civicband.bloomfieldfm.org

Our next concert will take place on March 11, 2012 at 3pm!

Opie — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:55:00 +0000

Program

Martha Boughner, Guest Conductor

First Suite in E-flat Gustav Holst

1. Chaconne. 2. Intermezzo. 3. March

Jesus Christ Superstar Andrew Lloyd Webber

1. Hosanna, 2. I Don’t Know How To Love Him

3. Superstar

Kimberly Mesiti, Mezzo Soprano Sings Gershwin

1. But Not For Me

2. Embraceable You

3. I Got Rhythm

4. Someone to Watch Over Me

5. Over The Rainbow from The Wizard of OZ – Harold Arlen

6. I Dreamed A Dream from Les Miserables Claude – Michel Schoenberg

Band Selections

Elsa’s Procession To the Cathedral from Lohengrin Richard Wagner

The Blues arranged by Sammy Nestico

1. Blues In The Night, 2. Birth Of The Blues, 3. Limehouse Blues

Saint Louis Blues March William C. Handy arr Jerry Gray

Les Miserables Selections Claude-Michel Schoenberg

1. At The End Of The Day, 2. I Dreamed A Dream, 3. Master Of The House,

4. On My Own, 5. Do you Hear The People Sing

About our Guest Soloist:

Kimberley Mesiti is a resident of Bloomfield and Cantor at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. Although she started piano lessons at age seven, Kim considers her voice her first musical instrument. Kim started singing behind closed doors at home with her favorite records blasting throughout the house. After being bitten by the Musical Theatre “BUG” in her 9th Grade production of Barnum as the Blues Singer, she soon realized that the stage is where she needed to be. To finish off her high school theatre training, she went on to play Fastrada in Pippin and Rosie DeLeon in Bye Bye Birdie and began formal singing lessons at age 16.

Kim attended William Paterson University where she studied voice with Nan Guptill Crain and earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree. After college she went on to work with various teachers and coaches in both the Classical and Musical Theatre styles. Kim felt it was important to keep her foot in both genres of music and went on to play some of her favorite roles: Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, The Witch and The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Violet Hilton in Side Show and MARTHA in The Secret Garden. In 2005, Kim spent the summer at the New London Barn Playhouse in New London, NH where she played the roles of the Narrator in Joseph… Dreamcoat, Patricia Fodor in the Gershwin musical Crazy for You and Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast. Her favorite performance of the summer was for writer and composer Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pocahontas, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Children of Eden). As an alumnus of the playhouse himself, the show was a tribute to his life and accomplishments which included singing the hit song ‘Defying Gravity’ from his hottest Broadway musical show Wicked.

Kim strives to be an actor as well as a singer incorporating the art of Song Interpretation into her work. Developing character and believability is very important. She has studied with various private acting coaches and at TVI Actor’s Studio in NYC. Performing in different venues, Kim has also done some Cabaret work in NJ and showcases in NYC. Her future plans include checking off her “bucket list” of favorite and challenging roles, and further Cabaret study which will build into a show she will someday perform in NYC.

About our Guest Conductor:

Martha Reed Boughner has been involved with music since her first clarinet lesson in 4^th grade. After teaching for 30 years with the Music For America and Future Musicians, Inc. programs in the parochial schools of NJ, she now owns her own business, Genesis Music Program, teaching in six local Catholic schools. She appeared as clarinet soloist with the Lansdowne Symphony and Lukens Steel Band in Pennsylvania, and the New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra in NJ. Her performing groups have included the above organizations, as well as the Plainfield Symphony, Summit Symphony, the Garden State Concert Band, Hanover Wind Symphony, NJ Workshop in the Arts Concert Band, and the Bloomfield Civic Band. She plays currently with the Silver Starlite Orchestra, a 40’s –style big band, and subs with several of the above-mentioned groups.

Ms. Boughner holds a bachelor’s degree from Douglass College, and master’s degrees in music, education and theology from Syracuse University, Rutgers University and Drew University. Any spare time is spent playing golf, reading, or sleeping!

