Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55 Celebrates Success of Friends of Old Rochester Music Performances

MATTAPOISETT — Superintendent Michael S. Nelson would like to congratulate the districts’ musicians on their recent successful band and choral performances. 

The Friends of Old Rochester Music (F.O.R.M.) Scholarship Concerts took place in the Old Rochester Regional High School gymnasium and featured the districts’ choirs on March 7 and bands on March 14. Both concerts featured students from five schools across thedistricts, including Old Hammondtown, Rochester Memorial, Sippican, Old Rochester Regional High School and Old Rochester Regional Junior High School. 

Chorus students sang 17 songs during their March 7 concert, including “Memories” by Maroon 5 and Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing.” The five school bands and the Old Rochester Concert Band played 16 songs during the instrumental concert on March 14, including “Smoke on the Water” and “Go Tell It On The Mountain.” The finale of the instrumental concert featured all students playing “You’re a Grand Old Flag” together. 

“Our districts’ musicians are extremely talented and dedicated to their music, and they put on a terrific performance each year. We are very proud of all the band and choir students who participated,” said ORRJHS Principal Silas Coellner.

“A big congratulations to our student musicians and music instructors on their hard work and wonderful performances at both concerts,” Superintendent Nelson said. “I would also like to congratulate the seniors who were recognized during this year’s events. F.O.R.M. has shown incredible support for our students over the years, and we thank them for their generosity.”

F.O.R.M. came about in 1983 as a non-profit volunteer organization that supports music programs of the districts. The organization works alongside the local community to fundraise for performance opportunities, purchase instruments, equipment, supplies and transportation to special events beyond the districts’ given budgets. 

Since 1983, F.O.R.M. has also awarded scholarships to seniors in recognition of their commitment to the music department. The Class of 2022 recipients included: Christopher Bell, Alice DeCicco-Carey, Emily DellaCioppa, Isabella Correia, Caleb DeVoe, Edward Gonet IV, Spencer Merolla, Benjamin Preece-Santos, Charles Richards and Kinsley Trout. 

“We would like to thank all of our community members who came out to enjoy the two performances this year,” said Old Hammondtown Principal Kevin Tavares. “Our schools’ musical performances are a long-standing tradition in our community, and we appreciate the community’s support of our musicians each year.”

Additionally this spring, the ORRHS Night of Jazz will take place April 11, the ORRHS Spring Concert will take place May 10 and the ORRJHS Spring Concert will be held May 23. All events will begin at 6:30 p.m.

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