Raritan Valley Symphonic Band

The Raritan Valley Symphonic Band, under the direction of Dr. William Berz, will ring in the holiday season with its annual winter concert on Sunday, December 7 at 3:00 p.m. at Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School. The school is located at the intersection of Garretson and Country Club Roads, in Bridgewater, New Jersey. Admission is free.

The concert "Tidings of Joy" will feature holiday music from Europe, including Russian Christmas Music, by Alfred Reed, Farandole from L'Arlesienne Suite No. 2 by Georges Bizet, (Longfield arrangement), Overture in C by Charles Catel, written in 1793, and one of the earliest pieces ever written for band, Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride, and other holiday favorites. Clarinetist Maureen Hurd, a rising star who has appeared as soloist, chamber musician and orchestral clarinetist in concerts throughout the United States, Canada and Germany, and serves on the music faculty at the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, will be the featured soloist. Ms. Hurd will perform Introduction, Theme and Variations by Rossini, one of the most outstanding showpieces for solo clarinet.

Soloist Maureen Hurd will also give a master class on Wednesday, December 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Hillsborough High School. The class is sponsored by the Band and will be provided free to the public.

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, the master class, 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.

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.