MIDDLE SCHOOL CONCERT BAND AND JAZZ ENSEMBLE EACH TAKE FIRST PLACE AT DORNEY!

Mr. Fitzke and the Award Winning West Essex Middle School Concert Band

Under the direction of Mr. Rick Fitzke, the West Essex Middle School Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble performed flawlessly at the Music in the Parks Festival in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on Friday May 11, 2018, each collecting a First Place trophy and Superior rating!  

The Concert Band was selected as BEST OVERALL instrumental music group for the day, and received a special award for Best Trombone Section!  The Jazz Ensemble won Best Rhythm Section, as well as Best Soloist Awards for Brian Mintz (Alto Sax) and Andrew Marino and Lucas Sabol (Vibraphone and Piano).

The students then enjoyed a spectacular day at Dorney Park to celebrate their accomplishments!  Congratulations to Mr. Fitzke and these talented young musicians, and we look forward to welcoming the 8th graders to the High School Band Program next Fall!

GABRIEL RUSZALA SUCCESSFULLY AUDITIONS FOR NJ ALL-STATE JAZZ ENSEMBLE!

Gabriel Ruszala

Freshman Gabriel Ruszala successfully auditioned for the New Jersey All-State Jazz Ensemble on Monday, May 7th. Gabriel is one of only three trombone players accepted into the group this year. The All-State Jazz Ensemble is a highly selective ensemble made up of the top auditioned students from the entire of state of New Jersey.

Gabriel is a member of the West Essex HS Symphonic Winds, Marching Knights, Jazz Knights and won in auditions for both New Jersey Region and Area Band over the course of this school year.

Congratulations Gabriel!

THIRTEEN WEST ESSEX MUSICIANS PERFORM WITH HONORS ENSEMBLE

Back L to R: Tom Egan, Warren King, Ahren Alberto, Nick Stampone, Willie Noto, Catherine Marino, Lea Bachenheimer, Mr. Fabrizio; Front L to R: Gabriella Benevenga, Yasmin Cardoso, Isabella Bonvini, Kiana Bronder; Not Pictured: Anthony Fermo, Julia Zon

Thirteen West Essex High School Band members were nominated to participate in the 2018 Essex County Honors Band, an ensemble of over 100 outstanding musicians from nine High Schools across Essex County.  The concert was held on Wednesday April 25, 2018 at West Essex.

Dr. Joseph Higgins, Director of Bands for Rowan University, conducted various pieces which included Flourish for Wind Band, by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Salvation is Created by P. Tschesnokaoff, Simple Gifts by Frank Ticheli, and Cafe 512 by Ryan George.

The West Essex Band Boosters provided healthy snacks for all the students during their full day rehearsal at West Essex, preceding the concert. Congratulations to all!

ENSEMBLE EARNS A SCORE OF 94 TO PLACE FIRST IN INDOOR PERCUSSION CHAMPIONSHIPS

Indoor Percussionists receive the 1st Place trophy and banner at the USBands Indoor Championships

The West Essex Indoor Percussion Ensemble won 1st Place at their Championship competition held at South Brunswick High School on April 8, 2018.  The group earned a score of 94 in Scholastic A Standstill Percussion to finish at their highest this season!

Congratulations to all the musicians and instructors Ms McAloon and Mr. Gerbasi!

Visit the US Bands website for more information on this competition and click here to see more pictures on our Photos page!

WEBB HOSTS MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS DINNER FOR HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND STUDENTS

In celebration of Music in Our Schools Month, WEBB hosted its annual pasta dinner for the students of the West Essex High School and Middle School Bands.  The dinner, which was held before the Concert on Tuesday March 27, 2018, was a huge success, as students from 7-12 came together for pasta, salad, dessert and other refreshments.

The dinner is a great opportunity for students to interact and build camaraderie.  The well-fed Band Members, along with students from the High School and Middle School Orchestras and Choirs did not disappoint a large audience in the High School Gymnasium with a terrific performance that culminated in a moving combined finale of “America the Beautiful” by all ensembles.

