Raritan Valley Symphonic Band

Raritan Valley Band Presents A “Star Spangled” Flag Day Concert

Featuring Sax Sensation, Paul Cohen and

Former U.S. Navy Band Conductor, Lt. Commander John Pastin

For Immediate Release: The Raritan Valley Symphonic Band, under the direction of Dr. William Berz, invites the public to a “Star-Spangled” Concert on Flag Day, Friday, June 14 at 8:00 p.m. at Hillsborough High School. The school is located at the intersection of Amwell Road and Raider Boulevard in Hillsborough, New Jersey. Admission is free.

The concert will feature a spirited program that celebrates the rich tradition of the United States, including American Civil War Fantasy by Jerry Bilik, William Schuman’s Chester Overture, selections from West Side Story and Oklahoma, and a medley of themes by master film composer, John Williams. The featured soloist will be acclaimed saxophonist Dr. Paul Cohen, who has appeared and recorded with many of the nation’s top orchestras and wind ensembles, and serves on the faculty of Rutgers University. Dr. Cohen will perform Introduction and Samba by Maurice Whitney. Special Guest Conductor, Lt. Commander John Pastin, Director of Bands at Rowan University and retired Conductor of the U.S. Navy Band, will lead the Band in a portion of the concert, including great American marches.

Recognized as one of New Jersey’s finest community bands, the RVSB is comprised of 70 amateur and professional woodwind, brass and percussion players. The Band combines the traditions of the British brass band and the American town band with the excitement of the 21^st century wind ensemble, performing stirring and entertaining concerts that appeal to all ages. The Band’s conductor, Dr. Berz, is Director of Bands at Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey. A nationally prominent wind ensemble and orchestra conductor and music educator, Dr. Berz is also a widely published author and in demand as a band and orchestra clinician throughout North America.

The concert is 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.

Directions to Hillsborough High School: Amwell Road intersects US Route 206 approx. 6 miles south of
Somerville, NJ. From Route 206, proceed west on Amwell Road to the second traffic light. Turn left on Raider
Boulevard and pass in front of the high school into the parking lot to the left of the building.