Raritan Valley Symphonic Band

Raritan Valley Symphonic Band Concert December 8th

Featuring NY Philharmonic Trombone Soloist James Markey

Click poster to enlarge (requires acrobat reader)

For More Information: Ann Rosenblum, Publicity (908) 766-1575

For Immediate Release: The Raritan Valley Symphonic Band, under the direction of Dr. William Berz, will open their 20th anniversary season with a Holiday Concert on Sunday, December 8th at 3:00 p.m. at Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School. The school is located on Garretson Road in Bridgewater, New Jersey. Admission is free.

Acclaimed trombonist James Markey, Associate Principal Trombone of the New York Philharmonic, will be the featured soloist. Mr. Markey will perform Concertino by Ferdinand David, one of the most outstanding showpieces for solo trombone. The concert will also feature Chorale and Alleluia by Howard Hanson, Galop by Arthur Bird, spirited marches, including a selection by America’s “March King”, John Philip Sousa, and holiday favorites.

Soloist James Markey will also give a master class on Wednesday, December 11th at 7:30 p.m. at Hillsborough High School. The class is sponsored by the Band and will be provided free to the public. Mr. Markey joined the New York Philharmonic as Associate Principal Trombone in 1997. A native of Hopatcong, New Jersey, Mr. Markey was awarded the position of Principal Trombonist with the Pittsburgh Symphony at the end of his second year at The Julliard School, making him the youngest member of that orchestra. He was invited to join the New York Philharmonic after his second season with Pittsburgh. Mr. Markey is also in great demand as a soloist, recitalist and clinician, and maintains an active teaching schedule at The Juilliard School and New York University.

The RVSB is recognized as one of New Jersey’s finest community bands, and is known for always giving its audience “something extra” in each concert. The Band’s conductor, Dr. Berz, is Director of Bands at Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey.

The concert and master class 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 & Heritage Commission through the State/County Partnership Local Arts Program. The Band is sponsored by the Jointure for Community Adult Education and by contributions from local businesses, corporations, foundations and private citizens. For more information about the concert, becoming a sponsor, to request assistance for those with disabilities, or to inquire about joining the Band, consult the Band’s website at www.rvsb.org or call (908) 359-3136.

Program (subject to change)

Directions to Bridgewater Raritan High School: Bridgewater-Raritan High School is on Garretson Road in Bridgewater, New Jersey. From US Highway 202/206 north of Somerville, exit on Commons Way at the Bridgewater Commons mall. Turn West, away from the mall and proceed a short distance until the road ends at the intersection of Garretson Road. Turn left on Garretson Road and go a short distance to the high school, which is on the left. The auditorium is on the East side of the high school, the side toward the mall.