Raritan Valley Symphonic Band

For Immediate Release: The Raritan Valley Symphonic Band will present its 25^th anniversary “Silver Jubilee” concert on Sunday, March 16th at 3:00 pm in the Bridgewater-Raritan High School auditorium. The school is located at 600 Garretson Road, Bridgewater, New Jersey. Admission is free and open to the public.

The band will recreate the music from its first concert, held back in 1983.  Featured selections include “1812 Overture” by Tschaikovsky, “Festive Overture” by Shostakovich, hits from the Broadway show “The Music Man,” a medley of songs from the 1980s, and Rachmaninoff’s “Italian Polka.”

As a special treat, the band will bring back two of its former directors as guest conductors.  Dr. Jerry Rife, who directed the band from 1998 through 2001, will conduct “Irish Tune from County Derry,” as well as the classic Sousa march “Stars and Stripes Forever.”  Dr. William Berz, who directed the band from 2001 through 2005, will conduct “Men of Ohio March.”

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 25-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 band was the recipient of a 2007 Excellence in the Arts Award from the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission. 

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 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.