The JP Stevens Band Program held its annual winter concert on February 8. The band program encompasses three bands which are the symphonic band, the freshman band, and the wind ensemble. The bands are under the direction of Mr. Denicola, Mr. Zazzali, Ms. Ferrali, and student-teacher Mr. Fusco. Throughout the night, the students exhibited their musical talents as a group to their parents and peers. Following over a month of dedication and hard work to practice, the bands put on a substantial show for the parents and students to be beguiled by.

“I am always cheered when I am able to play music for someone else, and coming together as a group and performing for an entire audience is a whole different feeling of joy,” said freshman Devansh Shah. “We try to pick out newer and harder music with each concert, and I think the concert went pretty well. I think others enjoyed it as well.” 

The event began in the auditorium where numerous chairs were arranged in semicircles on the stage. As 7 p.m. approached, parents and students of the wind ensemble diffused throughout the auditorium to watch the symphonic band perform.

Due to the absence of Mr. Zazzali from an unexpected injury, Ms. Ferrali alongside student teacher Mr. Fusco stepped in to direct the symphonic band. The symphonic band began their performance with the piece, “United Nations March” by Karl L. King, arranged by James Swearingen. Following this was the cheery, lighthearted tune “Chorale and Shaker Dance II” composed by John Zdechlik. To conclude the performance, the band performed the piece “Symphony No. 4 for Winds and Percussion” composed by Andrew Boysen Jr. 

The freshman band was next, under the direction of Mr. Denicola, Ms. Ferrali, and Mr. Fusco. To launch their performance, the freshman band played the piece “Ode and Jubilation” composed by Gerald Sebesky. The band then performed the tune “Rhythm Machine” by Timothy Broege. Finally, the band completed their performance with the tune “Kentucky 1800” composed by Clare Grundman.

To culminate the night, the wind ensemble, under the direction of Mr. Denicola, commenced their performance. To begin, the wind ensemble played the tune “New York Hippodrome” by John Philip Sousa, arranged by Keith Brion. Succeeding this, the ensemble performed the piece “Fantasies on a Theme by Haydn” composed by Norman Dello Joio. To cease the performance, the wind ensemble performed the strident, exhilarating piece “Symphony No. 3” composed by Vittorio Giannini. The pieces performed by the wind ensemble were ones that they will be showcasing at the Indianapolis Grand Nationals, a prestigious event that only a few bands in the entire country were selected to attend.

“This would be the last winter concert of my high school career,” said senior Ella Wong. “The music was also amazing, and I am so happy we were able to put out a solid show. I’m proud of how myself and my peers did, and I’m glad that I could send off my high school band experience with this concert.”

The concert was a gratifying and enlightening experience for both the performers and the audience that attended. It was a potent way for the students to practice presenting what they have learned so far in front of an audience and to improve for future concerts to come.