Bloomfield Civic Band Continues Musical Tradition

Opie — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:21:22 +0000

Click Here for Full Article by Michelle Lee for Patch.com

The Bloomfield Civic Band has been a community mainstay since 1946. Its members hail from communities throughout Essex, Bergen, Passaic, Hudson, Union, Morris and Sussex counties. Credit Michelle Lee

Dominick Ferrara III, of Bloomfield, has been the conductor of the Bloomfield Civic Band since 1972. Credit Michelle Lee

Tuba players performing in the Bloomfield Civic Band. From left, Marc Bernstein, of New Providence, Union County, Bob Norman, of Butler, Morris County, and Milton Fitzgerald, of Bloomfield. Credit Michelle Lee

Dominick Ferrara III, of Bloomfield, has been the conductor of the Bloomfield Civic Band since 1972. Credit Michelle Lee

The Bloomfield Civic Band has been playing music since its founding in 1946. In the center left, Patrick Walsh, of Passaic County, plays the euphonium. The musicians from the back row include drummer Peter Davis, of Bloomingdale, Passaic County, Marjorie Catania, of Bloomingdale, Kristen Gennings, of Bloomfield, Doug Fine, William Anderson, Richard Abate, of Wayne, and James Bogle of East Brunswick. Credit Michelle Lee

The flute section of the Bloomfield Civic Band. From center left, Heather Evers, of Caldwell, Emily Jones, of Bloomfield, and Gail Berkshire, of Pompton Plains, Morris County. Credit Michelle Lee

By Michelle Lee

To some people, band music is merely a pastime. To others, however, it can be a way of life.
The Bloomfield Civic Band has delighted audiences for decades with a mixture of marches, patriotic music, classical works and other pieces.

The band will perform tonight at 7 p.m. outside the Bloomfield Public Library, located at 90 Broad St. in Bloomfield. The event is free and open to the public.

The group was founded in 1946 by then township Recreation Commissioner C.A. “Doc” Emmons as an opportunity for adult musicians and returning World War II veterans to perform.

While the organization has undergone many changes over the years in terms of players, the tradition of performing public concerts and the Monday rehearsals still remains the same, conductor Dominick Ferrara III said.

The Bloomfield Civic Band currently has about 45 members and they come from various parts of Essex, Hudson, Passaic, Bergen, Morris, Union and Sussex counties.

Ferrara, who has been the conductor since 1972, compares the civic band to a family. He knows everyone within the group and all of the players are friendly with one another. “Even though we play music, it’s like a Monday night ritual,” he said about practicing inside Bloomfield Middle School.

The civic band’s performance year spans from September to July with indoor and outdoor concerts. In December, the band collaborates with Miss Roseanna’s School of Dance for a holiday performance.

Ferrara, 72, of Bloomfield, said he tries to keep the musical repertoire as varied as possible and no two concerts are alike. Trademark band pieces, such as John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever,” can be played in the same program as selections from the Broadway musical “Cabaret” and the opera “Merry Wives of Windsor.” Other notable pieces the band has performed include the 1812 Overture, a tribute to George M. Cohan and suites by Gustav Holst and Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Paul Alongi Sr., a tenor sax player and president of the civic band, has played in the group for 36 years and performed with other professional bands for 63 years. Alongi, 78, calls the civic band “the second love of my life. I love to play and Dominick does a great job with selection,” Alongi said. “A lot of music is a challenge and when you’re a musician, you like to play up to the challenges. You’re playing everything and it’s good for you because you learn to play and sight-read everything.”

Alongi also highlighted the wide diversity of musical groups within the township, which include the Bloomfield Youth Band, the Bloomfield Chorale, the Bloomfield Symphonic Orchestra and the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra.

“If you look across the country, we’re one of the oldest running community bands – 64 years. It’s anomaly you have a municipality with a band and so many groups,” Alongi said.

Ferrara said the group is always looking for new members, especially musicians who play the French horn, euphonium, trombone and clarinet.

Rehearsal Information

Opie — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 03:14:40 +0000

The Civic Band rehearses on Mondays at 7:45pm in the Bloomfield Middle School – 60 Huck Road in Bloomfield, NJ.

Here is a list of our rehearsal dates for 2012:

January 9, 23, 30
February 6, 13, (20 at the Civic Center), 27
March 5, 12, 19, 26
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
May 7, 13, 21
June 4, 11, 18

If you’re interested in joining the band, please contact our conductor, Dominick Ferrara at CW4DJF@aol.com.

Bloomfield Federation of Music Playbill 2011-2012

Opie — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 15:13:00 +0000

Holiday Concert on Dec 4th at 3pm

Opie — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:31:46 +0000

The annual Bloomfield Civic Band Holiday Concert will be taking place at the Bloomfield Middle School on December 4th at 3pm.

All are welcome to attend and enjoy some holiday cheer! Santa always makes an appearance so the kids will be in for a surprise!

