WEST ESSEX KNIGHTS PARTICIPATE IN AREA & REGION ENSEMBLES

The 54th Annual North Jersey Area Band Concert was held at Mount Olive High School on Sunday January 14, 2018. As previously posted, five students from West Essex successfully auditioned for the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band.  The ensembles were conducted by Professor Heidi Sarver, Professor of Music at the University of Delaware, and Mr. Rich Barrieres, Director of Bands at Jefferson Township High School, respectively.

Left to Right: Sidan Ngo (Region & Area); Brian Shields (Region & Area); Catherine Marino (Area); TJ Viola (Region & Area); Gabriel Ruszala (Region & Area)

Further, the following students successfully auditioned for North Jersey Region Band:

• TJ Viola – French Horn – Symphonic Band, 2nd Chair
• Gabriel Ruszala – Trombone – Symphonic Band, 7th Chair
• Brian Shields – Euphonium – Symphonic Band, 2nd Chair
• Sidan Ngo – Mallets – Wind Ensemble, 3rd Chair

As we’ve previously said, successfully auditioning for a chair in these ensembles is no small feat; the West Essex Band Boosters applaud your efforts, as well as all those who auditioned! The Region Band Concert will be held on January 28, 2018 at 3:00pm at Parsippany Hills High School. Visit NJSMA.com for more information. Come on out for an afternoon of great music and support our talented students!

Congratulations to all!

HIGH SCHOOL CONCERT BAND AND SYMPHONIC WINDS ENTERTAINS WITH FAMILIAR TUNES

The West Essex High School Annual Winter “Pops” Concert was held on Thursday January 11, 2018, and the Concert Band and Symphonic Winds, conducted by Mr. Fabrizio, did not disappoint.  Familiar songs such as Music from Wicked arranged by Michael Sweeney (Concert Band) , and West Side Story, arranged by Jay Bocook, and Highlights from Le Miserables, arranged by Johnnie Vinson (Symphonic Winds) were played, as was an entertaining selection of Jazz tunes by the Jazz Quintet comprising TJ Viola, Zach LiVecchie, Ahren Alberto, Jack Cunningham and Ethan Miskulin.

A light reception was provided following the concert by the West Essex Band Boosters, where concertgoers, musicians and staff had the opportunity to mingle and enjoy light refreshments.

Congratulations to all!

JOIN US THURSDAY JANUARY 11, 2018 FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL BAND WINTER CONCERT!

The Winter Concert, featuring Mr. Anthony Fabrizio and the West Essex High School Concert Band and Symphonic Winds, will begin at 7pm in the High School Auditorium. Please join us immediately following the Concert in the cafeteria for refreshments, provided by the West Essex Band Boosters. Break through those winter doldrums and come out for an evening of music and entertainment!  See you there!

FIVE WEST ESSEX STUDENTS SUCCESSFULLY AUDITION FOR NORTH JERSEY AREA BAND

The West Essex Band Boosters congratulate the following West Essex High School musicians for successfully auditioning for the North Jersey Area Band ensembles earlier this month!  Obtaining a seat in these ensembles is no small feat and requires months of practice and preparation, as well as determination and drive. We applaud your efforts!

• Catherine Marino – Alto Sax – Symphonic Band, 1st Chair, 2nd Player
• Sidan Ngo – Mallets – Symphonic Band, 1st Chair
• Gabriel Ruszala – Trombone – Wind Ensemble, 3rd Chair
• Brian Shields – Euphonium – Wind Ensemble, 1st Chair
• TJ Viola – French Horn – Wind Ensemble, 1st Chair

And congratulations to all those who auditioned. Keep your chin up, stay focused, and give it your all next time around!

The Area Band Concert will be held on Sunday January 14, 2018, 3:00pm at Mount Olive High School.  Come on out and support our students!  For more information on North Jersey Area Band, click on the logo above.

