Now in its 16th season, the RVSB is comprised of 75 amateur and professional musicians and is recognized as one of New Jersey's finest community musical groups. Dr. Rife, who will make his premier appearance as the Band's new Conductor, says the concert is "an outstanding opportunity to hear band music in the Sousa tradition."
"Our concert theme is American Masters," says Rife. "Much of the program will be music by some of the nation's greatest composers." The Band will perform the spiritual Deep River, William Schuman's Chester Overture, based on a Revolutionary War camp song, the score of Jerome Kern's Show Boat, a classic of the American musical stage, Charles Ives' Variations on America, and Sousa marches including The Stars and Stripes Forever.
Soloists on the concert program will be flutists Ann Rosenblum and Carter Dreves who will play the Arioso from Bach's Cantata 156. They will be joined by the band's entire flute section for a flute choir performance of Silver Bells. The concert will conclude with such holiday favorites as Sleigh Ride, White Christmas, and Leroy Anderson's A Christmas Festival.
"Since its founding, the Raritan Valley Symphonic Band has developed into a fine musical organization, one with which I am proud to be associated. The RVSB helps to keep quality band music alive in New Jersey and this holiday concert is going to be one of our best," concludes Dr. Rife.
Dr. Rife was chosen as the new Conductor by RVSB members upon the retirement its founder and director, Dr. Anthony Isch, who continues to serve as its Director Emeritus. Dr. Rife is Professor of Music and Chair of the Music Area at Rider University, Lawrenceville, New Jersey. In addition he is a professional jazz and classical clarinetist, author of numerous articles on band music and was the Associate Producer of the acclaimed public television documentary, "If You Knew Sousa", for the PBS series, The American Experience.
The Raritan Valley Symphonic Band is sponsored by the Jointure for Community Education and is supported by the New Jersey Council on the Arts and with donations by New Jersey corporations and private citizens.
| Star Spangled Banner | John Stafford Smith/Schissel |
| Chester Overture | William Shuman |
| Sabres and Spurs March of the American Cavalry |
John Philip Sousa |
| Deep River | Arr. James Swearingen |
| Selections from Show Boat Dandies on Parade Where's the Mate for Me? Why do I love You? Cotton Blossom You are Love Make Believe Can't Help Lovin that Man Ol' Man River |
Jerome Kern/R. R. Bennet |
Intermission
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| Franklin D. Roosevelt March | William H. Woodin |
| Sleigh Ride | Leroy Anderson |
| White Christmas | Irving Berlin/R. R. Bennet |
| Variations on America | Charles Ives/W. Shuman |
| A Christmas Festival | Leroy Anderson |
| Stars and Stripes Forever | John Philip Sousa |
Directions to Montgomery High School:
Take US Route 206 South from Somerville or North from Princeton, NJ. Turn West at the light on Sunset Road (approximately 4 miles south of Amwell Road or 7 miles north of Princeton). Go 0.9 miles to Burnt Hill Road and turn left. High school is on the left. Auditorium is in the rear.