On Sunday, December 15th, the Raritan Valley Symphonic Band will present its annual holiday concert “Reflections”. The concert will take place at Bridgewater-Raritan High School (600 Garretson Road in Bridgewater) at 3 PM. Admission to the concert is free.
Artistic Director Dr. Christopher G. Sumner designed the program as a music tapestry of reflections experienced during the holiday season. Dr. Sumner explained that “with the holidays quickly approaching, it’s not uncommon for people to stop and take time to reflect on their lives, families, past, future, hopes, dreams and even fun time.”
The RVSB welcomes soprano soloist Alisha Sheth who will be performing on three selections: “il Bacio” by Luigi Arditi, “Grown Up Christmas List” made popular by Kelly Clarkson, and the traditionally popular Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas”. Ms. Sheth is a senior at NYU studying Vocal Performance with a concentration in Classical Voice under the instruction of Jamon Maple.
RVSB member Frank Amato will also be a featured soloist on Derek Bourgeois’ “Romance for Alto Saxophone”.
Other featured works include:
- Alfred Reed’s “Jubilant Overture”, a standard for concert band music;
- Francis McBeth’s “Kaddish”, based on the Jewish prayer often used by mourners during the bereavement time;
- “Reflections in Moonlight”, based on Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata in honor of his upcoming 250th anniversary; and
- Michael Vertoske’s “Morning Reflections”, a ballad that is both quiet and introspective.
The concert will conclude with two traditional holiday favorites by Leroy Anderson: “Sleigh Ride” and “Christmas Festival”.
The RVSB is a 70 member community band performing at least 5 free concerts annually in its 37th season.
Funding for this performance is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission.
For more information, please visit our website at www.rvsb.org and like us on Facebook!