Congratulations to all, and we’re looking forward to next year! Visit our Photos page for some additional MIOS dinner pics.

ENJOY DINNER AT CHIPOTLE AND SUPPORT THE WEST ESSEX HIGH SCHOOL BAND PROGRAMS!

On Tuesday March 13, 2018 between 4pm and 8pm, dine at Chipotle at 749 Bloomfield Avenue in West Caldwell, and Chipotle will donate 50% of the proceeds to the West Essex Band Boosters!

Click here to download and print the flyer, show it on your smart phone, or simply tell them you are supporting WEBB and you’ll help us help the students of the West Essex High School Band Programs!

Hey, you have to eat!  You might as well make it count!

Tell your family and friends, share it on Facebook, Twitter, and even old fashioned phone calls, and make the most out of this fantastic WEBB Fundraiser!!

CONCERT BAND AND SYMPHONIC WINDS REHEARSE WITH SECTIONAL COACHES

On February 26 and 27, 2018, Concert Band and Symphonic Winds students enjoyed the opportunity to work with professional musicians as they prepare for the New Jersey High School Region 1 Concert Band Festival to be held at West Essex on Thursday March 22, 2018. As Mr. Fabrizio described in his recent email, these outside coaches, sponsored by the West Essex Band Boosters, specialize in their respective instruments, and our students received highly skilled small group instruction over the two nights. The sessions proved to be a fantastic experience for our young musicians!

Coaches included:

Mr. Greg Mulford leads Saxophones and Clarinets at Monday night’s Sectionals

Percussionists work with Mr. Erik Lynch

THIRD PLACE AT MORRISTOWN COMPETITION

Winter Guard brings home third place at Morristown

Congratulations to the West Essex Winter Guard for placing third at the Morristown competition at Morristown High School on Saturday February 10, 2018!  The next competition will be held on Saturday March 3, 2018 at South Brunswick High School (750 Ridge Road, South Brunswick, NJ).  The Knights will perform at 11:15am.  Come on out and cheer on our Winter Guard!

SECOND PLACE AT HILLSBOROUGH COMPETITION

West Essex Winter Guard started off the competitive season in strong fashion bringing home a 2nd Place Trophy at the Hillsborough competition at Hillsborough High School on Saturday February 3, 2018.  Weeks of practice culminated in a strong performance – and it’s just the start!  The next competition will be held on Saturday February 10, 2018 at Morristown High School (50 Early Street, Morristown NJ).  The Knights will perform at 5:30pm.  Come on out and support the Guard!

Winter Guard Places 2nd at Hillsborough Competition

And get ready for Indoor Percussion – their first competition will be on Saturday February 24, 2018…watch this space for details!

PLUS, NORTH JERSEY REGION CONCERT HELD ON JANUARY 28!

ALL STATE

TJ Viola, French Horn

The West Essex Band Boosters congratulates TJ Viola on his successful audition for the New Jersey All State Symphonic Band!  As Mr. Fabrizio shared in his recent announcement, acceptance into the New Jersey All State Band is the highest achievement for a high school musician in the state. TJ will join other highly talented musicians in a concert at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on February 24, 2018 at 3pm.  The Symphonic Band will be directed by Jerry Luckhardt, Associate Director of Bands at the University of Minnesota.  Congratulations TJ!

REGION

Also, as previously announced, TJ and three other West Essex High School Musicians were accepted into the North Jersey Region Bands – Gabriel Ruszala, Trombone, Symphonic Band; Brian Shields, Euphonium, Symphonic Band; and Sidan Ngo, Mallets, Wind Ensemble. The Region Concert was held on January 28, 2018 at Parsippany High School. Dr. Justin Sedatole, Director of Bands, Professor of Music and Chair of the conducting area at the Michigan State University College of Music, conducted the Wind Ensemble, while Mr. Jeffery Bittner, Director of Bands at Mahwah High School led the Symphonic Band.

Congratulations to all!