Classical Brass perform at 17th annual M-W music faculty concert

Central Valley - Monroe-Woodbury’s talented music faculty and friends will share their considerable talents to raise funds in support of the district’s music and performing arts students on Saturday, March 4, for the 17th annual M-W faculty recital. The event, co-sponsored by the Souza Scholarship for the Performing Arts and the Monroe-Woodbury Music Boosters, starts at 7 p.m. in the High School Auditorium. The snow date is Sunday, March 5, at 3 p.m. The event is dedicated to the late Bob Souza, the district’s long-time music educator. The evening will offer a wide-ranging, eclectic program that will span the musical spectrum, from classical to country, from Led Zeppelin to Les Miserables, and from brass to brass - two different brass groups will perform. One of those groups, Brass Quintessence, was formed in 1980 by several former members of the popular local brass quintet, The Canadian Brass. Only two original members transitioned to Quintessence: Thomas Barone III on tuba, and Keith Riddick on trumpet. The two had attended school together in Middletown and played in a brass trio even before they entered high school. Riddick, a long-time M-W instrumental music teacher at North Main Elementary, explained his motivation for performing in this annual charity event: “I knew and performed with Bob Souza even before I started teaching at Monroe-Woodbury. He and I performed with the Jimmy Sturr Polka Orchestra back in the 70’s and early 80’s before he became ill.” “Bob was a wonderful person and friend,” Riddick added. “He would do anything for anyone - helping others was what he was about. He loved his teaching job and put a tremendous amount of time and energy into his work. He was also a fantastic trumpet player. “This recital, given in memory of Bob Souza, means so much to me.” Riddick noted. “I’m glad to be performing along with the very talented musicians of the Monroe-Woodbury School District. I truly hope the community will come out and support this annual recital concert, so that the music department can continue to raise scholarship money for our deserving students.” According to Souza chairman Bob Curtis, more than $150,000 in scholarships has been awarded to talented students since the program began. The Music Boosters was established in the fall of 1991 to support music education in the district during a period of budgetary austerity. Since then, the Music Boosters has continued to contribute to both the music students and the program itself. According to Music Boosters president Phyllis Beverly, that group raises about $10,000 a year to support the district’s music program and to encourage promising M-W music students. Last year alone, the group provided nearly $9,000 in scholarships and financial assistance to talented M-W music students. Concert tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens and may be purchased in advance at the main office of each district school or at the door on the evening of the event.