JULY 3, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY EILEEN LA FORGIA
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Ridgewood music legend Warren Grim, is being honored with a Tribute Concert Under the Stars on Tuesday, July 7 at the Kasschau Memorial Shell. The beloved founder of the Ridgewood Village Band died last September at 91.
“It seems fitting that his life and legacy be remembered in this special way,” said John Palatucci, music director of The Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus of Ridgewood. This week marks the 56th anniversary of the Village Band’s first concert at the shell. Many of Grim’s students, former students and other community-minded players became members of the band playing for the annual 4th of July celebration and also on every Thursday evening to large and enthusiastic audiences. Grim directed the band for more than 30 years.
The tribute concert will feature performances by the Orpheus Club as well as by their guests, The Ridgewood Choral and The Ridgewood Concert Band.
The program beings with five pieces by Orpheus: “The Star Spangled Banner,” “America the Beautiful,” Frank Sinatra’s “Come Fly With Me,” “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from “Carousel” and “We Sing As One” by Richard Lane, who had been the accompanist for Orpheus for 42 years.
Ridgewood Choral will sing “Aint Misbehaven,” “Duetto Buffo di due Gatti” by Rossini, “Music of the Night” from “Phantom of the Opera” and “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat” from “Guys and Dolls.”
In choosing the program, Palatucci and Ridgewood Concert Band director Chris Wilhjelm thought, “What would Warren choose for a summer concert band – Broadway show tunes, great old classical overtures, marches, of course and patriotic music.”
Ridgewood Concert Band will play five compositions: John Phillip Sousa’s “The Invincible Eagle March,” followed by “Italian Girl in Algeria” by Rossini, then “Shenandoah.” “Pennsylvania Polka” was a special request by Grim’s wife Elisa, since he was born in Bethlehem, Pa. “Old Comrades March” by Teike honors Grim’s parents who served in the U.S. Army in World War 1. His father was a sergeant and his mother was an Army nurse.
