Glen Ridge Music Parents Association

Welcome to the Glen Ridge Music Parents Association Web Site

GRMPA News & Updates

Welcome 2016–2017

Welcome, Mr. Gregory Pavliv, the new voice teacher at Glen Ridge High School! Also check out the cool video below! Oh yeah… sign up for Choir – there’s still time!

Congratulations, Glen Ridge High School Marching Band and Color Guard, Dr. Gage and His Marching Band Staff, on your successful and productive “boot” camp, August 31–September 2, 2016.

Good luck this season performing Aaron Copland’s Rodeo.

A Tradition of Excellence . . . A Commitment to Innovation

Pride • Respect • Leadership • Trust • Unity

Mr. Pavliv and Kermit the Frog??

Mr. Pavliv gets a shout-out from our favorite green frog, Kermit! Also, there is still time for high school students to sign up for Choir so please let your kids know – Kermit thinks it would be great!

We need more students to sign up for the Middle School Choir. It’s a new 7th & 8th grade choir, there are no auditions and it meets 15 minutes before school starts at 7:45 AM.

GRMPA.org is now mobile-friendly!

 

GRMPA.org MobileDear music parents, staff and friends of Glen Ridge Music,

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been quietly working on migrating the GRMPA.org website to a new mobile-friendly design and I am happy to announce that this site is now live and looks great on PCs and also on mobile devices!

Please check out the website on your computer, on your tablet and on your mobile phone and let me know if you see any issues that need to be fixed.

I would really like to thank my friend Michael Mowla, for building this new site for free as a contribution to GRMPA!  Michael is a wonderful web designer and developer so if anyone needs help with their website or blog, please check out his website and contact him.

Happy websurfing!

Kris Ramanathan

News

 2017

Glen Ridge Marching Band Finishes Season, Wins Esprit de Corps Award at Nationals

TUESDAY, NOV 07, 2017 12:30PM  

The Glen Ridge High School Marching Band has completed another successful award-winning season with its final two shows, both held on November 4.

The Band, under the direction of Dr. Darren Gage and Drum Major Oliver Turiano, placed 2nd at the State Championships in Middletown, New Jersey and also earned awards for Best Music and Best Overall Effect. At the National Championships in Allentown, Pennsylvania, the Glen Ridge Band fought its way up from a 7th seed to earn 2nd place and win the award for Best Music. GRHS was also chosen out of all competing bands to receive the prestigious “Esprit de Corps” award, an honor given by the U.S. Marine Corps to the band that best exemplifies the qualities of pride, professionalism and patriotism. Throughout each competition, the band’s scores steadily increased, culminating in the final two shows of the 2017 season. This year’s show, “Open Wide To The World: The Music of Don Ellis” was conceived and designed by Dr. Gage.

Drum Major Oliver Turiano and the trophy at Nationals (photo credit: Osvaldo Umana)

In addition to Gage, the band has been supported this season by Assistant Band Directors Elizabethann Landers and Jason Curcio, Percussion Instructor Steve DeLuca, Woodwind Instructor Justin Romano, and Brass Instructors Alecia DeJoseph and Patty Schmitt and Choreographer Gina Ventura. In addition to Turiano, student leaders include Drill Sergeant Jessie Zuiderveld, Field Captain Sam Landis, Color Guard Captain Julia Sterling, Upper Woodwind Captain Camille Peck, Lower Woodwind Captain Collin Wehr, Brass Captain Eli Bushue, Lower Brass Captain Daryush Dehnavi and Percussion Captain Guy Anello.

Photo: L-R: L-R: Lower Woodwind Captain Collin Wehr, Brass Captain Eli Bushue, Field Captain Sam Landis, Lower Brass Captain Daryush Dehnavi, Drum Major Oliver Turiano, Percussion Captain Guy Anello, Color Guard Captain Julia Sterling, Senior Ashley Zweig, and Upper Woodwind Captain Camille Peck. Not pictured: Drill Sergeant Jessie Zuiderveld (Photo: Osvaldo Umana)

 

2016

Glen Ridge marching band completes strong season (11/14/2016)
“It was another good season for the Glen Ridge High School marching band. The band, under the direction of band director Darren Gage, competed in seven local, state and national competitions between Sept. 25 and Nov. 5, and brought home first-place awards from five of them. The band’s last competition of the season was at the USBands National Competition in Allentown, Pa., where it took third place.

“It was a fabulous season for the band,” said Joan Giurdanella, chair of the Glen Ridge Music Parents’ Association.”

