Saxophone Spectacular

Season 31, Concert 3 - February 7, 2014 - Saxophone Spectacular

2013-14 CONTRIBUTORS

The Ridgewood Concert Band gratefully acknowledges the support of our donors and subscribers whose generous support makes these programs possible.

BENEFACTOR ($3,000 and above) Mary & Boyd Lowry Lindsay B. Gallagher Cheryl & James Mallen Thomas & Victoria Price Judith & David Maron Konica Minolta Business Solutions Jerrold, Mary A. & Leah Meyer Merrill Lynch Wealth Management/Bank Dorothy S. Neff of America Corp. Mary & Michael Nussear Marcella Phelan PATRON ($2,000 to $2,999) Deloss Schertz & Rose Kraybill Carolyn & Howard Crumb Francis H. Schott Friends in support of new music Richard & Karen Summers Kathleen & Harold Sylvester SPONSOR ($1,000 to $1,999) Plymouth Rock Foundation Kahn & Eva Smith PVH Corporation

SUPPORTER ($500 to $999) FRIEND ($1 to $99) Barbara Abney Bolger Virginia Baird Darel & Michael DePompeo Eileen Beaumel Lawrence & Donna Friedman, in support Michelle & James Dugan of the Ridgewood Concert Band Society Sue & Ira Emanuel Joel Kolk Vicki Fiore, M.D. Charles Lachman & Emily Bliss-Lachman Les & Sue Fox Randy F. Reveley Kenneth Freiband John & Marilyn Wagner Eileen Ginn Judith Widicus Richard F. Hahn Patricia & Frederick Yosca Richard & Katherine Innis Janet Johnston ASSOCIATE ($250 to $499) Donald & Gail Landzettel John Butler Linda Maguire Paul & Carolyn Kirby Desidor J. Maik In memory of Acton E. Ostling Irene Montella Kathleen & John J. Palatucci Barbara Oransky Carol & Neil Sheehan Samantha Price-Koontz Blue Moon Cafe Albert W. Schagen Costco of Hackensack Edward J. Schlamp Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC. Beth Seavers Virginia Sirinides AFFILIATE ($100 to $249) David Sternberg Richard Aumiller Alexander & Deborah Taylor Kenneth & Sarina Bronfin Richard & Jessie VerHage James Demes Andrea & Mark Zettler Sally Fillmore Robert Hennings, Jr. If you are a recent subscriber or donor, we Martha & Jane Huff may have received your name too late to include in this program and we apologize for Fred & Joan Knapp that, but you will be in subsequent programs. Michael J. Kokola Thank you. UPCOMING RCB CONCERTS

March Winds Friday, March 21, 2014 – 8:00 PM

West Side Presbyterian Church, Ridgewood, NJ Dr. Christian Wilhjelm, Music Director

Celebrate New Jersey Friday, May 9, 2014 – 8:00 PM West Side Presbyterian Church, Ridgewood, NJ

______

Printing of this program generously underwritten by Konica Minolta Business Solutions. ______

Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of Saxophone Spectacular State, through grant funds administered by the Bergen County Department of Parks, FEATURED GUEST SOLOISTS Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs. Kenneth Tse, Saxophone ______Lois Hicks-Wozniak, Saxophone The Ridgewood Concert Band would like to thank all of Richard White, Trumpet the many volunteers who have made this concert possible. ______PRELUDE CONCERT - 7:30 PM The Ridgewood Concert Band would like to give a special “thank Paramus High School Honors Wind Ensemble you” to the Pascack Valley Regional High School District. The Mark J. Donellan, Director Pascack Hills High School Band room is our weekly rehearsal site. ______

Friday, February 7, 2014 - 8:00 PM

For additional RCB information, please West Side Presbyterian Church, Ridgewood, NJ

visit our website or scan our QR code:

WWW.RIDGEWOODBAND.ORG Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. is a Proud Sponsor of the Ridgewood Concert Band

WEST SIDE CONCERT SERIES:

Anna Shelest, piano

"... a pianist of fiery sensibility and warm touch."