Selections performed by the Civic Band:
Dominick Ferrara III, Conductor

“Farandole” from L’ Arlesienne Suite – George Bizet
“Sleigh Ride” – Leroy Anderson
“And the Mountains Echoed: Gloria”– Robert Longfield
“Fireside Christmas” – Sammy Nestico
“Hallelujah Chorus” – George Frederick Handel
“The Night Before Christmas” – Clement Clarke Moore
Narrated by Mayor Raymond McCarthy

Miss Roseanna’s School of Dance Group with Civic Band accompaniment:

“La Boutique Fantastique” (Fantastic Toy Shop) – Rossini/Respighi
Two Dances from the Nutcracker Suite – Peter Tchaikovsky
“Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” – Leon Jessel
“March of the Toys” – Victor Herbert

The Bloomfield Chorus will also be performing holiday selections at this concert

Bloomfield Civic Band performs at town wide 9/11 Memorial Service

Opie — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 16:07:54 +0000

Sunday, September 11, 2011 the Bloomfield Civic Band performed at town wide Memorial Service On the Green at 10:00 A.M. Selections performed included:

Star Spangled Banner
Amazing Grace
Abide With Me
Nearer My god To thee
Navy Hymn
God Bless America

Click Here for a Video of the Ceremony

Click here for full NorthJersey.com article

FILE PHOTO - The son of Daniel Rosetti visits the township’s Sept. 11 memorial during ceremonies in 2003.

Ceremony in Bloomfield to mark 10 years since America’s darkest day

Thursday, September 8, 2011
BY JEFF FRANKEL
Bloomfield Life

Nearly 3,000 people died a decade ago Sunday in the deadliest attack on American soil.

This Sunday marks exactly 10 years since the day that changed America forever. And just like the past nine years, the Township of Bloomfield is hosting a memorial ceremony on the town green.

This year is even more poignant, with the unveiling of the National September 11 Memorial at the footprints of the Twin Towers.

Bloomfield lost three residents on Sept. 11, 2001: Catherine A. Nardella, Daniel Rosetti and Cesar A. Alviar.

The municipality’s ceremony will be held Sunday at 10 a.m. on the green. It will feature an invocation by a Sacred Heart Church clergy member, remarks from Mayor Raymond McCarthy and patriotic songs by the Bloomfield Civic Band.

A wreath dedication follows, and the American flag will be presented to the three families in tribute, says Michael Sceurman, assistant recreation department director and event organizer.

Nardella, 40 at the time, worked as an insurance consultant with Aon Corp in the south tower. A Lincoln Park native, she lived alone in Bloomfield. She was very active at St. Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church.

A carpenter by trade, Rosetti, 32, was in his second and final day completing a project for Aon Corp. on the 105th floor of the south tower. He left behind his fiancée, now Christine Jinesta (nee Bennett), and their 14-month-old son, Justin.

United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the southern façade of the south tower between the 77th and 85th floors. Aon’s officers were located on the 92nd and 98th through 105th floors, above the impact point.

Alviar, 60, served as an accountant with Marsh & McLennan on the 94th floor of the north tower. He left behind his wife, Grace, and daughter, Gemma.

Alviar’s company occupied eight offices between the 93rd and 100th floors. When American Airlines Flight 11 hit the building, it breached nearly the entire company’s offices. No one there at the time survived; the company lost 295 employees and 63 contractors.

A new Bloomfield 9/11 memorial is being unveiled in conjunction with the re-opening of Foley Field on Thursday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. (tonight). Its centerpiece is a 900-lb., 16-foot steel beam from the World Trade Center. The piece was brought to Bloomfield via the efforts of Schools Superintendent Jason Bing and Bloomfield Volunteer Emergency Squad first responder Charles Giles.

Program for July 11, 2011 Summer Concert at Bloomfield High School

Opie — Wed, 18 May 2011 17:21:57 +0000

FREE CONCERT AT 7PM

Program for July 11, 2011 Concert:

“Washington Post March” – John Philip Sousa
“Ingelsina (Little English Girl) March” – David Della Cese
“On the Square March” – Frank Panella
“Manx Overture” – Haydn Wood
“Leroy Anderson Portrait” – James Christensen
“The Thunderer March” – John Philip Sousa
“Merry Wives of Windsor Overture” – Otto Nicolai
“Cabaret Selections” – John Kander
“Stars and Stripes Forever” – John Philip Sousa

Bloomfield High School

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Program for June 27, 2011 Summer Concert at Bloomfield High School

Opie — Tue, 17 May 2011 17:10:43 +0000

FREE CONCERT AT 7PM

June 27, 2011 Concert Selections:

