Raritan Valley Symphonic Band

The Raritan Valley Symphonic Band, under the direction of Larry Markiewicz, will present a concert, “Pops Around the World” on Friday, June 8th at 8:00 p.m. in the Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School auditorium. The school is located at 425 Foothill Road (at Merriwood Road), Bridgewater, New Jersey. Admission to the concert is free. 

Concert highlights include Finlandia, a tone poem composed by Jean Sibelius in 1899 as a statement of Finnish independence, as well as Folk Dances from Dmitri Shostakovich’s Motherland, a festive piece “filled with the joy of the Russian people”. The program will also include The Engulfed Cathedral by impressionist Claude Debussy, and Clifton Williams’ Symphonic Dance No. 3 “Fiesta”, with melodies described by the composer as “the pageantry of Latin-American celebration”.  The Band will play spirited marches, including Radetzky March by Johann Strauss, as well as the classic Stars and Stripes Forever March by John Philip Sousa.

The RVSB is under the direction of Larry Markiewicz, who is a Director of Bands at Bridgewater-Raritan High School in Bridgewater, New Jersey.  Additionally, he has been a guest conductor and clinician with many groups, including wind bands, student leadership seminars, and the top competitive drum and bugle corps worldwide. The RVSB is an adult symphonic band with its volunteer membership drawn from central New Jersey and the surrounding area. The Band has a rich 23-year history and has become known for its tradition of bringing quality music to the community, frequently featuring some of New Jersey’s most talented soloists, and providing free and accessible music education outreach to the community.

The concert is 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 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.