 26.
The Star Spangled Banner
Bridgewater-Raritan High School Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Hsiao-yu Griggs
Dragon Slayer
Eisenhower Intermediate School 6th Grade Orchestra
Conducted by Carrie Jendza
Lost Island
Hillside Intermediate School 6th Grade Orchestra
Conducted by Thomas Lewis
Dragon Dances
Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School 7th Grade Orchestra
Conducted by Timothy Nuzzetti
Night Shift
Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School 8th Grade Orchestra
Conducted by Caty Butler
Blue-Fire Fiddler
Bridgewater-Raritan High School Ninth Orchestra
Conducted by Hsiao-yu Lin Griggs
Danse Bacchanale from "Samson and
Delilah"
Bridgewater-Raritan High School Concert Orchestra
Conducted by Hsiao-yu Lin Griggs
Danzon No. 2
Bridgewater-Raritan High School Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Hsiao-yu Griggs
Here are short video clips of the high school students performing at the Festival of the Arts Orchestra Concert.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UrNYtrSWdXv2ZhfhBmlERCvhvCjXv5hd/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u175tOgg5h19pL05UXAnnmR7v2djqZiz/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y2VoAuFdTUp9opxYzxtlFaZdYAiBqoZ2/view?usp=sharing