Ridge High Winter Concert Features Bands and Orchestras

The Ridge High Music Department presents its 2010 Winter Concert on Thursday evening December 16 featuring four separate band and orchestra ensembles.  The concert takes place at 7 pm at the Ridge High Performing Arts Center in Basking Ridge.

Band director Mr. Dan Zugale will lead the 67 member Concert Band in four works:

(1) "Dialogues" by Michael Sweeney – a series of conversations between various instruments

(2) "Balladair" by Frank Erickson – a beautiful melody written in a modern dance style

(3) "Sorcerer's Apprentice" by Paul Dukas - featured on the Walt Disney film "Fantasia"

(4) "Be Thou My Vision" arranged by Larry Clark - based on the ancient hymn and folk song "Slane" which originated around 400 A.D.

The Wind Ensemble, with 46 students selected through audition, will also perform four works:

(1) "The Earle of Oxfords Marche" by William Byrd – the opening movement from "The William Byrd Suite" arranged by Gordon Jacob

(2) "October" by Eric Whitacre – a modern piece commissioned in 2000 by the Nebraska Wind Consortium

(3) "Concertino for Percussion and Band" by Clifton Williams which was commissioned by the founder of the Ludwig drum company in 1909

(4) "Russian Sailors Dance" by Reinhold Gliere – a lively, energetic dance based on a popular Russian folk tune.

The Combined Bands conclude the band portion of the concert with Leroy Anderson's "Christmas Festival", which combines tunes from the secular and religious celebration of the holiday.

Orchestra director Ms. Jennifer Curran will lead the 45 member Chamber Orchestra in a performance of Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Rhosymedre", a beautiful piece originally composed for organ.

The 65 member Symphony Orchestra will perform three works:

(1) "Sleigh Ride" by Leroy Anderson – a classic holiday melody

(2) "Festive Sounds of Hanukkah" – a medley of Hanukkah songs arranged by Bill Holcombe

(3) Nutcracker Suite #1 by Peter Tchaikovsky – the orchestra will perform six movements of this classic piece

The Combined Strings will perform George Friderich Handel's "Concerto Grosso in E Minor Opus 6, Number 3". 

The grand finale features the combined orchestras performing the last movement of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite: "Waltz of the Flowers".

Admission is free, but $3 donations will be accepted at the door.