Thursday, November 17th marked the first of five concerts in the Maroon and White Recital Series. Celebrating its 53rd season, Maroon and White traditionally has showcased the great musical and artistic talent our student body has to offer. Band director Mr. Haas selects student performers based on a competitive audition process, and he chooses students to play in one of the series’ several concerts throughout the school year. Past performers include, Broadway singer Ali Stroker, New Jersey Symphony cellist Jonathan Spitz, Associate Principal Flute with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Elizabeth Ostling, and former conductor of the US Navy Peter Folliard- all of whom had outstanding musical careers after graduating from RHS.
At the concerts in Ridgewood High School’s Learning Commons, audience members are able enjoy great music in a warm and welcoming environment. The performance is then followed by refreshments and the Art Exhibit downstairs in the Carroll Art Gallery. This month’s exhibition showcased the works from talented visual artists Nicole Kye, Austin Luke, Heliya Sefat, and Vanessa Soriano. The recital featured outstanding performances by students Avery Fogg (vocals), Annie Duffy (piano), and Sean Marron (flute).
A member of the high school’s Concert Choir and New Players Company, freshman Avery Fogg opened the recital with three beautiful and varied selections. Her first was a piece of Italian opera by Alessandro Scarlatti, titled “Se Florindo è Fedele,” which had a light and playful tune, followed by late Romantic American composer Edward MacDowell’s famous “To a Wild Rose.” Avery closed her performance with musical theater composition, “There’s a Fine, Fine Line” by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, which successfully boasted her musical versatility. Outside of school, Avery is apart of the Lower Hudson Valley Youth Choir and has played multiple lead roles in musicals.
Annie Duffy, a sophomore, captivated her audience by gracefully playing the first movement of Ludwig Van Beethoven’s renowned Moonlight Sonata. She is a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and has performed in several recitals such as the Festival of Young Performers in Downtown Ridgewood. Besides the piano, Annie plays the clarinet and is deeply involved with the Ridgewood High School’s band program, playing in the Wind Ensemble, marching band, and Clarinet Ensemble.
Sophomore Sean Marron closed the recital with two incredible pieces. The first composition was Allegro Maestoso from Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Concerto for Flute in G Major, which left his audience in awe of his musical abilities. The second work was Cantabile et Presto by French composer George Enescu. Sean is apart of the Juilliard Pre-College Division and the high school’s Wind Ensemble, Summer Pit Orchestra and Tri-M Music Honor Society. In addition, he has played in the New Jersey Symphony Academy Orchestra and performed with the Waldwick Band and Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra.
If you would like to attend a future Maroon and White performance, they will be held in the Learning Commons after school at 3:30 PM. Upcoming dates are January 17th, February 2nd, March 9th, and April 27th.
Heather Loo
staff writer
Graphics: Jessica Chang