The Raritan Valley Symphonic Band was founded in 1984 by Dr. Anthony Isch, former Director of Bands at the College of New Jersey. In 1998, Dr. Isch became the Band’s Conductor Emeritus, handing the baton to Dr. Jerry Rife, Professor of Music at Rider University, who served as the Band’s Music Director through June 2001. Our next Music Director, Dr. William Berz, Director of Bands at Rutgers University, led the band from 2001 until 2005. The band's current director is Larry Markiewicz, who directs the band at Bridgewater-Raritan High School.
The Band currently has approximately 75 members, who represent a cross-section of musical society, including professional musicians and music educators, as well as amateur musicians ranging in age from high school through retirees. The purpose of the band is to contribute to the musical environment of the community, to provide an outlet for individual musical expression and growth among our members, and to affirm the community concert band position in American music.
The Band is proud of its tradition of supporting New Jersey artists, and bringing outstanding guest soloists and conductors to perform in our concerts. Recent soloists have included James Markey, trombonist with the New York Philharmonic; cornetist, Bryan Appleby-Wineberg; tuba soloist, Scott Mendoker; saxophonist, Paul Cohen; and clarinetist, Maureen Hurd. Guest conductors have included Chris Wilhjelm, conductor of the Goldman Band; Chief Master Sergeant Edward Teleky, Drum Major of the US Air Force Band; and Lt. Commander John Pastin, US Navy Band (ret.). For its 20th anniversary in 2004, the Band commissioned its first work, MetaMarch by Steven Bryant, which is now being published by BCM International. The Band is also committed to continuing music education for the community. As part of its outreach program, the Band sponsors master classes and master band clinics with its guest soloists and guest conductors, which are offered without charge to area music students and adult musicians.
Rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings, from 7:30 – 9:15 pm at Bridgewater-Raritan High School. Our seasons have historically run from September through June, with weekly rehearsals except for the last two weeks in December and when rehearsal space is unavailable due to school closings. Our concert schedule normally includes three formal concerts a year, in December, March and June, at Hillsborough High School, Bridgewater-Raritan High School, or neighboring communities, and one or more local, outdoor concerts in the late spring and early summer. For the past two years, we have added a children’s concert to our schedule, conducted by Jennifer Eidel, the Band’s assistant conductor. Admission to all concerts is free.
The Band's programs are made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and administered by the Somerset County Cultural & Local Arts Program. The Band is a tax-exempt organization and welcomes donations, either corporate or personal. Contributions may be sent to us at
Raritan Valley Symphonic Band
P.O. Box 6064
Hillsborough, NJ 08844
Please contact rvsb@verizon.net for more information.
The Raritan Valley Symphonic Band is committed to making its programs and concerts accessible to everyone and will provide reasonable accommodations to any person with disabilities upon reasonable notice. Please contact rvsb@verizon.net to arrange for any needed assistance in advance of arriving for a performance or rehearsal. Large-print programs are available at the concerts.