The Bridgewater-Raritan High School Band Program had the honor of serving as the host to the Central Jersey Music Educators Association 28th Annual Region II Concert Band Festival on Tuesday, March 17.
This prestigious event was not held at the high school; instead, it was held in the auditorium at the Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School.
Students from the high school band program arrived early to help organize and set up the event area. Schools that joined Bridgewater-Raritan, such as Westfield High School, Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, New Brunswick High School, North Hunterdon Regional High School, and Arthur L. Johnson High School from Clark.
Each band had the privilege of having three well-known adjudicators listen, comment, and grade each performance.
Dr. Daniel Cook, an assistant professor at Ithaca College, was one of the esteemed adjudicators. He works with the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps, which demonstrates his dedication to the art.
Recently retired founding director at Virginia’s Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School, Donald Magee, was another judge who adjudicated the bands. He was a music educator for 39 years and taught at various high schools.
The third judge, Michael Pote, spent 35 years in music education and retired as Director of Bands at Carmel High School in Indiana. The high school band program has a multitude of concert bands, jazz ensembles, and more.
The night started with an outstanding performance from the Bridgewater Raritan Symphonic Band conducted by Nicholas Mossa in Division II. They played all three movements of Fairest of the Renaissance Faire by Erika Svanoe. This was followed by a beautiful performance of Everglow by composer Copley.
Emma Buckelew, a sophomore in the Bridgewater Raritan Symphonic Band, shares her thoughts.
“I really enjoyed attending the CJMEA festival! I always like to listen to other bands and meet other students from different schools who have the same interests as me.”
Once the Division II performances were over, the bands from Division I performed. This included performances from many revered bands from various high schools. Each band was graded based on a rubric.
The night was filled with many memorable performances that students will remember for years to come. Food was served to students, and they had the opportunity to watch and listen to many different high school bands in the region.
The Bridgwater Raritan Wind Ensemble brought a resounding finish to the night. Conducted by Dr. Thomas Bourgault, the Division I wind ensemble played Flower Power, Star-Crossed, and Slow Burn, the movements of Love and Nature composed by Gala Flagello.
They ended the night with a fantastic performance of “Shine” by Julie Giroux, which drew thunderous applause.
The Bridgewater Raritan Wind Ensemble has been invited to perform at the New Jersey State Band Gala on April 26, at William Paterson University.
Senior Rishita Kalambkar, who is a part of the Bridgewater Raritan Wind Ensemble, reflects on her last CJMEA Concert Band Festival of her high school career.
“This CJMEA festival was my last, and I truly enjoyed playing Love and Nature and Shine with my friends. These two pieces are my favorites among the ones we are currently playing. It was really amazing to hear all the other bands and listen to so many different pieces.”