Sunday, March 9, 2014 - 4:00 PM

West Side Presbyterian Church Ridgewood, NJ www.westsideconcerts.org

RIDGEWOOD CONCERT BAND BOARD OF TRUSTEES

PRESIDENT: Mark Zettler

VICE PRESIDENT: John Wagner

RECORDING SECRETARY: Carol Sheehan

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY: Marilyn Wagner

TREASURER: Neil Sheehan

MEMBERS AT LARGE: Noreen Baer Annette Baron Phillip Biello John Butler Mike DePompeo Lawrence Friedman Carolyn Kirby Kathleen Peters Thomas P. Price Deloss Schertz Beth Seavers

Widely recognized as one of the world’s leading classical saxophonists, Kenneth Tse is certainly one of the instrument’s outstanding proponents on any saxophone aficionado’s short list. He burst on the scene in 1996 as the winner of the prestigious New York Artists International Award, which resulted in an acclaimed debut recital at Carnegie Hall, after which he was hailed as "a young virtuoso" by the New York Times. The Alex Award from the National Alliance for Excellence led to another Carnegie Hall performance. These are but two of the multitude of awards that Tse has garnered in less than a decade and a half. Since then he has been a frequent soloist on five continents, including solo appearances with the Des Moines Symphony, United States Navy Band, Slovenia Army Band, La Armónica Band of Bunol, Spain, Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra and Hong Kong Sinfonietta among others. He is frequent featured artist at events such as the triennial World Saxophone Congress and North American Saxophone Alliance conferences. He has also been a guest clinician at conferences hosted by the California Band Directors' Association, Iowa Bandmaster’s Association, and the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinics. Prestigious universities and conservatories worldwide, such as Moscow Conservatory and Paris Conservatory have invited him to give master classes.

Tse has been an active recording artist since his first CD for Crystal Records at age 23. His discography now includes a total of six Crystal CDs—presenting a wide variety of saxophone repertoire, most of it new, some with assisting artists—as well as six other releases and more in process on RIAX records, Enharmonic records, Arizona University Recordings and MSR Classics. Critical review of these disks have yielded such comments from Fanfare Magazine as "Hong Kong-born Kenneth Tse is of the caliber of instrumentalists whose very sound is captivating," and in American Record Guide, “supremely elegant tone…sheer virtuosity.” Saxophone Journal opined, "Kenneth Tse is a phenomenal saxophonist with incredible technical and interpretive skills. His tone is absolutely lovely. His fingers are precise and rapid. His interpretive skills are excellent having the ability to create vast aural fantasies in the listeners' musical soul. The true magic of music is to take a series of ink blots on a piece of paper and turn them into temporal living entities that almost live and breathe. And…Kenneth Tse is the 'master magician'." As an advocate for new music, Tse has had more than thirty works dedicated to him by notable American composers such as David DeBoor Canfield, John Cheetham, Andrea Clearfield, David Froom, Perry Goldstein, Greg Fritze, Walter Hartley, as well as Luis Serrano Alarcón of Spain, Guy Lacour of France, Barry Cockcroft of Australia and Piet Swerts of Belgium. Tse has recorded and premiered many of these concertos, sonatas, solo works and chamber pieces. His arrangements for the saxophone are published by Reed Music, Australia, and his articles and interviews have been featured in the Saxophone Journal, The Instrumentalist, Fanfare Magazine, Saxophone Symposium, Iowa Bandmaster Association Journal, Japan's Piper and The Sax Magazines, and Yamaha Education Series. Kenneth Tse has received numerous awards and grants including the prestigious Hong Kong Jockey Club scholarship, New York Music Performance Trust Fund, Indiana University Marcel Mule Scholarship, University of Iowa CD Subvention Fund, Arts and Humanities Initiative Grant, Barlow Commission Fund, as well as an honorary life membership from the Contemporary Record Society. In 2009, desiring to give back to his home city, Hong Kong, Tse created the first Hong Kong International Saxophone Symposium which attracted over 70 saxophonists from around the world to join the event. In addition to Tse, Eugene Rousseau from U. of Minnesota and Claude Delange from Paris Conservatory were the faculty members to 12 active participants from three continents. With the tremendous success of the premiere event, Tse has formed the Hong Kong International Saxophone Society as part of an effort to facilitate more interest in saxophone performance as well as to continue hosting the symposium every two years to expose Asian saxophonists to world-class saxophone performers and teachers.

