CHAMBER ENSEMBLES
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 14 times. 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. In February 2024, the ensemble will perform in California.
Auditions: Any student registered for a curricular music class at RHS is eligible to audition for membership regardless of major performing instrument. Auditions for Percussion Ensemble will be submitted as video recordings through Google Classroom.
Flute Ensemble - The Ridgewood High School Flute Ensemble consists of a large ensemble, withinstrumentation that includes piccolo, flute, alto flute, and bass flute. The flute ensembles performs at the two Chamber Music concerts at RHS and additional performances like Downtown for the Holidays, Celebration of the Arts, Town Council meetings, Board of Education meetings, and a variety of goodwill venues.
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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 Wednesday afternoons beginning in late November.
Clarinet Ensemble - The Ridgewood High School Clarinet Ensemble uses instrumentation that includes Eb soprano, Bb soprano, alto, bass, and contrabass clarinet. The clarinet ensemble performs at the two Chamber Music concerts at RHS and additional performances like Downtown for the Holidays, Celebration of the Arts, Town Council meetings, Board of Education meetings, and a variety of goodwill venues.
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Membership in the large clarinet ensemble is open to all experienced clarinetists. The Clarinet Ensemble rehearses on Wednesday afternoons beginning in late November.
Saxophone Ensemble - This year's Ridgewood High School Saxophone Ensemble consists of instrumentation ranging from soprano to bass saxophone. The saxophone ensembles perform at the two Chamber Music concerts at RHS and additional events like Downtown for the Holidays, Celebration of the Arts, Town Council meetings, Board of Education meetings, and a variety of goodwill venues. Various RHS Saxophone Ensembles have been selected six times to perform at the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center's Young Musicians Concert at Alice Tully Hall.
Membership in the large saxophone ensemble is open to all experienced saxophonists and rehearses on Wednesdays after school beginning in mid November.
Brass Ensembles - The Brass Ensemble at Ridgewood High School uses instrumentation that includes Piccolo Trumpet, Bb Trumpet, Flugelhorn, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium and Tuba. Brass quintets are often assembled if there is student interest. The brass ensembles perform at the two Chamber Music concerts at RHS and additional events like Downtown for the Holidays, Celebration of the Arts, Board of Education meetings, and a variety of goodwill venues.
Rehearsals are typically scheduled during unit lunch at RHS.
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, clarinet ensemble, trumpet trios, and jazz combos.
Chamber Ensemble Faculty:
Patricia Lazzara - Flute Ensemble
TBD - Clarinet Ensemble
Gary Fink - Percussion Ensemble
Jeffrey Haas - Saxophone Ensembles
John Luckenbill - Brass Ensembles
