Bridgewater-Raritan Wind Ensemble Earns Gold, State Gala Invitation

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Bridgewater-Raritan High School's Wind Ensemble is heading back on the road after earning a Gold Medal rating at the Central Jersey Music Educators Association 28th Annual Region II Concert Band Festival.

The festival was held on March 17, at the Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School auditorium, and the result brought an invitation to the New Jersey State Band Gala on April 26 at William Paterson University.

The ensemble is guided by Dr. Tom Bourgault, co-director of the band program with Nick Mossa at Bridgewater-Raritan High School.

According to Bourgault, the state gala is sponsored by college band directors in New Jersey, and Bridgewater-Raritan was one of four ensembles from central New Jersey invited to perform.

The invitation followed another major performance just three days later.

On March 20, the Wind Ensemble performed at the College Band Directors National Association/National Band Association Eastern Division Conference at the University of Massachusetts.

"The CBDNA/NBA Eastern Division Conference was truly exceptional! The students traveled to Massachusetts that morning and prepared a 45-minute concert featuring several new, exciting, and colorfully diverse compositions. The president of the Eastern Division of the CBDNA/NBA was in our warm-up and recognized the incredibly sensitive artistry our kids performed with, how many individuals could make musical adjustments on the spot, and then commended how musically we were performing," Bourgault said.

He said several university conductors attended the concert and met the group backstage afterward, "and gave us glowing compliments and applause!"

Bourgault said the recent performances gave students a chance to keep building as musicians while representing the school community.

"I am personally grateful for the unwavering support we receive from our school community, parents, and administration. It's been a long week for the Wind Ensemble, and they've earned a break from festivals (until April!). This year's group is truly special."