Tse's students have garnered high recognition through competitions and recordings as well as concert appearances. During the 2010 North American Saxophone Alliance National Competitions, Tse's students from University of Iowa won three of the top four awards in the conference's classical competitions (in both solo and chamber music categories), the first time for a single studio to do so in the history of the conference. In the same month, his students also won the top chamber music prize and the second solo prize at the Music Teachers' National Association Competitions. Moreover, to end the academic year, his graduate-student quartet also won the silver medal at the prestigious Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.

Tse is currently the Professor of Saxophone at University of Iowa, President-Elect of the North American Saxophone Alliance, and Vice-President of the International Saxophone Committee. He holds degrees from the University of Illinois, Champaign—Urbana (D.M.A.), Indiana University (B.M., M.M. and Artist Diploma) and Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. He was the first saxophonist to receive the prestigious Artist Diploma from Indiana University School of Music. More information and media clips are available at www.kenneth-tse.com.

Lois Hicks-Wozniak is an active concert Duo Concertante – Mark Engebretson (b.1964) The Duo saxophonist in the New York Metropolitan area and the Hudson Valley Concertante for two alto saxophones is a one movement work region. Among her many awards is the that pits a soaring lyrical theme performed by one soloist Special Presentation Winners Recital against a driving rhythmic theme played by the other. The two Series, sponsored by Artists International Presentations. As her prize, she soloists are then matched against the band. As the music performed her New York Recital Debut progresses, elements of one theme can be heard to invade the at Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall. other. The fun is in listening to see which idea ultimately

From 1996-2004 she served active duty in emerges as the “winner.” Among the special effects are tone the U.S. Army as a saxophonist with the United States Military Academy Band at color changes and quartertones. Tonight’s soloists will expertly West Point and with the West Point Saxophone Quartet. She was a featured soloist demonstrate the high octane energy and over the top at the World Saxophone Congress 2000 in Montreal, where she performed the Glazunov Concerto with the West Point Concert Band. She can be heard on the expressivity necessary to perform the challenge of the West Point Saxophone Quartet CD, Fault Lines, and her performances have been composition while a cadenza will give both soloists an broadcast on New York public radio. opportunity to "strut their stuff."

In November 2007, as a subscription series soloist with the Ridgewood (NJ) Concert Band, she presented the east coast premiere of John Mackey's Concerto for Cuban Overture – George Gershwin (1898-1937) is known Soprano Sax and Wind Ensemble. As artist-in-residence at Mississippi State University, she performed the Mississippi premiere of Dream Dancer for Alto Saxophone and for having the distinction of articulating in music a distinctly Wind Ensemble by Michael Colgrass. She has been a guest of the Ithaca College American sound world. Gershwin was unquestionably a Saxophone Society where she presented a recital and clinic at Ithaca College. master urban musical landscapist. A much-needed vacation to

She is currently principal saxophonist with the Ridgewood (NJ) Concert Band, and Havana in 1932 resulted in a rapturous encounter with Cuban she has performed with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic Orchestra, the Newburgh music. Thus inspired, Gershwin bought a bunch of native Symphony, the Lawton Philharmonic, the Pone New Music Ensemble and the percussion instruments and had them shipped stateside in Dallas Wind Symphony, to include their recording, Fiesta! She maintains an active schedule as a performer and clinician, participating in festivals such as the Hudson anticipation of composing a work incorporating Cuban Valley Bachfest, and appearing as guest soloist with high school, university and musical elements. The Cuban Overture demonstrates his community ensembles to include Northern Valley Regional High School at Old increasing ability to marry traditional European techniques Tappan, the Teaneck Community Band and the Westchester Symphonic Winds. As a freelance musician, she has shared the stage with diverse acts from Manhattan and formal patterns with the rhythms and spirit of Cuba as Transfer to Milton Berle. Additionally, as a vocal soloist she has sung Broadway, filtered through Gershwin’s jazz-age experiences. A profusion pop, country, jazz and light opera selections. of themes dots the musical landscape, running the gamut

