Bridgewater-Raritan High School Bands Qualify For Regions And States

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — More honors and recognition has been bestowed on the members who practice their skills in the band room at Bridgewater-Raritan High School.

Nick Mossa, who is the Bridgewater-Raritan High School Band Director, announced that
numerous band students auditioned and qualified for both the region level ensembles as well as
the all-state level ensembles.

Mossa explained the breakdown of the competition for New Jersey scholastic bands.

"New Jersey is divided in three geographical regions, each hosting their own honor bands,
orchestra, and choir ensemble auditions every winter," Mossa said. "The band audition preparation entails a lot of work learning music independently, practicing scales, and sight reading that takes months of dedicated effort."

"Qualification at the region level earns students the opportunity to play in the region bands with
esteemed guest conductors from amazing college programs around the country, and also grants students the next round of all state auditions," Mossa continued. "Our region bands this year were conducted by Dr. Andrea Brown from the University of Maryland and Dr. Julia Baumanis from Rutgers University."

Mossa then reported on the all-state ensembles that included Bridgewater-Raritan High School students.

"All-state auditions are held in January and acceptance into the all state ensembles is a very
prestigious honor, which includes a weekend of rehearsals in Atlantic City with qualifying
students from all three regions converging into these ensembles, led by professional conductors
that are selected from the very best collegiate and professional ensembles in the country, and
culminating with a concert at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark," he said. "The
conductors for the All State bands this year were Dr. Patricia Cornett and Dr. Matthew Brunner
from Temple University."

These honors are just another result of the product that is produced out of the band room at
Bridgewater-Raritan High School.

"We are so proud to send so many students to audition for these experiences year after year,
and this year the following students qualified and participated in the groups," Mossa said.

Here are the Bridgewater-Raritan High School students who qualified for both the region and all-
state ensembles. Their grades follow their names.

• James Krempasky, 9
• Fisayo Ogunsulire, 9
• Ananth Raman, 9
• Agastaya Shahane, 9
• Julian DiMaggio, 10
• Iswer Prasad Harinarayan, 10
• Brian Castone, 11
• Matthew Han, 11
• Jacqueline Strickland, 11
• Michael Tamboer, 11
• Derek Wang, 11
• Kevin Wang, 11
• Connor Malatesta, 12
• Adora Rao, 12
• Eric Tighe, 12

• James Krempasky, 9
• Ananth Raman, 9* Will play with All State Orchestra in Fall 2023
• Agastaya Shahane, 9
• Iswer Prasad Harinarayan, 10
• Michael Tamboer, 11
• Derek Wang, 11
• Kevin Wang, 11
• Connor Malatesta, 12
• Adora Rao, 12
• Eric Tighe

— Submitted by BRRSD