The chamber music program at RHS is a special source of pride for the band program.  Each year, our students are offered the opportunity to participate in a variety of small ensembles including percussion ensembles, saxophone quartets, brass quintets, a low brass ensemble, woodwind quartets and quintets, flute ensembles, and virtually any instrumental combination imaginable.  While our exceptional staff coaches all ensembles regularly, the end results are groups which are self sufficient and can communicate, rehearse, and perform on the highest level without conductors.  Chamber ensembles perform on two concerts and at various community locations and events including nursing homes, elementary schools, and Downtown for the Holidays.

Percussion Ensemble - The Ridgewood High School Percussion Ensemble is renowned as one of the premier student percussion ensembles in the tri-state area.  Each year, as many as 20 students participate in multiple ensembles based upon skill level.  The advanced percussion ensemble has been selected to perform at the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center's Young Musicians Concert 10 out of the last 11 years.  Performances include two evening concerts at RHS in addition to a variety of other appearances including Celebration of the Arts and at least one percussion ensemble festival.  The percussion ensemble rehearses on Monday evenings beginning in mid November.

Auditions:  Any student registered for a curricular music class at RHS is eligible to audition for membership regardless of major performing instrument. 

 

Flute Ensemble - The Ridgewood High School Flute Ensemble is a relatively new addition to the RHS Band Program.  Flute Ensemble consists of an advanced quartet, and a large ensemble, which uses instrumentation that includes piccolo, flute, alto flute, and bass flute.  The flute ensemble performs at the two Chamber Music concerts at RHS, while the advanced quartet plays additional performances like Downtown for the Holidays, Celebration of the Arts, Town Council meetings, Board of Education meetings, and a variety of goodwill venues.

Membership in the large flute ensemble is open to all experienced flutists.  Auditions are held for the advanced quartet only.  The Flute Ensemble rehearses on Monday afternoons beginning in late November.

Saxophone Ensemble - This year's Ridgewood High School Saxophone Ensemble consists of an advanced trio, and SATB quartet, and a large ensemble, with instrumentation ranging from soprano to bass saxophone. The saxophone ensembles perform at the two Chamber Music concerts at RHS, while the advanced quartet plays additional performances like Downtown for the Holidays, Celebration of the Arts, Town Council meetings, Board of Education meetings, and a variety of goodwill venues.  This year's RHS Saxophone Trio will audition for the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center's Young Musicians Concert.  Previously, RHS Saxophone Chamber Ensembles had been selected five times to perform at this prestigious event.

Membership in the large saxophone ensemble is open to all experienced saxophonists and rehearses during unit lunch according to the schedules of its members.

Brass Ensembles - The Brass Ensembles at Ridgewood High School vary according to student interest and availability.  Mixed quartets and quintets are often assembled for events such as the annual Veteran's Day ceremony and Downtown for the Holidays, while ensembles of like instruments typically perform for Celebration of the Arts and the Chamber Music concerts at RHS.  Rehearsals are scheduled according to the schedules of members.

Other Chamber Ensembles - Any group of students interested in participating in a chamber ensemble may request to start one.  Recent ensembles have included horn quartets, wind quintets, trumpet trios, and jazz combos.

Chamber Ensemble Faculty:
Alison Crossley - Flute Quartet; Flute Ensemble
Gary Fink - Percussion Ensemble; Jazz Combos
Jeffrey Haas - Saxophone Trio; Saxophone Quartet; Saxophone Ensemble; Woodwind Ensembles; Jazz Combos
Henry Heyzer - Trombone Ensemble; Brass Quintet; Brass Ensembles