An advocate of new chamber music, she and her husband, Matt Wozniak, comprise from exuberant vitality to slow-motion sensuality. The result the saxophone and bass trombone duo, "The Unexpected Duo". Championing is an authentic rhythmic thrill ride. new works for this unique ensemble, they commissioned and premiered Cater Pann's Duo for Alto Saxophone and Bass Trombone at the Eastern Trombone Workshop in March 2011 in Washington, D.C., and at subsequent performances at Program Notes compiled by Marcie Phelan the NASA Region 8 Conference at West Point, NY, March 2011 and the Crane School of Music Saxophone Chamber Music Festival in April 2011. In addition, she is also an adjunct professor of music at Marist College, where she teaches World Music Cultures.

PROGRAM NOTES Dr. Christian Wilhjelm, conductor, professional musician and educator, has been the Ridgewood Concert Band’s Musical Director since it was founded in 1983. He La Forza Del Destino Overture – Giuseppe Verdi (1813- was also Music Director of the renowned Goldman 1901) was to Italian opera what Beethoven was to the Memorial Band in New York City. He regularly conducts the metropolitan area’s leading professional ensembles symphony. He was considered a national treasure, serving as such as the Norwalk Symphony. As a French horn the successor to the great Italian opera composers Donizetti, player, he has performed under the world’s great Rossini and Bellini. Verdi became the most influential opera conductors including Leonard Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa, Sir composer of the 19th century, and during his lifetime also Colin Davis and Arthur Fiedler. became the most monetarily successful. The transcription by R. As a professional musician, Dr. Wilhjelm has played the French horn with the Mark Rogers for concert band reflects the original symphonic Boston Symphony, the Boston Pops and, as a principal, with the Boston Ballet setting. After six unison blasts from the brasses, the overture Orchestra, the Boston Opera Orchestra and the Richmond Symphony. A graduate of the New England Conservatory, he received his doctorate in music opens with a musical idea symbolizing the relentless force that from Columbia University in 1998. carries forward the tragic events of the opera. Fate and destiny are the principle themes throughout the work. The final The Ridgewood Concert Band (RCB), in its 31st season, is one of the leading statement of the “fate” motive is accompanied with a delicate wind ensembles in the United States. Founded by community leaders, dedicated musicians and Music Director Chris Wilhjelm in 1983, the RCB is obligato in the upper woodwinds, and the entire piece is pulled committed to engaging and inspiring our audiences with the finest in traditional together in a stirring finale. and contemporary wind literature. Led by Dr. Wilhjelm, the band is composed of professional, amateur and student players drawn from across the tri-state area. ______Prayer of St. Gregory – Alan Hovhaness (1911-2000) was one of the most prolific 20th-century composers, with his official catalog comprising 67 numbered symphonies and 434 opus numbers. The Boston Globe music critic Richard Buell once wrote: "Although Hovhaness has been stereotyped as a self-consciously Armenian composer, his output assimilates the music of many cultures. What may be most American about all of it is the way it turns its materials into a kind of exoticism. The atmosphere is hushed, reverential, mystical, and nostalgic." The Prayer of St. Gregory was originally cast as an intermezzo in the composer’s religious opera

Etchmiadzin. Saint Gregory, the Illuminator brought Christianity to Armenia around the year 301 A.D. This music is likened to a prayer in darkness. History states that St.

Prelude by the Paramus High School Honors Wind Ensemble

Mark J. Donellan, Director

Courtly Airs and Dances – Ron Nelson

Movement I - Intrada DR. CHRISTIAN WILHJELM , MUSIC DIRECTOR Movement II - Basse Dance

Movement IV - Saltarello PICCOLO SAXOPHONES HARP Tomomi Takamoto Andre Baruch - Tenor Irene Bressler Movement VI - Allemande James Butcher - Alto Pageant – Vincent Persichetti

