The Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District community will be treated to three concerts in March, when the signature event of the Visual and Performing Arts program is performed.
The school district’s Festival of the Arts will showcase three musical concerts in March—the Choral Concert on Wednesday, March 19, the Orchestra Concert on Wednesday, March 26, and the Band Concert on Thursday, March 27.
The Visual Arts Show, the fourth and final event in the Festival of the Arts, will be exhibited on Thursday, May 22.
Each of the three musical performances in March will be staged in Bridgewater-Raritan High School’s Vaughn Stapleton Gymnasium and will commence at 7 p.m.
The Visual Arts Show in May will be displayed in the high school’s cafeteria and will begin at 6 p.m.
Matt McCarthy, the school district’s Supervisor for Arts Education, will deliver the welcome before each concert in March.
He shared his feelings about these highly popular productions that will attract a large crowd each evening at Bridgewater-Raritan High School.
"I am thrilled that we have finally arrived at another Festival season. The Festival of the Arts is an extremely special District-wide event. It is the only opportunity students of different grade levels and experience have to perform side by side,” Mr. McCarthy said.
The grade level for the opening night of the Festival of the Arts–-the Choral Concert–-will have students perform from the seven primary schools, the two intermediate schools, the middle school and the high school.
Kimberley Ladson and Elizabeth Kane will serve as the conductors for the 4th Grade Festival Chorus, while Anthony Sgro and Madison Kaminsky will conduct the Eisenhower Intermediate School and Hillside Intermediate School Festival Chorus.
Gabriele Hingelberg will be the conductor for the Middle School Choir and Lisa Rotondi will serve as the conductor for the High School Choirs. James Cicchino will conduct the closing blessing, which the combined district groups will perform.
A week later, on March 26, intermediate, middle school, and high school musicians will occupy the floor in the spacious gym when the Orchestra Concert is played.
Hillside’s 6th Grade Orchestra will be conducted by Thomas Lewis, and Eisenhower’s 6th Grade Orchestra will be guided by Lisa Gaudet.
Caty Butler will serve as the conductor for the Middle School 8th Grade Orchestra and Middle School Chamber Orchestra, and Emma Piedilato will conduct the Middle School 7th Grade Orchestra.
Hsiao-yu Lin (Sherry) Griggs will conduct the High School Ninth Orchestra, High School Concert Orchestra, and the High School Symphony Orchestra.
Capping the three musical productions will be the Band Concert on March 27.
Jacob Ulm will be the conductor for the Hillside and Eisenhower 6th Grade Band.
Ashlen Udell will serve as the conductor for the Middle School 8th Grade Band and Wind Ensemble, and Barron Caromano will conduct the Middle School 7th Grade Band.
The evening will conclude when conductor Nick Mossa guides the High School Concert Band and High School Symphonic Band, and Dr. Tom Bourgault conducts the High School Wind Ensemble.
Mr. McCarthy is confident that the Festival of the Arts in 2025 will be another sound event.
“ I am extremely proud of the hard work that our instructors and students will showcase at these events. It will without a doubt be a memorable experience.”