2012 Bergen County Band

1992 Bergen County Band

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A unique anniversary

In 1992, I was the guest conductor for the Bergen County Band. I had been teaching for 10 years, it was the fifth year of the band’s existence, and it was my second guest conducting appearance with an honor band. Teddi Sotiropoulos was the manager, and Mark Donellan (now Band Director at Paramus High School) and Matt Bilyk (now Jazz Band Director and Asst. Marching Band Director at my school, Northern Valley-Old Tappan) were members of the band. (Don’t worry, I’ll post the photo on Facebook and be sure to tag Teddi, Mark, and Matt, in case you can’t find them in the photo! I’m pretty easy to spot on the far right — the guy with the coat & tie, and hair!)

Now, twenty years later, I’m the guest conductor for the 2012 Bergen County Band. It’s the 25th anniversary performance of the band, I’m the first conductor to be invited for the second time, and I couldn’t be prouder. I have 12 of my own NVOT Concert Band and Wind Symphony students in the group, and there are 15 students in the band who were members of the 50th anniversary North Jersey Junior Region Band in 2010, which I also conducted. The concert tomorrow is sold out, and the program includes five of my favorite works for wind band:

• Smith/Stamp – The Star Spangled Banner (this arrangement written in response to 9-11)
• Hazo – Ride
• Whitacre – October
• Williams – Symphonic Dance #3, “Fiesta”
• Sousa – The Gallant Seventh March

Since 1992, I have been fortunate to have worked with amazing students and colleagues, and I feel I have really grown as a conductor. This is a significant guest conducting opportunity, and I feel very fortunate. I am especially grateful to Evan Cooper, the festival coordinator, and Mark Donellan, band manager, for their help this week. No project of this magnitude is possible without their dedicated efforts. I’m also grateful to the 12 sectional assistants who volunteered on Monday to run sectionals, and really made an incredible difference in our rehearsal progress: Patty Barlow, Mark Donellan, Rob Quinn, Jeff Bittner, Teddi Sotiropoulos, Greg Mulford, Joann Lamolino, Tim Rausenberger, Matt Bilyk, Matt Tracey, Paul Scott, and especially Nick Rosolanko, who assisted as Percussion Coordinator all week.

Good stuff all around, and I am looking forward to a great performance!