The Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District held its highly popular Festival of the Arts during the last two weeks of March.

The Band Concert was performed on Thrsday, March 27, at the Bridgewater-Raritan High School’s Vaughn Stapleton Gymnasium.

On that evening, band students from Bridgewater-Raritan High School, Bridgewater-Rartan Middle School, Eisenhower Intermediate School and Hillside Intermediate School performed.

The night started with the Star-Spangled Banner performed by the 7th Grade Band from Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School.

The event continued with a joint performance of Rise of the Falcon by the 6th Graders from Eisenhower Intermediate School and Hillside Intermediate School, conducted by Jacob Ulm.

Then, the 7th-grade band from Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School performed Warriors of the 16th Empire, conducted by Dr. Ashlen Udell.

The Incredibles was performed as well by the 8th Grade Band from Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School, conducted by Barron Caromano.

The Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School Wind Ensemble, under Dr. Udell, performed Odyssey for Percussion. The soloists in this piece were Keshav Chary on the trumpet and Dhruva Hebbar on the alto saxophone.

Then, the night continued with the performance of “Choreography” by the Bridgewater-Raritan High School concert band, conducted by Dr. Tom Bourgault.

The Bridgewater-Raritan High School symphonic band performed Flutter, conducted by Franklin Hansen, a student teacher at the high school.

Ending the night, the Bridgewater-Raritan High School Wind Ensemble performed under Dr. Bourgault. The piece that was performed was “La Terra Sacree.” As a way to conclude the night, the Bridgewater-Raritan High School Wind Ensemble performed “The Belle of Chicago” as a transition and exit piece.

Janani Kartigayan, a freshman member of the Bridgewater-Raritan High School Concert Band, shared her thoughts on the event.

“The Band Fine Arts Festival was an incredible experience, filled with energy and unforgettable music. The hard work and dedication from everyone truly paid off, and the performances were beautiful. It was amazing to be part of something that showcased so much talent and teamwork!” she said.

Dr. Bourgault, the Co-Band Director with Nick Mossa for the Bridgewater-Raritan High School Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble, talked about his experience during the lively night.

“The Festival of the Arts is one of the district’s standing traditions where all musicians and artists get to display their work for one another. It is, in truth one of the most memorable events for all of our student musicians, and inspires young students to stick with music through high school,” Dr. Bourgault declared.