Bridgewater-Raritan High School students who had been accepted into the Central Jersey Music Educators Association (CJMEA) Regional Band performed alongside students from other schools at the annual CJMEA Regional Band Concert that was held at Watchung Hills Regional High School on January 14.
CJMEA, a division of the New Jersey Music Educators Association (NJMEA), is an organization that gives band, orchestra and choir students from Central New Jersey the opportunity to audition and perform in higher-level music ensembles alongside other qualified students.
In the CJMEA Band, there are two ensembles into which students are placed by their audition performance: the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble, with the latter being of higher caliber. Given the competitive nature of these ensembles, those who get accepted are able to challenge themselves musically, meet others with similar passions and perform with directors currently leading collegiate-level ensembles.
This year, the Symphonic Band, under the direction of Dr. Janet Kim, the Director of Wind Bands at the University of Connecticut, performed “Solar Flare Fanfare” by Salvador Alan Jacobo, “Australian Up–Country Tune” from Percy Grainger (arranged by Glen Bainum), “Wilderness” by Cait Nishimura, “Shimmering Sunshine” by Kevin Day and “Illumination” by David Maslanka.
Following the expertise of Dr. Travis Cross, director of bands at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), presented “Chester” by William Schuman, “Memento” by Dr. Cross himself and “Of Our New Day Begun” by Omar Thomas.
Performing under the tutelage of conditioned, esteemed and spirited directors allows for those who qualify for these ensembles to expand their horizons and provide similar-minded high school musicians with new musical knowledge, creating an environment where musical enthusiasm can thrive.
Looking ahead, CJMEA Region Band qualifying musicians are eligible to audition for the NJMEA All-State Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble, auditions for which took place on January 20. Students who qualified will be performing on Friday, February 23, and Saturday, February 24 at Atlantic City Convention Center and New Jersey Performing Arts Center, respectively.
