James Garde - Marching Band Director, Jazz Assistant
James Garde was a member of the Ridgewood High School Marching Band from 1989 to 1992, and graduated from RHS in the spring of 1993. He graduated Magna cum Laude with a degree in Music Education from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia in 1998. Since then, James has returned to RHS to work with the Marching Band as a woodwind specialist, a marching and maneuvering instructor, the assistant band director, and is now entering his fourth season as the Marching Band Director. He is proud to continue to be a part of the RHS Marching Band tradition and experience, and very excited to be working with this season's students.
In the world of marching band, James is also the staff music arranger and consultant for both the Midland Park High School and Indian Hills High School Marching Bands.
He is also looking forward to being involved with the Jazz Program at RHS again this year working with the sax sections, and can be seen in the area appearing with several rock groups, the New Jersey Saxophone Ensemble, the pit orchestras for several high school musical productions, and as a musician and volunteer with the Youth Ministry Program at Church of the Presentation in Upper Saddle River.
James directs the band program in grades 4 through 8, and teaches the video production classes in the Carlstadt Public School in Carlstadt, NJ.
