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Larry Markiewicz to Direct Somerset Valley Orchestra

By Bengels & Agins
Larry Markiewicz joins the Somerset Valley Orchestra as its musical director as of January 2011.  The orchestra, whose members hail from all over Central Jersey and span many years of musical experience, is excited about resuming rehearsals for its new season under the baton of this experienced conductor.
Larry Markiewicz is one of the band directors at Bridgewater-Raritan High School in Bridgewater, NJ. Over the past 12 years, Mr. Markiewicz has been a guest conductor and clinician with many groups in America, Japan, and England. His expertise ranges from Wind Band Conducting, to running leadership seminars for students, to teaching some of the top competitive drum and bugle corps in the world. In 1996 in Atlanta Mr. Markiewicz instructed the brass ensemble that played a large part of the Olympic closing ceremonies by playing the famous John Williams Fanfares throughout the evening.
Mr. Markiewicz’s groups have always performed with a very high level of excellence, as his band program prides itself on giving its students a “well rounded” quality experience of music performance and training. In recent years Mr. Markiewicz has conducted the Central Jersey Region II band, and has flown around the country to help other programs prepare for their state festivals in Florida, Delaware, and South Carolina. He also has lent his ears during a couple of the Rutgers University Wind Ensemble recording sessions with composers such as Bruce Yurko and Eric Whitacre present during those recordings. In England, Mr. Markiewicz has been named the first honoray member of the British Youth Band Association (BYBA) and has guest conducted the staff band at the Pontins Music Festival 6 times in the past 10 years.
Mr. Markiewicz holds a degree in Music Education from TCNJ, and has studied conducting with Daniel Spalding, and Dr. William H Silverstor (TCNJ), he has recently attended symposiums run by Dr. Robert Franzblau (Rhode Island College), and Dr. Alan McMurray (Colorado State University).
Away from his rigorous professional schedule, Mr. Markiewicz loves to spend time at his home in Somerset, NJ with his beautiful wife Donna. Together they enjoy spending time following their favorite sports team (Yankees) and of course enjoying their close families that also live in central New Jersey.
The orchestra meets on Thursday evenings and welcomes new and returning members. Further information about the orchestra can be found at the website, www.somersetvalleyorchestra.com
Attached please find a photo of Larry Markiewicz.