Raritan Valley Band Holiday Concert Sunday, December 12

With Marimba Soloist Greg Giannascoli

For More Information: Ann Rosenblum, Publicity 908-766-1575:anngsi@aol.com

For Immediate Release: The Raritan Valley Symphonic Band, under the direction of Dr. William Berz, will present its annual holiday concert on Sunday, December 12^th 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 will ring in the holiday season with featured soloist, world-renowned marimbist Greg Giannascoli.  Performing on his 5 octave rosewood marimba, using up to 4 mallets simultaneously, Giannascoli will play an exciting selection of showpieces with the Band, including the Latin-American favorite, Tico Tico, the ragtime inspired Xylophonia, and the brilliant Flight of the Bumble Bee. The concert will also feature marches of John Philip Sousa in celebration of the 150^th anniversary of the “March King’s” birth, and other classics of the band repertoire, including Robert Jager’s Third Suite, a charming three-movement work full of fun and bright tunes. The second half of the concert will be devoted to Yuletide and Chanukah favorites, including Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride and Christmas Festival and Kenneth Soper’s Chanukah Celebration.  

Marimba soloist Greg Giannascoli has performed extensively as soloist and in recital on four continents, including a solo recital at Carnegie Hall as the winner of the 2001 Artists International Competition.  His performances have been presented on CBC, NPR radio and PBS TV.  Classical New Jersey Magazine hails Giannascoli’s playing as “music played so well it would capture and hold anybody’s attention indefinitely… Giannascoli brings a wealth of musicality to his playing…he shines, rather glows”.

Mr. Giannascoli will also give a marimba master class on Monday, December 13^th at 7:30 p.m. at Hillsborough Middle School (plase note location change!).  Directions to the middle school are given below. The class is sponsored by the Band and will be provided free to the public. A highly sought after teacher, Mr. Giannascoli currently serves as a member of the faculty at New Jersey City University, and many of his talented young students have been accepted to such premier music schools as Curtis, Juilliard and Oberlin.

The RVSB is under the direction of Dr. William Berz, Director of Bands at Rutgers – the State University of New Jersey. Now in its 22^nd season, the Band was recently recognized by the Governor, the State Legislature and the Mayor of Hillsborough for its exemplary efforts in providing the community with entertainment as well as cultural artistry and expression.

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 persons 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.

Directions to Hillsborough Middle School: Hillsborough Middle School is on Triangle Road approx. 1 mile west of US Route 206. From Amwell Road and Route 206, go north on 206 about 2 miles to Triangle Road (Exxon station is on the left just after the Triangle Road intersection). Go west on Triangle Road past the first light. The school is on the left.