The RHS Wind Ensemble earned a gold rating and the RHS Symphonic Band earned a silver one at the 24th Annual North Jersey School Music Association (NJSMA) Region 1 High School Concert Band Festival, held at Mount Olive Middle School on Thursday, March 20.
The Wind Ensemble’s gold rating also secured the band an invitation to perform at the prestigious New Jersey State Gala Concert at TCNJ on Sunday, April 27. This sought-after achievement will give the RHS ensemble another opportunity to perform with other top state bands.
“We have been working on these pieces for months, and the hard work paid off,” senior percussionist Roanna Buan said. “We’re happy to earn gold and earn a spot at the gala.”
The Concert Band Festival where both RHS bands earned their top ratings is an annual event that allows high school bands to showcase their talents while competing against other North Jersey-based bands.
“Our students put in a lot of time and effort on this music, and it paid off,” RHS Band Director Nicholas Fantazzi said. “We are very proud of how our students performed at this year’s Region 1 Concert Band Festival.”
The RHS bands worked tirelessly to perfect the two pieces they performed at the festival. The first, “Second Suite in F” by Gustav Holst, is a lively piece that highlights horn players and wind soloists. The second, “To Gently Serenade” composed by Richard L. Saucedo, is a tune that evokes spring, filled with various solos to emulate birds singing.
“[It was] fun playing in front of a big audience, and performing well made the experience a lot better,” said sophomore Everett Palumbo, who plays alto-saxophone.
