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Vol. LXI, No. 24
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Wednesday, June 13, 2007
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Vol. LXI, No. 24
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Wednesday, June 13, 2007
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The Princeton High School Studio Band will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a reunion concert on Saturday, June 16, at 8 p.m. in the Trego-Biancosino auditorium at the high school's new Performing Arts Center.
Alumni of the band have been invited to bring along their instruments and join in on the final numbers of the gala fundraiser that marks the band's performance debut in the new hall dedicated to the memory of former PHS Choir Director William R. Trego, who retired in 1992, and the late Anthony J. Biancosino, who joined the PHS music department in 1978 and directed the Studio Band for the better part of three decades.
Comprised of 30 student musicians, admitted by audition only, the Studio Band boasts pianists, bassists, a brass section, guitarists, vocalists, and a jazz harpist under the direction of Joseph Downey and Joe Bongiovi.
In addition to selections spanning a 30-year repertoire, the program will include three pieces performed in March at the Berklee College of Music High School Jazz Festival in Boston, "Whiplash," "Of Another Time," and "Cherokee," arranged by Dave Wolpe.
The band competed with 50 others from all over the world to win a first place trophy for their performance, which scored 293 out of 300, a level of excellence rarely achieved in the competition's history.
Lead trumpet player Sam Smith, a graduating senior, received a solo award and a special adjudicator's award.
"I don't routinely enter competitions but this year's band was disciplined, talen-ted, and hard-working enough to go to Berklee," said Mr. Downey, who dedicated the award-winning set to his brother, Dr. Biancosino.
Mr. Downey stepped in to lead the band during his brother's illness and took over as director when his brother died in December of 2003.
Mr. Downey, who is particularly proud of the band's sight-reading prowess, is carrying on his brother's legacy with the help of newcomer Mr. Bongiovi, who assisted in preparing the band for the Berklee competion before joining the school full time in March.
Celebrating his own 30th anniversary this year, Mr. Bongiovi said he's impressed with the band's consistently maintained high level of excellence. "It's my goal to help continue that excellence for another 30 years with the same sense of dedication, pride, and fun."
Having another person on board to direct will allow Mr. Downey to turn to his love of Irish stepdance — he had the band warm up for the Berklee competition, which took place on St. Patrick's Day, by playing a jig.
Evolution of a Jazz Band
The Studio Band was founded in 1977. Originally, under the direction of Jack Horner, it was a dance-style band known for a wide variety of big band arrangements. It provided music for football games, assemblies, dances, and other events.
Journalist Christine Woodside of the graduating class of 1977 played clarinet under founding director Jack Horner, whom she describes as being an institution at the high school at that time; a jazz trombonist of the Dorsey Brothers era.
Ms. Woodside recalled Mr. Horner using the term "studio band" as early as 1975 for the band that was recorded performing for a faculty/community dance that year.
"Mr. Horner was the one who put an end to the band marching on the field for football games," she said. "He transformed the marching band into a jazz band."
A highlight of her time with the band was the visit to the school by powerhouse trumpeter Maynard Ferguson in her sophomore year. "He taught us circular breathing and improvisation, but I never managed the latter and lost out on performing a Benny Goodman solo for the dance because of it. I could emulate Goodman's every note, but it wasn't enough for Mr. Horner who wanted me to cut loose with my own improvisation." When another student was chosen to replace her for the dance performance, Ms. Woodside was disappointed but now she said she appreciates the lesson learned. "In life you run up against your limitations. Jack Horner took us to the edge and got some fabulous music out of us. He was crusty and curmudgeonly but he cared about us and about the band."
Another Level
After the baton was passed to Dr. Biancosino in 1979, the program expanded to a national competition style jazz program, winning awards at the state and national levels.
Although it has been almost two decades since alto sax player Rob Perle was a band member, he hopes to be there on Saturday to celebrate an experience that he said still influences his life.
During those years the studio band won awards in state and national competitions and performed at the inaugural balls of both Presidents Reagan and Bush Senior.
Alto saxophonist Jasmine Ben-Reuven of the class of 1992 and now working with JPMorgan Asset Management, played at the inaugural for George H.W. Bush in 1989. Ms. Ben-Reuven, who also hopes to join the band on Saturday, recalls Dr. Biancosino as a man of "incredible passion, drive and absolute dedication."
"If you wanted to be in Studio Band and learn great jazz and contemporary music, you had to want to be with Dr. B. every morning at 8 a.m. Sitting front row center in the sax section in the old band room, flanked by large brass horns on each side, menacing trombone slides from behind, and Dr. B. literally inches away from my face, there was only one thing for me to do: play the music the way he wanted."
"'Results, not excuses, people!' was a mantra he often used," said Ms. Ben-Rueven. "Many band members went on to create successful careers in music."
One of those following in Dr. B's footsteps is professional jazz pianist Eric Plaks, in the Studio Band from 1989 to 1992. Mr. Plaks will become high school jazz band director at the Bronx Lab School after eleven years as an elementary school music and band teacher in the South Bronx.
"I learned so many invaluable life lessons by being in Studio Band, the high school activity that most intersected with the real world," said Mr. Plaks who has two CDs currently available on iTunes and cdbaby.com: The Witch Man (2003) and Rooftop Reveries (2004), and has just finished a third, Eric Plaks with Strings.
Professional guitarist Dave Hahn, who graduated in 1992, will join the band on Saturday direct from a gig with reggae legend Lee 'Scratch' Perry. Mr. Hahn's own group Dub is a Weapon includes fellow alumnus and guitarist Ben Rogerson.
"One of the best parts about the band has been this tradition of alumni coming back and sitting in," said Mr. Hahn who recalled occasions when John Popper of Blues Traveler returned to take part on stage. "That definitely inspired me to keep working at music, and made me believe that some kind of career in this business was possible."
Trumpeter Tona Palomino, class of 1991 recalls his teacher's idiosyncratic methods, including the "best worst jokes ever."
When Dr. Biancosino was stricken with cancer, first his daughter Michole, a theater director, and then his brother Joe Downey, former orchestra director with the Willingboro school district, stepped in to direct. The baton passed to Mr. Downey in 2003.
"It's not easy to find a director to take over a band of this caliber," said Mr. Downey.
Recent band alumnus, baritone saxophonist Richa Gawande, will return to the high school on Saturday. Mr. Gawande, now at Princeton University, played with the band from 2001 until 2004.
"I was introduced to jazz at a high level under the direction of Dr. B., whose spirit continues to carry the band forward. Mr. Downey had some big shoes to fill and he's doing a great job."
Tickets for Saturday's event, which is followed by a reception, are $25 per adult and $15 per student or senior. For more information and to order tickets, call Sheree Dunnett, (609) 655-3303, or e-mail PHSStudioBand@gmail.com. Tickets will be held at the box office.