May31,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, On Friday, June 8, the Ridgewood High School Band Program will host a picnic barbecue to welcome alumni band members back to RHS, and to offer good luck wishes to the 34 members of the band who will graduate from the high school later this month. The event will be held on the RHS Front Lawn from 5 – 7PM and is free to band members, alumni and their families.
The band has had a long tradition of honoring its senior members with a reception following their final performance at the annual “Tunes in June” concert. In 2015, that reception was moved to a date following the concert to encourage greater attendance. The band had also established an annual fall tradition of welcoming former band members back to Ridgewood as alumni, but with the football team no longer playing on Thanksgiving morning, the band lost its traditional pre-game “Breakfast with the Band” alumni gathering. Now, with the hundredth anniversary of the band just a few years away, the band directors are making a concerted effort to connect with band alumni. It is hoped that the Friday evening date in June will allow for both celebrations to take place concurrently.
All current band members, seniors, alumni and their families are invited to attend the Alumni Welcome Back & Senior Send Off Barbecue, which will feature hamburgers, hot dogs, and other traditional picnic fare, including vegetarian and gluten free options. Admission to the event is free, thanks to the generous support of the RHS Band Association, Inc. However, those planning to attend must RSVP to be placed on the list for admission. To RSVP, please complete the response form at https://tinyurl.com/RHSBBQ18 or complete the RSVP form on the band’s website at www.rhsbands.org.
For more information, contact Jeffrey Haas at (201) 670-2800 x20639 / jhaas@ridgewood.k12.nj.us or John Luckenbill at (201) 670-2800 x20744 / jluckenbill@ridgewood.k12.nj.us.