“Coat of Arms March” – George Kenny
“Americans We March” – Henry Fillmore
“George Washington Bicentennial” – John Philip Sousa
“American Patrol March” – F. W. Meacham
“Victory At Sea Symphonic Scenario”
“Seventy Six Trombones March” – Meredith Willson
“The Blue and the Gray: Civil War Suite” – Clare Grundman
“Band of Brothers Symphonic Suite”
“America” – arr. by John Cacavas
“American the Beautiful” – Samuel Ward arr. By Carmen Dragon
“Star Spangled Spectacular” – George M. Cohan arr. by John cacavas
“Stars and Stripes Forever” – John Philip Sousa
“The Homefront: Musical Memories of World War II” – James Chritensen
“Lincoln Portrait…..Aaron Copland” – Narrated by Michael Malanga

Bloomfield High School

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The Bloomfield Civic Band Celebrates Women In The Arts on May 7, 2011

Opie — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:34:11 +0000

This concert will be celebrating women who have distinguished themselves in the field of music as part of National Women’s History Month. Also, a brief Bloomfield Federation of Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place.

Featuring Soprano Soloists Andrea Covais and Carmen Artis

Program Includes:

Carmen Artis

“Habanera” from Carmen by Georges Bizet
“Mi Chiamano Mimi” from La Boheme by Giacomo Puccini
“Begin The Beguine” by Cole Porter

Andrea Covais

“O mio babbio caro” from Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini
“Quando m’en vo” from La Boheme by Giacomo Puccini
“Ah! je voux vivre” from Romeo and Julliette by Charles Gounod

Carmen and Andrea

“Time To Say Goodbye” F. Sartori

Band Selections, conducted by Dominick Ferrara

Overture for Band by Felix Mendelssohn
Jalousie (Jealousy) by Jacob Gade
Fiddler On The Roof by Jerry Bock
Commando March by Samuel Barber
Dam Busters by Eric Coates

Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony to honor the following musicians:

Cathy Veit
Kevin Hagen
Richard Abate
Robert Norman

Concert Date: Saturday May 7, 2011 @ 7:30pm

Location: Bloomfield Middle School, Huck Road, Bloomfield, NJ

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Carmen Artis

Carmen Artis has performed at the Off-Broadway venues the St. Peters and John Houseman Theaters as well as many smaller theaters throughout New York City. She has also appeared in numerous operatic and musical productions throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York as well as Pittsburgh and Baltimore, most notably at with the Northeast Lyric Opera Company, Scranton Opera IV, and New Jersey State Opera companies. Carmen has sung under the batons of maestros Andre Previn and Michael Tilson Thomas with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. She has appeared in the Cape May Arts Center, the Watchung Arts Center, Reese Auditorium in Sparta, The Community Theater in Morristown and numerous other halls and venues as well as Montclair, Morristown and Summit’s First Night Celebrations. Carmen has also concertized with many jazz notables such as pianists Rio Clemente and Regan Ryzuk; bassist Ric Crane; drummer Joe Cocuzza; guitarist Lennie argese; saxophonist Marty Fogel and many others, performing the Great American Songbook.

Andrea Covais

Andrea Covais is a resident of Rutherford, New Jersey. She began her musical studies with the piano an age four and at sixteen began formal voice studies with Prof. Mariana Paunova at the Preparatory Division of the Manhattan School of Music. She then continued her music education at the Manhattan School of Music with soprano Ashley Putnam and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Voice Performance in 2006. At Manhattan School of Music , she was in productions of If The Shoe Fits, Don Giovanni, Dialogues of the Carmelites, and Il Primo Omnicidio. She was also seen in scenes productions of Amelia al Ballo, Xerses, The Merry Wives of Windsor, and Cosi fan Tutti, as well as a recital dedicated to the music of Venice. She is the 2001 and 2003 winner of the Florence Hong Wong Vocal Scholarship, the 2002 Merit Award winner from the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts, was a soloist three times at the Young Musician’s Concert at Weill Recital Hall, and was this year awarded with scholarship to attend the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. Andrea has performed throughout New York metropolitan area and with the AIMS Festival Orchestra in concerts in Austria and Slovenia. She has performed several recitals in New York, Graz, and Vienna. She has worked with conductors Edoardo Muller and Alexander Kalajdzic as well as pianists Semyon Rozin, Grant Loehnig and Robert Theis. Andrea is the 2006 winner of the Rutherford Chapter of UNICO Nicholas Martini Scholarship.

2011 Bloomfield Federation of Music Hall of Fame Inductee: Cathy Veit

Opie — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 19:06:47 +0000

Cathy Veit has been an avid flute player since the sixth grade. Currently she works as a Metlife Business Analyst and whom, after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University as an English major, found her way to the Bloomfield Civic Band. She has been a member of the group ever since, and loves being surrounded by wonderful musicians under the direction of the band’s dynamic leader Dominick. Cathy feels constantly challenged by the variety of music and composers in the band’s repertoire, and learns something new at every rehearsal.