The Bridgewater-Raritan High School held its annual Concert in the Round Program on November 18, providing students with the opportunity to see the school’s concert band, symphonic band and wind ensemble.

Students were allowed to see their performances with the permission of their teachers to miss their class, since it was held during the school day.

The Concert Band started the program early in block one, playing their pieces “Rhythm Machine,” by Timothy Broege; “American Riversongs,” by Pierre Laplante; “Air For Band,” by Frank Erickson; and “The Great Locomotive Chase,” by Robert W. Smith. “Air for Band” and “Rhythm Machine” are both pieces that are played every year from each concert band, making it memorable for upperclassmen to see the next generation take part in it. Each piece was around four to six minutes long.

The Symphonic Band played right after during block two, performing their pieces “Autobahn,” by Ryan George; “Furuasto,” by Teiichi Okano; “Two Venezuelan Dances,” by Federico Villena; and “Snarl,” by John Mackey. All their pieces were an average of three minutes long.

The Wind Ensemble performed at the end of the day, during block seven, performing their pieces: “Symphony No.1 ‘The Lost Letters’” by Andrew Cote and “Suite in E Flat For Military Band” by Gustav Holst, which were separated in three different movements, titled “Chaccone,” “Intermezzo” and “March.” 

The band was also scheduled to perform two other pieces, titled “Down a Country Lane,” by Aaron Copland and “Starry Ocean,” by Shuying Li; however, due to an unexpected fire drill, the band was unable to perform them due to time constraints.

All ensembles worked diligently since school started in September to practice and rehearse these pieces for their peers to enjoy throughout the school day. It was a great way for students to see the members of the ensemble in person, including people who may not be visible on stage during a usual concert performance. 

Vidushi Agarwal, a freshman who is part of the concert band, discussed her experience at her first concert in the round. 

“It was super cool to see what a concert band can sound like in the future. I also found it nice to hear the upperclassmen bands play since this was my first time hearing them play,” she said.

Viraaj Marathe, a senior in the wind ensemble, shared his thoughts on his last concert of the round.

“It was nostalgic to hear ‘Air for Band,’ a piece that every concert band plays at concerts in the round. I also found it fun to play music and share it with other band members and parents,” he said.

The band program looks forward to continuing performances like this through the school year. Their winter concert will be in January.