A FINAL PERFORMANCE ON THE BIG STAGE

The West Essex Marching Knights bring their 2017 Season to an official close with their final Masquerade performance at Met Life Stadium as the West Essex Football Knights win the Section 2 Group 3 State Championship over Voorhees in an outstanding game on Saturday December 2, 2017.

A BIG thank you to all of the parents who helped out throughout the season for pit crew, home football game hospitality, building props, organizing the end-of-season dinner, and of course, the TOB Chapter X Championships!

And an even BIGGER thank you and congratulations to Mr. Fabrizio, the Marching Knights, and the entire staff for a fantastic season… we can’t wait to see what is in store for the Fall of 2018!

CATHERINE MARINO PERFORMS WITH THE “MACY’S GREAT AMERICAN MARCHING BAND” IN THE  NYC THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE!

Junior Saxophonist, Catherine Marino, performed with Macy’s Great American Marching Band in the 2017 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Catherine auditioned earlier this year after Mr. Fabrizio shared information about the program with the Band classes. She joined 184 musicians and 40 color guard and dancers representing each State in the US.  

The Band enjoyed a full week of rehearsals and touring in NYC (a first for many who have never been to New York).  The week culminated in a 2:30am report time on Thanksgiving morning – in full uniform – for a 4:30am dress rehearsal at Herald Square in front of the flagship Macy’s store.  And then the 9am step-off down Central Park West towards 6th Avenue.  Congratulations Catherine!

FALL CONCERT HELD NOVEMBER 14 – THE FIRST OF THE 2017/2018 SCHOOL YEAR!

Congratulations to Mr. Fabrizio and the students of the Concert Band and Symphonic Winds for a fantastic Fall Concert, held at the West Essex High School Auditorium on Tuesday November 14, 2017. The large audience of family and friends were treated to a wide variety of music, ranging from Three Ayers from Gloucester by Hugh M. Stuart to Two British Folksongs by Elliot del Borgo to Arrows of Lightening by Marco Puetz, among several other pieces. Both ensembles performed admirably, after only two months since the school year began!

And thank you to the West Essex Band Boosters for providing hospitality after the concert, where concertgoers, musicians and staff had the opportunity to mingle and enjoy light refreshments.

Coming Up!  WEBB Meeting on December 4 – Don’t miss this opportunity to discuss fundraising ideas and much more for the remainder of the school year!

JOIN US TUESDAY NOVEMBER 14 FOR THE FIRST CONCERT PERFORMANCE OF THE 2017/2018 SCHOOL YEAR!

The Fall Concert, featuring Mr. Anthony Fabrizio and the West Essex High School Concert Band and Symphonic Winds, will begin at 7pm in the High School Auditorium. Please join us immediately following the Concert in the cafeteria for refreshments, provided by the West Essex Band Boosters. See you there!

The Curtain Closes on Masquerade’s Competitive Season with a Bittersweet Final Performance at Hershey

Despite the rain and a pre-dawn, 5:30am departure from West Essex, the Marching Knights provided a thrilling final competitive performance at the Atlantic Coast Championships for Group 2 Open at Hershey Stadium in Hershey Pennsylvania.  With a score of 89.4, the Knights brought home a Bronze Award among a highly competitive class of Marching Bands from across the region, including states stretching from the New York Metro area to Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. Their performance brings to a close the 2017 Competition Season that was equally moving, exciting, inspiring and challenging.  A huge congratulations to the Marching Knights, Mr. Fabrizio, and the entire Staff for a fantastic season!

Thank you to all of the Band Parents who made their way to Hershey – either by the “Hershey Express” or on their own – the West Essex crowd was loud and energizing!

And a special thank you to the Parents of the PIT CREW for once again showing what teamwork is all about!

Good Luck West Essex Marching Knights!

West Essex will take the field in Competition one last time this season on November 5 at the Tournament of Bands Atlantic Coast Championships at Hershey Park!  The West Essex Band Boosters wish them the best of luck!! They are all Champions to us!!