Garden State Concert Band Performs For Local Students at Westminster Arts Center Wednesday

The Garden State Concert Band holds its annual educational charity event, “Children’s Concerts: Children in Harmony” at the Van Fossan Theatre at Westminster Arts Center on Wednesday.

Elementary school students from Montclair’s Northeast and Bloomfield’s Fairview schools will be treated to a morning of musical performances detailing the composition of a concert band and its various instrumental sections during the 45-minute presentation. 

“Bloomfield College has worked in partnership with the Garden State Band for years as they offer this concert to elementary schools,” Westminster Managing Director Gregory Allen said in a release. “Nothing makes me happier than to walk in and see the smiling young faces of those hearing a live band – many of them for the first time.  It is an event we will always support here at this institution.”

Founded in 1979 by current Conductor Dominick Ferrara, the Garden State Concert Band held its first fundraiser in the Bloomfield College gymnasium.  Currently funded through the Essex County Local Arts and History Grants Program, the band has performed in venues including the PNC Bank Arts Center, South Street Seaport and the Jacob Javits Center.

“In partnership with the College, we provide an opportunity for young students to learn about musical instruments and how they are put together to form a concert band,” Ferrara said in a release.  “We always love coming to the Van Fossan Theatre here at Westminster Arts Center, and look forward to putting on many more shows like this here at Bloomfield College.”

The show begins at 10 a.m. on Oct. 16.  For more information, contact Gregory Allen at Gregory_Allen@bloomfield.edu.