March 25, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 5 Mahwah Fifteen middle school and high school students from Mahwah recently performed in the 49th Annual Concert of the All North Jersey Seventh/Eighth Grade Intermediate and Ninth Grade Junior bands at Madison Junior School in Madison. This concert is sponsored by the North Jersey School Music Association, which includes school districts from seven counties in New Jersey’s Region I. The nine students from Ramapo Ridge Middle School and six students from Mahwah High School qualified for the band through a rigorous audition process held in early February at Paramus High School. Despite being a Division 2 school district, 10 percent of the total membership of both bands was comprised of Mahwah students. This accomplishment is extremely rare in the long history of the NJSMA. These students worked diligently on their audition materials for months, according to Ramapo Ridge Middle School Senior Band Director Scott Singer. “They are to be commended for working so hard while still keeping up with their academics. I know I can speak for my band colleagues (Band Directors) David Butterfield, Tim Rausenberger, and Jeff Bittner when I say how very proud we are of these students and this very special achievement,” Singer said. Competing against 625 of the best musicians in their age group from 125 participating schools in the region, eight out of the 15 Mahwah students were ranked first chair in their section. Members of the Seventh/Eighth Grade Intermediate Band are: Matthew Busch, alto saxophone; David Choi, first chair oboe; Bianca D’Agostaro, first chair bass clarinet; Emily Galow, first chair French horn; David Ingersoll, trumpet; Nicholas Kosmala, first chair trumpet; Ethan Meyers, tuba; Laura Rann, first chair euphonium; and Alex Schwan, clarinet. Members of the Ninth Grade Junior Band include: Benjamin Berman, oboe; Kimberley Gillen, clarinet; Kori Heisler, first chair oboe; April Lohmann, first chair clarinet; Elizabeth Saco, flute; and William Peri, first chair mallet percussion. Students showcase talents at multi-district concert Student performers and band directors.