About Us
Our Mission Statement
One of the region’s most established wind groups, The Ramsey Wind Symphony is a volunteer organization that provides opportunities for qualified individuals to renew, maintain and develop their interests and talents in the performing arts by participating in a positive and uplifting musical environment. Since its inception on December 19, 1986, the Ramsey Wind Symphony has served Northern Jersey, Rockland, and the surrounding communities for more than three decades, playing a wide-ranging repertoire of traditional and popular music for many who would otherwise be unable to access such an experience.
The season is comprised of regular Wednesday evening rehearsals and a series of indoor and outdoor concerts, including the annual Ramsey Fourth of July Celebration and Ramsey Day (a festive carnival day celebrating the end of the summer in Ramsey). The Ramsey Wind Symphony focuses on love of music, craft, enthusiasm, constancy of commitment and effort, the highest possible artistic excellence, and a desire to share the joy of music. The Wind Symphony strives to create an atmosphere of accessibility within the community, warmth, challenge, and encouragement for its participants and audience.
We invite all who love intensely inspiring and expressive live symphonic music to join us in our pursuits.
Musical Director
Minesh Shah is a professional music educator and performer from the NY/NJ area. Minesh holds a Bachelor of Music in Trombone Performance from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. During his time at UML, Minesh studied Trombone with Willis Traphagan and Conducting with Dan Lutz and David Martins. Minesh also studied Brass Pedagogy extensively while being Professor Traphagan’s final Trombone student. Currently Mr. Shah is finishing his Master’s of Arts with a concentration in Trombone Performance from Montclair State where he studied Trombone with R. Clyde Wigness and James Markey. He is also earning an MA in Educational Leadership from St. Peter’s College.
After college, Mr. Shah began teaching in NJ and found success with diverse populations, from the inner city to Nationally Recognized Blue Ribbon Schools. In 2017, Mr. Shah returned the Weehawken ensemble to USBANDS where they earned the Group 1A State and National Championships. While teaching in Elizabeth, Minesh was the Music Capitan & Ensemble Supervisor for the Elizabeth High School Marching Band, during which time the band won State and National Championships for four years running. While at Elizabeth Mr. Shah worked with some of the country’s top names in education, pageantry and composing including Wayne Dillon and Jim Prime Jr. In addition to his teaching, Minesh is the Music Director and Conductor of the Ramsey Wind Symphony.

Musicians
Flute
Lisandra Hernandez
Amanda Leslie
Angela Zurlo
Jennifer Thorton (piccolo)
Lori Anders
Krysti Sabins
Amanda Brown
Clarinet
Bill Matarazzo
David Straus
Rebecca Mir
Denise Hawkins (Eb clarinet)
Leigh Myers
Megan Vellotti
Kristin Bungert
Harry Weiss
Ashley Bifalco
Bass Clarinet
Kara Shah
Matt Cooper
Oboe
Dave DeLucca
Bassoon
Ken Brown
Alto Sax
Jean Mariscovete
Alissa Settembrino
Tenor Sax
John Schloman
Baritone Sax
Peter Kanyuk
French Horn
Jim Juliano
Katie DeFranco-Norton
Terri Watson
Trumpet
Greg Romano
Pete Kennedy
Mike Connors
Harvey Feldman
Eric Silver
Brianne Hanlon
Pat Passero
Trombone
Jim Blehart
Eric Ruddick-Ferrat
Ed Stanford
Harry Geist
Grant Thornthon
Sydney Williams
Dave Sullivan
Euphonium
Melissa Kay
Eunji Chang
Don Levinson
Tuba
Victor Gutierrez
Scott DeFranco-Norton
Percussion
Dan Belanger
Judy Hunter
Board Members
Lori Anders
Amanda Brown
Kristin Bungert
Scott DeFranco-Norton
Melissa Kay
Amanda Leslie
Greg Romano