May 26,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, On Thursday, June 2, Ridgewood High School’s Symphonic Band, Concert Band and Wind Ensemble will officially open the Kasschau Memorial Shell’s 2016Summer Season with “Tunes in June,” a concert of light and popular music. The concert will begin at 8PM and will also feature a ceremony to honor graduating seniors from the band program.
The Symphonic Band’s program will include Michael Story’s To Honor, Thank and Remember, “dedicated to the men and women who won World War II,” as well as Meet the Beatles, a medley of early Beatles hits, and The Marches of John Williams. The Concert Band will perform several pieces; including music from the animated features How to Train Your Dragon and The Lion King as well as an original work entitled Bright Lights. The Symphonic Band and Concert Band will be co-conducted by directors John Luckenbill and Jeffrey Haas.
Having just performed as part of Ridgewood’s Memorial Day observance, the Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Jeffrey Haas, will focus on celebrating the contributions of graduating senior band members. Senior Brooke Maskin will lead the band in The Stars and Stripes Forever, as she continues the tradition of having the outgoing Drum Major conduct the band for the final time, while senior flutist, Stephanie Pizza will be the featured soloist, performing the Carmen Fantasie while accompanied by the band. Seniors Erin Gioia, Helen Cho, Robert Schablik and Connor Haycock will all play solo parts in the world premiere of Under the Stars, a new work by Chris Bernotas commissioned by the RHS Band Association written to highlight some of the band’s most outstanding senior musicians.
The traditional highlight of “Tunes in June,” will come when all 30 seniors are brought to the front of the band shell stage to be recognized for their four years of service and outstanding contribution to musical life at Ridgewood High School.
The Ridgewood High School Band Program is Bergen County’s largest, comprised of more than 230 students who participate in no fewer than 15 varied musical ensembles. The curricular bands, marching band, jazz ensembles, chamber ensembles, winter color guard and twirlers have been acclaimed locally, regionally, and nationally for superior performance. Individually, members of the Ridgewood High School bands are chosen annually to perform in honor ensembles at the county, regional and state levels. Graduates of the RHS Bands have participated in music programs at the most prestigious conservatories and universities in the country, and many have gone on to successful professional musical careers.
“Tunes in June” begins at 8PM and admission is free. In the event of rain, the concert will be held at the Ridgewood High School Campus Center. This concert is sponsored by the Kasschau Memorial Shell Committee. For more information, contact Jeffrey Haas at (201) 670-2800 x20639, via email at jhaas@ridgewood.k12.nj.us or visit the band’s website athttps://rhsbands.org.
