Red Bank Regional High School’s (RBR) Visual and Performing Art students Matt Rosen, Little Silver and Alex LaRocca, Shrewsbury, both gained placements in the prestigious Region II Symphonic music groups. Matt, a sophomore, will play the contra clarinet in the wind ensemble while Alex, a junior, will play the double bass for the symphonic orchestra.
This is Rosen’s second year making the Region II Symphonic Band. He plays a variety of woodwind instruments and actually auditioned on three instruments (the maximum allowed by the competition.) He won all three placements as first chair contra clarinet for the Wind Ensemble, first chair alto clarinet for the Symphonic Band and fourth chair bass clarinet for the Symphonic Band. He chose to accept the more challenging smaller Wind Ensemble group. Matt also plays the tenor saxophone in the High School Marching and Jazz bands. He is a part-time bassoonist in the RBR concert band.
LaRocca, did not play any orchestral instruments prior to enrolling in RBR’s VPA Academy. He plays the double bass for the RBR Orchestra and the bass drum in the RBR marching band. He also plays piano and bass guitar, and is currently studying the harp at RBR.
Both students also play for the New Jersey State Youth Orchestra conducted by Roy Gussman, where they practice weekly. They perform throughout the year at select venues including the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove and Lincoln Center in New York City.
Alex will play in the Region II Symphony Orchestra concert on Sunday, Jan. 8, at Montgomery Township High School in Skillman. Matt will perform at the same location on Sunday, Jan. 15, in the Region II Symphonic Band Concert.
