Roxbury High School, Music for All, and the Roxbury Band Parents Association (RHSBPA) are pleased and proud to announce the Fourth Annual Metropolitan Wind Band Invitational (MWBI) on Sat., April 1, in the Roxbury High School Auditorium. This all-day music festival will be filled with 20 performances by several of the region’s most accomplished high school wind ensembles and orchestras, including a midday performance by Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts Bacoustics ensemble, and a closing performance by the Eastern Wind Symphony. All performing groups were invited to participate in this prestigious event based on their past achievements and continued commitment to musical and performance excellence.

This year’s Metropolitan Wind Band Invitational kicks off at Roxbury High School Auditorium with the first performance by the Roxbury Concert Band at 9 a.m. and will conclude at 7:30 p.m. with a 45 minute concert by the Eastern Wind Symphony. Admission to the Festival is $10 for adults, $5  for seniors/students and a special family rate of $25 for a family of 4 or more (2 adults and 2 + children). Concessions will be available for purchase on-site, and there is free parking.  The public is welcome to come and enjoy concerts by a total of 20 ensembles, including RU Bacoustics, the undergraduate bassoon ensemble from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, Randolph High School’s Wind Ensemble, JP Stevens Orchestra, Bergenfield Wind Symphony, The Eastern Wind Symphony, and several regional High School ensembles from West Orange, Bridgewater, West Milford and in between.

Not only will attendees be treated to rousing symphonic and orchestral performances, but the festival also functions as a non-competitive performance and learning experience for the participating schools. Each performance will be critiqued in an evaluation session after their performance by a panel of extremely experienced and distinguished music professionals who are highly regarded throughout the United States and Canada.  MWBI evaluators this year are; Music For All National Festival Evaluator James Keene, Professor Emeritus of Music at the University of Illinois. James Tapia, Director of orchestral activities at the Setnor School of Music at Syracuse University, Cynthia Johnson Turner, Director of Bands at the Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia, Freddy Martin, the founder of the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps, Gary Markham, Chief Judge for Bands of America, and John Casagrande, Executive Administrator for the National Band Association.

Roxbury High School’s Director of Bands Todd Nichols adds, “We are delighted to have world class musicians and conductors from around the country join us on campus for a weekend of music making and learning. Attending our festival will be the finest bands and orchestras from our area. Together we will all celebrate the opportunity to grow and mature while learning from these fine adjudicators. It will be a tremendous atmosphere of mutual support and encouragement for all students and directors in attendance.”

MWBI 2017 Chair and Roxbury High School Band Parent Association President Carla Dexter added, “We are honored to host the Fourth Annual Metropolitan Wind Band Invitational with our partners, Music for all. We are proud to showcase performances from students representing 18 high schools that demonstrate the maturity, dedication, commitment and talent of these amazing young women and men. I would especially like to thank the Roxbury Band Directors, MWBI committee heads, and volunteers. Without their support, we wouldn’t be able to hold such a prestigious event year after year.”

 “Music for All is an admirer of the fine band program at Roxbury High School and has enjoyed working with Director of Bands Todd Nichols,” says Eric Martin, President and CEO of Music for All. “We are thrilled and honored to partner with Roxbury to provide a positive educational opportunity for the bands in this area. We hope that our partnership with the Festival will help make a profound impact on the quality music education in Roxbury area,” says Martin, “as well as to support the Roxbury band’s efforts in presenting this notable festival.”