The Raritan Valley Symphonic Band, under the baton of new conductor Dr. William L. Berz, will perform a free holiday concert 3 p.m. Sunday at Hillsborough High School.
Dr. Berz, director of university bands at Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, has accepted the position as musical director of the Raritan Valley Symphonic Band, succeeding Dr. Jerry Rife, who resigned after three concert seasons with the band in order to pursue his career as a professional clarinetist and music educator.
The RVSB will perform two major works for wind band, Gustav Holst’s "Second Suite for Military Band in F Major" and Norman Della Joio’s "Variants on a Mediaeval Tune."
The featured soloist will be Scott Mendoker, who will be performing Richard Strauss’ "Concerto no. 21 for Horn" adapted for the tuba. Mr. Mendoker has performed with the New York Philharmonic, the Bavarian Radio Orchestra, the Montreal Symphony, the New Jersey Symphony, the Boston Pops, the New York Pops and in the Broadway hit musical "Ragtime." A resident of Chatham, Mr. Mendoker has also performed and recorded with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony as well as in concerts with many leading musical organizations such as the renowned United States Army Band (Pershing’s Own). This will be Mr. Mendoker’s second appearance with the RVSB.
In addition to classical band works, the concert program will include festive holiday music and a sing-a-long followed by a reception for the audience and performers.
A nationally prominent symphonic conductor, Dr. Berz conducts the renowned Rutgers Wind Ensemble and has served as conductor of the New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra, New Jersey Youth Symphony, New Jersey All-State Orchestra and is assistant conductor of the Jupiter Symphony and Naumberg Orchestra, both of New York City.
He has also produced numerous acclaimed recordings of classical and new wind ensemble works and earned the Outstanding Teacher Award from the Rutgers College Parents Association. A 1994-1995 Lilly Endowment Fellow, Dr. Berz is editor of the Journal for the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles.
Concerts by the Raritan Valley Symphonic Band are made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment of the Arts and administered by the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission through the State/County Partnership Local Arts Program. Funding has also been made possible in part by a grant for the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission and Forbes Inc. through the SCC&HC mini-grant program. The band also is supported by contributions from local businesses, corporations, foundations and private citizens.