FLUTES Deanna Loertscher * - Alto, Soprano STRING BASS Jill Bloom Michael DePompeo - Baritone David Marks ------Carolyn Campagna Matthew Salisbury - Alto Carolyn Crumb Jacqueline Sarracco - Alto PIANO Giuseppe Verdi La Forza Del Destino Overture Marissa Fleming Marilyn Wagner Transcribed by R. Mark Rogers CORNETS/TRUMPETS Lisandra Hernandez Jennifer Kasyan Alicia Ali PERCUSSION Heidi Kolb Dave Bychek Tim Burt Soprano Sax Concerto David Kirkland Garner Annette Lieb Brian Fleming Andrew Haderthauer I. Quick Mary Nussear Dave Hurd Charles Lachman * II. Slower Max Taylor * Amanda Innis James Mallen III. Quick Michael Russo Michael Sasson Lois Hicks-Wozniak, Soprano Saxophone OBOES Ann Sirinides John Wagner * * A Preview Premiere Performance * Mary Lou Irvine * Tony Spinuzzi Chris Tarantino Andrea Nowalk (English Horn) Joseph Stella Mark Zettler Nobles of the Mystic Shrine John Philip Sousa Richard White BASSOONS Roger Widicus * * PRINCIPAL Linda Balavram * ______Con-Tse-To, Concerto for Alto Saxophone Gregory Fritze Robert Gray FRENCH HORNS ASSOCIATE CONDUCTORS and Concert Band Jason Stier Meghan Chann John Palatucci I. Pasodoble Melanie Mark Holodak Richard Summers II. Lamento E-FLAT SOPRANO CLARINET Carolyn Kirby * III. Danza Jubiloso Michelle McGuire Bryan Meyer LIBRARIAN Kenneth Tse, Alto Saxophone Deloss Schertz Dave Bychek CLARINETS Jeff Bittner TROMBONES PERSONNEL MANAGER INTERMISSION Lyn M. Lowndes Tom Abbate Richard Summers Joe Mariany Noreen Baer * Michelle McGuire Lloyd de Vries STAGE MANAGER Prayer of St. Gregory Alan Hovhaness Leigh Myers Chris DeWilde Tony Spinuzzi Richard White, Trumpet Marcie Phelan Paul Kirby Jean Roughgarden Keith Marson BOX OFFICE Duo Concertante Mark Engebretson Rachel Schulman Marilyn Wagner Beth Seavers EUPHONIUMS for Two Alto Saxophones Arranged by Frederick Hemke Neil Sheehan Robyn Keyes PARKING DIRECTOR Kenneth Tse, Alto Saxophone Karen Summers John Palatucci * John Hahn Lois Hicks-Wozniak, Alto Saxophone Richard Summers * Donald Van Teyens Stephen Summers WEB ADMINISTRATOR Cuban Overture George Gershwin TUBAS Deloss Schertz Arranged by R. Mark Rogers ASS CLARINETS Michael Gould B Glenn Chernicky Robert Sacchi * ROGRAM DESIGN P *Flash photography and audio or video recording of this concert is strictly prohibited.* Bianca D’Agostaro Larry Zaidan Joseph Stella

Joel Kolk * PROGRAM

Prelude by the Paramus High School Honors Wind Ensemble

Mark J. Donellan, Director

Courtly Airs and Dances – Ron Nelson

Movement I - Intrada DR. CHRISTIAN WILHJELM , MUSIC DIRECTOR Movement II - Basse Dance

Movement IV - Saltarello PICCOLO SAXOPHONES HARP Tomomi Takamoto Andre Baruch - Tenor Irene Bressler Movement VI - Allemande James Butcher - Alto Pageant – Vincent Persichetti

