Philip Sparke Returns to Lead Bloomfield Youth Band

Famed concert band composer Philip Starke will guest conduct the Bloomfield Youth Band in the band’s final performance of the year on Saturday, June 8 at 7:30 pm at Bloomfield High School.

It is a return engegement for Sparke, a resident of London, who made his first foray to Bloomfield to conduct the band last June.

Patrick Burns, who founded the ensemble in August 1986 and has directed the band for 27 years, leads the Bloomfield Youth Band. The Youth Band has garnered accolades from the Township of Bloomfield, the New Jersey Legislature and the United States Congress for its artistic excellence.

Sparke will lead the band in two of his own compositions, highlighted by Masquerade, a 16-minute epic work. Bloomfield High School junior and clarinet soloist Kieyara Shields will perform the theme from the movie Cinema Paradiso. Bloomfield High School Band Director Brendan Hughes will perform The Old Grumbly Bear, a humorous piece for bass clarinet and band.

The band will also perform Patrick Burns’ Fantasy on “Salve Regina”, David Gillingham’s Crest of Honor March, Claude T. Smith’s Emperata Overture, and Eric Whitacre’s The Seal Lullaby, featuring piano soloist Brian Rosson, a Rutherford High School junior.

Bloomfield Youth Band Performs 
Who: All ages.
What: Mr. Sparke will conduct two of his own compositions, highlighted by Masquerade, a 16-minute epic work. Also featured at the performance will be clarinet soloist Kieyara Shields, a Bloomfield High School junior, who will perform the theme from the movie Cinema Paradiso. Bloomfield High School Band Director, Mr. Brendan Hughes, will perform The Old Grumbly Bear, a delightfully humorous piece written for bass clarinet and band.
Where: Bloomfield High School (Auditorium), 160 Broad Street, Bloomfield, NJ.
When: Saturday, June 8 at 7:30 pm
Cost: General admission is $15, but if patrons print out the above flyer and present it at the door, they will be admitted for only $10