Ridge High School Orchestra
Spring Concert
May 22, 2024, 7:00 P.M.
Ridge High School Performing Arts Center
Featuring performances by the Chamber
and Symphony Orchestras
Under the direction of
May 22, 2024, 7:00 P.M.
Under the direction of
Dear All,
This has been a wonderfully rewarding year for me as it marks my 32nd year teaching in Bernards Township. It has gone by so fast. We had Dr. Sandra Dackow work with the orchestra THREE times throughout this school year. She dedicated one of her string arrangements to us for helping her with editing the parts. We acted as her "demo orchestra". This is a TREMENDOUS honor as it will always be titled "Dedicated to the Ridge High School Orchestra Program in Basking Ridge, New Jersey." We will be remembered forever!
We had a wonderfully successful musical season with performing "Something Rotten". The orchestra received an "Honorable Mention" for "Best Performance by an Orchestra". In addition, I have been helping to cover Ms. Casey's position at CHS and LCS, working with the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade string students. This position has brought my career FULL CIRCLE with returning to my original role as "SOLE STRING TEACHER" in the district in 1992, where I taught EVERY level. How rewarding it's been teaching these young musicians and working with such incredible colleagues like Taylor Kurilew, Nicole Ferguson and Stephanie Spano. Thank you, girls, for all of the support and help you have given me during this time!
Finally, I was invited to conduct the 2024 Central New Jersey Music Educators Association (CJMEA) Region Intermediate String Orchestra this past March. What an incredible experience this was and a rejuvenation of my love for music education! I am forever grateful for this successful school year and all of the experiences that I have had. As I get older and wiser, I revel in the small moments of everyday life in the orchestra room: watching the orchestra family care for one other, laughing with each other, eating lunch together, studying together, creating great memories and music together. I cherish every moment with these wonderful human beings. They make me want to be a better person and teacher. I love that about them. I look forward to many more years of making music with this orchestra family.
I hope you have a wonderful summer! I look forward to seeing you all again next year.
To the seniors - Good Luck with all of your future endeavors. Continue to make the world a better place. Please remember to drop me a line every now and then to let me know how you are doing.
Sincerely yours in music…
Jennifer Curran
REMINDER: ALL SENIORS AND ORCHESTRA MEMBERS NOT RETURNING TO ORCHESTRA NEXT YEAR MUST DRY-CLEAN AND RETURN THEIR CONCERT ATTIRE AND ORCHESTRA FOLDER LABELED WITH THEIR NAME BY FRIDAY, JUNE 7TH.
Many thanks to:
My Ridge colleagues and friends Carol Beadle, Clay Beyert, and Dan Zugale
Brian McGowan at WAMS, Kathy Kowalewski at MPS and OSS and Kendall Casey at CHS and LCS
Colin Berry and the PAC crew for the stage setup, lighting, sound, and being such professionals
Zayyan Mustafa, for the help you provided with stage setup. We so appreciate your hard work! Thanks Z!
Angie Yang for help with the program and pretty much everything
The faculty and administrative staff at Ridge High School for their support; especially Mr. Michael Fackelman and Dr. Russell Lazovick
Our family, friends, and mentors for their continued support
All of these wonderful students on stage.
Thank You and Have a Happy Summer!
Jennifer V. Curran