BATICUM! (Jam/Party):

Brazilian Percussion Ensemble & DJ Joe Mondi

Come hear the music, groove to the beat, and join in the fun.  The Brazilian Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Amarildo Santos Costa, will host a performance/jam/party in Friend’s Hall with additional music by DJ Joe Mondi.  The name “baticum” is slang for a spontaneous percussion jam session in Brazilian neighborhoods.  The ensemble plays music from the Carnival parading groups of Bahia, Brazil.  Black Brazilians developed the music as a public expression of pride for in response to centuries of oppression and inequality.   The music also expresses solidarity with Africa and the Caribbean. Free Admission. For more information, contact Professor Marc Gidal (mgidal@ramapo.edu).

The next concert in the “Open Door Concert Series” is this coming Wednesday, 11/4 at 7 pm in the York Room at the Birch mansion in Ramapo College.

It will feature works for woodwind quintet and piano and the wind players are all wonderful – flutist Margaret Swinchoski, oboist Marsha Heller, clarinetist Richard Summers, bassoonist Atsuko Sato and French horn player Chris Wilhjelm. Dr. Wilhjelm, who is the band director for the acclaimed Ridgewood Concert Band is now in his second year teaching at the Ramapo College as the director of the Ramapo Concert Band. Itay Goren will join on the Piano.

The program is absolutely superb  – starting with Mozart’s Quintet for piano and winds K. 452 about which Mozart wrote to his father:  “I myself consider it to be the best thing I have written in my life”.   The second piece is Barber’s Summer Music for woodwind quintet which is filled with longing melodies, suspenseful rhythms and colorful flourishes highlighting each instrument. Closing the program is one of those pieces which is very beloved by musicians and audiences because it’s so much fun! – Poulenc’s Sextet for winds and piano. If you like jagged rhythms, crazy syncopations, lush harmonies, goofy melodies and abundant sentimentality this is the piece for you.

As usual the concert is free. We have been filling the York Room each time for the past several concerts so come early to reserve a seat. Doors open at 6:30.

Free admission * No registration is needed * Please come on time

Would you like a crash-course workshop in using Sibelius notation software?  World-class notation software, Sibelius is used by professional and beginning musicians alike due to its user-friendly interface, comprehensive toolbox and professional look.  Whether you’re a songwriter, composer, performer, or music producer, it is likely that you’ll need to put your hand on notation software at some point.  Give your music a professional touch, and enjoy the benefits of notation software, including hearing back your work, saving MIDI files, transposing notes and chord symbols, easy and fast editing features, and much more.  This one-time workshop will give you the basic familiarity you need for your first steps in learning Sibelius, which is installed on all computers at BC-308, BC-142 and H-Wing’s Lounge for the use of all students.  The workshop will be given by Assistant Professor Gilad Cohen.  No early registration is needed, but please come on time.

Ramapo’s student bands will perform and receive feedback from Music Faculty. All musicians are welcome to participate, and everyone is welcome to attend.   One ensemble will play a closing 30-minute set.  No need to be affiliated with the Music Program. Interested bands and musicians should email Assistant Professor Gilad Cohen at gcohen1@ramapo.edu.

Space is limited; register early.

Enjoy great music and support your friends!

Free and open to the public

Concert Band and the Roadrunner Jazz Orchestra will be playing a concert on Tuesday evening, November 24 at 7:30 in the H Wing Auditorium