Raritan Valley Symphonic Band

The Raritan Valley Symphonic Band will be hosting a master class given by jazz musician Art Martin on Wednesday March 28 from 7:30pm to 9:15pm in the Hillsborough High School band room. The school is located at 466 Raider Boulevard, Hillsborough, New Jersey. The focus of the class will be on woodwind doubling, which is switching from one instrument to another during performances. Students are encouraged to attend, and are invited to bring their instruments. Admission is free and open to the public.

Art Martin taught in the New Jersey public schools for over 35 years. In 1998, he received a Distinguished Service Award from the New Jersey Music Educators Association for his years of dedication to music education. In collaboration with musical director Rufus Reid and Philip Thomas, Mr. Martin organized the Jazz For Teens Program at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. In addition to being an adjunct professor at Montclair State University, he teaches jazz improvisation at the Middlesex Arts High School/Middle School, conducts the Hackettstown Community Band and also teaches sax, clarinet, flute and jazz improvisation privately. Mr. Martin has performed professionally with Benny Golson, Don Braden, Dizzy Gillespie, The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, and The Platters and currently leads his own big band, The Art Martin Orchestra.

The next RVSB concert, "Made in America", will be held on Sunday, April 22 at 4pm at Bridgewater Middle School. 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 a 70-member 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 master class 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 master class, becoming a sponsor, advertising in concert programs, 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.