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Calling All Composers Ridgewood Friends of Music is launching Its Fifth Annual Song Writing Contest

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, does your child like to write songs/music? Enter our songwriting contest! All school-age students (including post-high school and college) are invited. Go to www.ridgewoodfriendsofmusic.org for details and an application. Deadline is December 1, 2023.

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Ridgewood 7th & 8th Grade District Honor Band put on a fantastic performance on December 21st

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the satff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Fine & Applied Arts Department and Ridgewood Friends of Music once again collaborated on the Ridgewood 7th & 8th Grade District Honor Band. After only a few rehearsals, this group of middle school students, alongside advanced student mentors in the RHS Band Program, put on a fantastic performance on December 21st.

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Ridgewood Friends of Music holds its first annual Emerging Composers Contest

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photos by Ridgewood Friends of Music

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, In 2019 the Ridgewood Friends of Music held its first annual Emerging Composers Contest. There were five categories: Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College, and Adult. Composers were asked to submit an original piece of any genre, style, and length, and scored for any combination of instruments and/or voices. Submissions were received for the middle and high school categories and were judged by local, professional composers and music teachers Kenny Brescia, Jay Friedman, Lisa Plasse, and Joseph Turrin.

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Ridgewood Friends Of Music Presents- Tony Trischka And Blue Plate Special

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Friends of Music presents- Tony Trischka and Blue Plate Special

No Age Minimum
Adults-$25.00—–Seniors-$17.00
Students 11-17-$10.00
Kids 10 and under $5.00
Benefits RPS music programs K-12

purchase tickets at – https://ridgewoodbluegrass.bpt.me

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Ridgewood Arts Foundation – Funding for the Arts Honors Event- Tickets on Sale now!!

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Rdigewood NJ, Gather with your fellow arts enthusiasts for the 2019 Ridgewood Arts Foundation Honors! Enjoy an unforgettable afternoon with wine, hors d’oeuvres, and spectacular performances by this year’s honorees: Mack Brandon & The Connection and the Ridgewood Friends of Music.

Tickets are now available on a limited basis for $80 each. This event sells out quickly, so be sure to reserve your spot early. All proceeds assist the Ridgewood Arts Foundation in its mission to provide funding for the many worthy arts organizations in and around our community.

Featuring Performances By:

Friends of Music and Mack Brandon and the Connection

Buy Tickets
Join Us for Our
2019 Honors Event!

Sunday, January 27, 4:00-6

Sun, January 27, 2019
Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Park West Loft, 30 Oak St. Ridgewood, NJ

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“Ridgewood Music Lives Here” lawn sign

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Ridgewood NJ, Show that you love the music programs in our district – buy a “Ridgewood Music Lives Here” lawn sign today! They’re $10 each, 18” x 24”, and available through the Ridgewood High School Bands website at https://store.rhsbands.org/collections/lawn-signs. Whether you’re a budding musician, seasoned professional or a music lover, you’ll show your spirit. NOTE: March is “Music in our Schools” month – wouldn’t it be cool to see this sign on every lawn in town?! Sponsored by the Ridgewood Friends of Music.

https://store.rhsbands.org/collections/lawn-signs

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Ridgewood Friends of Music present a one-of-a-kind benefit concert ,“Bluegrass Under the Stars”

Tony Trischka

photo of Tony Trischka

May 7,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, On Friday June 9th at 8 p.m. Ridgewood Friends of Music will present a one-of-a-kind benefit concert featuring internationally renowned banjo master Tony Trischka and the locally beloved bluegrass band Blue Plate Special. Surprise guests will join them.

Tony Trischka is one of the most influential banjo artists in the world. His Grammy-nominated album Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular features appearances by banjo luminaries like Steve Martin, Earl Scruggs and Béla Fleck.  In 2007 he was named the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Banjo Player of the Year. His latest album is Great Big World (Rounder Records).  The artist has also been featured on multiple NPR programs like Mountain Stage and A Prairie Home Companion. He produced Steve Martin’s Grammy-nominated album Rare Bird Alert (Rounder Records) that featured Paul McCartney and the Dixie Chicks. A dedicated chronicler of banjo history, Trischka was the Musical Director and Co-Producer of the 2011 PBS documentary, “Give Me the Banjo”.

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Blue Plate Special (Jay Friedman, Dave Gross, James Hempfling, Rob Hecht, Dan Whitener and Tom Wise) plays the kind of music that can make you feel like you’re home wherever you are.  A group of infinitely talented musicians and singer-songwriters, Blue Plate Special performs Americana, bluegrass, and swing. Their latest album, Back By Popular Demand (2016) features fourteen original tunes. Thematically eclectic, the songs will take you on a bluegrass-style journey through life, from the depths of a man’s sorrow, to courtship on a rotary phone. The band has a sense of humor as well; one of the catchiest tunes on the album is a waltzy number about the end of the world. Even if you’ve never heard a lick of bluegrass, a night with Blue Plate Special will make you realize this music was in you all along.

“Bluegrass Under the Stars” will take place outdoors at Graydon Pavilion (rain location GW Middle School). All of the proceeds of this event will go to support Ridgewood Public Schools’ music programs grades K-12. Friends of Music funds music assemblies, helps pay for RHS concert venues, provides showcases and master classes for young musicians, lends financial support to the Ridgewood Summer Music Academy and offers a college scholarship to a graduating senior.

Tickets are $25 online and $30 at the door. Bring your own lawn chair.

Concession stand will be open for the show. Age minimum is 14 and over. Online tickets available at bluegrassunderthestars.brownpapertickets.com

FYI :  The transaction fee is included in that $25 price.
Also, we added a student price–$12
And a senior price–$17

For more information contact: bluegrassunderthestars@gmail.com

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Koren Traditional Dance Performance

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BF Middle School

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Friends of Music is hosting The Korean Traditional Dance of Choomnoori’s performance, “Korean Traditional Dance and Music Night”, on Saturday, May 9th, at 7:00 pm, at Benjamin Franklin Middle School. This event showcases Korean performing arts, and includes traditional musical instruments, dance, martial arts and costumes, in celebration of Asian-Pacific Heritage Month. The event will also feature Ridgewood music students, the Washington Sorichung, and Jang Star Taekwondo. This event is suitable for children. Tickets are $10. Contact Kristen at kiko_plumley@mac.com, or purchase at the door.