The Bridgewater-Raritan High School Wind Ensemble made its way to the stage at the University of Massachusetts on March 20 to perform music the students had been preparing for several months.
The Win Ensemble performed six pieces, named “The Gridiron Club” by John Phillip Sousa, “Starry Ocean” by Shuying Li, “Shine” by Julie Giroux, “Peruvian Fanfare” by Antonio Gervasoni, “The Sussex Mummers Christmas Carol” by Percy A. Grainger, and “Love and Nature” by Gala Flagello, featuring three movements named “Flower Power,” “Star-Crossed” and “Slow Burn.”
As this opportunity isn’t usually given to many high school bands, with only three high school bands invited this year, the group was elated to know that they were given the chance to perform at their university.
The day started early, with students arriving at around 7 a.m. They left the school at 8 a.m and arrived at the university around noon. They had some time to explore the prestigious university’s campus.
They had a dress rehearsal, where the other band directors gave them tips to improve their music before their actual performance. The performance lasted an hour, longer than any other performances the wind ensemble had given over the course of the year.
The students found this to be a new and useful experience, as it allowed them to understand what musicians do in the professional world while simultaneously showcasing the work they had put in throughout the year.
After performing, they got to converse with their friends over lunch, and also had the opportunity to see the university band perform.
The University of Massachusetts Wind Ensemble performed six pieces under conductor Matthew Westgate. Westgate put together his program with the theme of home in mind.
Students had the privilege of listening to “Unidad en Ritmo” by Michele Fernández, “World O World” by Jacob Collier, Felipe Salles’s “Trem de Prata,” “Lincoln Portrait” by Aaron Copland, and ended the night with “El Chulla Quiteño” by Alfredo Flores. They also performed a piece featuring a Jazz Quartet with Felipe Salles on soprano saxophone, Jeffrey Holmeson piano, Keala Kaumeheiwa on bass and Gen Yoshimura on drumset.
With the four-hour bus ride, students were able to finish any homework, rest, socialize or chill amongst themselves before and after their performance. Students enjoyed this experience immensely, along with the news of the band getting into the state gala, from their CJMEA performance not long before.
Senior Lahari Thota shared her thoughts on the experience.
“The chance to get to perform at the University of Massachusetts was really exciting, because they don’t offer it to all high schools. I enjoyed performing with my friends, and the advice the judges gave during our dress rehearsal helped us a lot. Overall, this experience was truly worth it!” she said.
Dr. Thomas Bourgault, one of the directors of the high school band, shared his thoughts on the day.
“Acceptance into this prestigious event, cosponsored by The College Band Directors National Association and the National Bandmasters Association at the University of Massachusetts, was not as much a competition as it was a celebration of the musical excellence that our students regularly perform with. We were greeted by several university conductors, graduate students, and professional educators who commended our musicianship, recognized our artistic sensitivity, and were so incredibly pleased with the sound of the ensemble and the manner with which we carried ourselves. The ensemble performed well in the professional atmosphere, and the recognition the students earned as a result is second-to-none. Congratulations, Wind Ensemble!” he said.
The students look forward to their performance at the New Jersey State Band Gala on April 26 at William Paterson University.