Glen Ridge High School Chorus Performs For Seniors Golden Circle (11/01/2016)
“The Chorus performed a selection of songs to the crowd of delighted senior citizens including “Burn” from the Tony Award-winning musical, Hamilton, “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Miserables, “What I Did For Love” from A Chorus Line, “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri, and “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” by Carole King. Principal Louis Melchor played guitar for Tyler Matos’ rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me To the Moon.””

Marching Band tops in its category at Bloomfield NJ 2016 festival (11/04/2016)
“In competition against New Milford, Belleville and Elmwood Park, GRHS was rated “superior” by the judges while the other bands in their group each received a “good” rating. Glen Ridge was also designated the band, among the four, with the best music, best color guard display, and the best percussion section. Overall, when judged against the nine other bands that participated in the festival, the GRHS percussion section was judged to be the best overall.”

Marching Ridgers Place Second at State (10/25/2016)
The Glen Ridge Marching Band finished in Second Place, Divison 1A at the USBands New Jersey State Championships on Sunday, October 23. The band performed its show, Aaron Copland’s Rodeo on the campus of Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey, receiving a score of 86.088.

Essex County Executive DiVincenzo dedicates “Horace Ashenfelter Track” in Essex County Watsessing Park (10/18/2016)
“Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. dedicated the “Horace Ashenfelter Track” in Essex County Watsessing Park on Friday, October 14th. The honor recognizes long-time Glen Ridge resident Horace Ashenfelter, who won a Gold Medal in the Steeplechase in the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. Ashenfelter, who is now 93 years old, used the Watsessing Track to train for the Olympics.”

Glen Ridge Marching Band Performs at Homecoming Game (09/29/2016)
The marching band performed at halftime with a trip to the American West, an exploration of the ballet “Rodeo,” a 1940s collaboration between Aaron Copland and choreographer Agnes de Mille. Musical selections included “Buckaroo Holiday,” “Saturday Night Waltz” and “Hoe Down.”

Successful Weekend for the Glen Ridge Marching Ridgers (09/27/2016)
The Glen Ridge Marching band, under the direction of Dr. Darren Gage, has just wrapped up a successful weekend that included the Homecoming Halftime Show and a 1st Place win at the opening USBands competition of the season, held at Wayne Valley High School in Wayne, New Jersey.

Glen Ridge Marching Band Announces Performances (09/22/2016)
For its 2016 season, the Glen Ridge Marching Band, under the direction of Darren Gage and the guidance of Drum Major Lucy Smeets, will perform Aaron Copeland’s “Rodeo.”

Glen Ridge Marching Band Preps for New Season (09/01/16)
The Glen Ridge High School Marching Band’s Color Guard drills behind the high school on day two of band camp.

Glen Ridge letter: Why Marching Band Is a Fall Sport (08/25/16)
Seriously, you’re asking, marching band is considered a fall sport? It may not seem like it when all you see is a half-time show at football games. But that halftime show is only a small part of what the band and color guard do throughout the fall months.

2015-2016

Glen Ridge BOE recognizes band’s success (12/10/15)
Glen Ridge High School’s marching band and color guard received an end-of-season tribute during Monday night’s board of education meeting.

Glen Ridge council hears concerns about road stripes, honors band (11/10/15)
Glen Ridge High School’s marching band was officially honored during the meeting for their award-winning performance in Delaware this past weekend.

A winning weekend for Glen Ridge marching band (11/05/15)
A winning weekend for Glen Ridge marching band.

Glen Ridge marching band starts season with win (09/25/15)

The Glen Ridge High School marching band’s season got off to a good start this past weekend, with a win in a local band festival.

GRHS Marching Band Plays it Cool with a First Place Win (09/24/15)
The Glen Ridge High School Marching Band had the audience singing along and snapping their fingers with their debut performance of Buddy Rich’s “West Side Story,” earning a first place win in the Group A category at their first competition at Verona High School last Sunday, September 20

11th Annual Mustang Classic Marching Band Competition (09/21/15)
The Montville Township High School Field Corps and Marching Band will host the 11th Annual Mustang Classic Marching Band Competition on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

The 46th Annual Pancake Breakfast!

originalThe 48th Annual Glen Ridge Pancake Breakfast sponsored by the Glen Ridge Music Parents Association will be held from 8:30 – 11 a.m. Saturday, March 24 2018 at the Glen Ridge Congregational Church Lower Hall, 195 Ridgewood Ave.

Pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee will be served by members of the Glen Ridge High School Chorus and Bands.

Tickets are $5.00. Proceeds benefit the Glen Ridge High School music programs.

Order Online (2 tickets minimum)

Winter Concert

Had enough of Star Wars yet? Didn’t think so! Come to the GRHS Winter Concert to hear music by legendary composer John Williams from the epic film Star Wars, as well as classical favorites by Johann Sebastian Bach. The concert band, chorus and madrigal choir will perform on Thursday, January 14, 7:00-8:00pm at the Ridgewood Avenue Auditorium. Sorry, no lightsabers allowed.

Marching Band Dinner (2)

Marching Band Dinner 2015

Please join fellow marching band members and their families for an evening of food, friends and memories.

Select what type of tickets (Students or Adults):

Spirit Wear Sale Message

Please read carefully the instructions:

If you want to ship this order to you, we will add $10.00 to your order;

Otherwise, please stop by Beth L. house at the address below to pick-up your order:

65 Midland Avenue, GR, NJ 07928

2017 Summer Band Camp

Summer Camp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017 Band Camp at GRHS (Attendance Mandatory)

[all activities at GRHS]

SUNDAY, 8/27 – ROOKIE DAY
Noon – 2:00pm  Seniors/Captains for Field Lining/Prep (bagel lunch provided)
2:00 – 5:30pm  Rookies (all grades) join Seniors/Captains for Practice & Pizza
MONDAY, 8/28 – BAND CAMP DAY #1
9:00am – 12:00pm  Practice (meet in HS Band Room)
12:00 – 1:00pm  Lunch (on your own)
1:00 – 5:30pm  Practice
5:30 – 7:00pm  Dinner (on your own)
7:00 – 9:00pm  Practice
TUESDAY, 8/29 – BAND CAMP DAY #2
9:00am – 9:00pm (same schedule as Monday)
WEDNESDAY, 8/30 – BAND CAMP DAY #3
10:00 – 11:00am  Section Breakfasts (details TBD)
11:00am – 12:30pm  Sectional rehearsal
12:30 – 1:30 pm  Lunch
1:30 – 5:30pm  Practice
5:30 – 7:00pm  Dinner
7:00 – 9:00pm  Practice/Marching Band Parent Meeting
(7pm Meeting in HS Cafeteria includes
Live Color Guard & Music presentations!)
THURSDAY, 8/31 – BAND CAMP DAY #4
9:00am – 9:00pm (same schedule as Monday)
FRIDAY, 9/1 – BAND CAMP DAY #5
 9:00am – 12:00pm  Practice
12:00 – 1:00pm  Lunch
1:00 – 4:30pm  Practice
4:30 – 5:00pm  Preview Performance at HS Back Field!
5:30 – 7:00pm  Dinner
7:00 – 9:00pm  Practice

Before arriving at camp . . . EAT BREAKFAST. Every year, we have students who get too hot or tired or even faint. Most of the time, that student did not eat before coming to camp. “Boot” camp is more strenuous that one thinks, so please make sure students eat a nutritious breakfast. They can also bring small snacks if they get hungry.  There will be water breaks, but having a water bottle with a strap allows them to have water with them at all times in the field.

On Friday, September 1st, at 4:30 PM, there will be a preview performance of the marching band show based on the music of Don Ellis, at the GRHS backfield. Refreshments will be served. Family, friends, marching band alums, and GRMPA alums are invited to gather at the top of the hill to see what the students have learned during the summer practice sessions and “boot” camp, AND to use this initial performance as a reference point as the band continues to improve throughout the season. Though the performance is somewhat “messy” and often not complete, it certainly demonstrates how much these students learn in a short period of time.  That evening there will be a pool party to celebrate the end of camp and the beginning of Marching Band season!

Supplies Needed for Camp

  • Binder for drill and music with clear plastic pages. (Plastic pages are not mandatory, but they will save you a huge headache by the end of the season.)
  • Small spiral notebook to use as “dot” book
  • Pencils
  • Sunscreen: Students burn every year because they forget to put on sunscreen. You will be reminded, but you have to put it on!!
  • Sneakers—not flip-flops or sandals—Sneakers. While on the field, students must wear sneakers. For the evening session, students and instructors will be inside, so sneakers are optional.
  • Water bottle with a strap—a simple shoelace works. It’s an easy way for students to always have water with them on the field.

Keep in mind: Section leaders will also tell students what materials they need to bring to camp.