Joel Kolk * PROGRAM NOTES Dr. Christian Wilhjelm, conductor, professional musician and educator, has been the Ridgewood Concert Band’s Musical Director since it was founded in 1983. He La Forza Del Destino Overture – Giuseppe Verdi (1813- was also Music Director of the renowned Goldman 1901) was to Italian opera what Beethoven was to the Memorial Band in New York City. He regularly conducts the metropolitan area’s leading professional ensembles symphony. He was considered a national treasure, serving as such as the Norwalk Symphony. As a French horn the successor to the great Italian opera composers Donizetti, player, he has performed under the world’s great Rossini and Bellini. Verdi became the most influential opera conductors including Leonard Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa, Sir composer of the 19th century, and during his lifetime also Colin Davis and Arthur Fiedler. became the most monetarily successful. The transcription by R. As a professional musician, Dr. Wilhjelm has played the French horn with the Mark Rogers for concert band reflects the original symphonic Boston Symphony, the Boston Pops and, as a principal, with the Boston Ballet setting. After six unison blasts from the brasses, the overture Orchestra, the Boston Opera Orchestra and the Richmond Symphony. A graduate of the New England Conservatory, he received his doctorate in music opens with a musical idea symbolizing the relentless force that from Columbia University in 1998. carries forward the tragic events of the opera. Fate and destiny are the principle themes throughout the work. The final The Ridgewood Concert Band (RCB), in its 31st season, is one of the leading statement of the “fate” motive is accompanied with a delicate wind ensembles in the United States. Founded by community leaders, dedicated musicians and Music Director Chris Wilhjelm in 1983, the RCB is obligato in the upper woodwinds, and the entire piece is pulled committed to engaging and inspiring our audiences with the finest in traditional together in a stirring finale. and contemporary wind literature. Led by Dr. Wilhjelm, the band is composed of professional, amateur and student players drawn from across the tri-state area. ______Prayer of St. Gregory – Alan Hovhaness (1911-2000) was one of the most prolific 20th-century composers, with his official catalog comprising 67 numbered symphonies and 434 opus numbers. The Boston Globe music critic Richard Buell once wrote: "Although Hovhaness has been stereotyped as a self-consciously Armenian composer, his output assimilates the music of many cultures. What may be most American about all of it is the way it turns its materials into a kind of exoticism. The atmosphere is hushed, reverential, mystical, and nostalgic." The Prayer of St. Gregory was originally cast as an intermezzo in the composer’s religious opera

Etchmiadzin. Saint Gregory, the Illuminator brought Christianity to Armenia around the year 301 A.D. This music is likened to a prayer in darkness. History states that St.

Gregory was cast into the pit of a dungeon where he miraculously survived after about fifteen years. In the setting of this work the solo trumpet functions as a cantor or preacher, while the wind band responds as the congregation. Lois Hicks-Wozniak is an active concert Duo Concertante – Mark Engebretson (b.1964) The Duo saxophonist in the New York Metropolitan area and the Hudson Valley Concertante for two alto saxophones is a one movement work region. Among her many awards is the that pits a soaring lyrical theme performed by one soloist Special Presentation Winners Recital against a driving rhythmic theme played by the other. The two Series, sponsored by Artists International Presentations. As her prize, she soloists are then matched against the band. As the music performed her New York Recital Debut progresses, elements of one theme can be heard to invade the at Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall. other. The fun is in listening to see which idea ultimately

RIDGEWOOD CONCERT BAND BOARD OF TRUSTEES

PRESIDENT: Mark Zettler

VICE PRESIDENT: John Wagner

RECORDING SECRETARY: Carol Sheehan

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY: Marilyn Wagner

TREASURER: Neil Sheehan

MEMBERS AT LARGE: Noreen Baer Annette Baron Phillip Biello John Butler Mike DePompeo Lawrence Friedman Carolyn Kirby Kathleen Peters Thomas P. Price Deloss Schertz Beth Seavers

WEST SIDE CONCERT SERIES:

Anna Shelest, piano

"... a pianist of fiery sensibility and warm touch."

Sunday, March 9, 2014 - 4:00 PM

West Side Presbyterian Church Ridgewood, NJ www.westsideconcerts.org

UPCOMING RCB CONCERTS

March Winds Friday, March 21, 2014 – 8:00 PM

West Side Presbyterian Church, Ridgewood, NJ Dr. Christian Wilhjelm, Music Director

Celebrate New Jersey Friday, May 9, 2014 – 8:00 PM West Side Presbyterian Church, Ridgewood, NJ

______

Printing of this program generously underwritten by Konica Minolta Business Solutions. ______

Friday, February 7, 2014 - 8:00 PM

For additional RCB information, please West Side Presbyterian Church, Ridgewood, NJ

visit our website or scan our QR code:

WWW.RIDGEWOODBAND.ORG Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. is a Proud Sponsor of the Ridgewood Concert Band 2013-14 CONTRIBUTORS

The Ridgewood Concert Band gratefully acknowledges the support of our donors and subscribers whose generous support makes these programs possible.