MATTAPOISETT — Superintendent Michael S. Nelson and Old Rochester Regional Junior High School Principal Silas Coellner are pleased to announce the success of the annual ORRJHS Holiday Concert.
Under the direction of Music for Life and Chorus Teacher Angie Vaughn and General Musician and Band Teacher Richard Laprise, the concert celebrating the work of band and chorus students was held on Wednesday, Nov. 29.
“Our band and chorus students have worked continuously over recent months to prepare a wonderful performance, and we are proud of the dedication they have shown,” Principal Coellner said.
The concert began with an opening song titled “Turn Off Your Phone.” The Jazz Band then took the stage, performing “Work Song,” by Nat Adderly, arranged by Richard Laprise; “Sink or Swing,” by Ken Harris; and “Maximum Velocity,” by Russ Michaels.
“Work Song” featured soloists Madelyn Sivil, Brody Morgan, Zac Mann, Zach Gagne, Penelope Angeley, Abigail Conley, Sophie Zhou, Rebecca Schaefer and Nathanael Bushnell. “Sink or Swing” featured soloist Sivil, and “Maximum Velocity” featured soloists Gagne, Josh Marcolini, Callum Fredricks, Morgan, Bushnell, Schaefer and Kaleb Johnson.
The seventh-grade Concert Band performed “Dance of the Tumblers,” from The Snow Maiden by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and arranged by James Curnow; “Song for the Winter Moon,” by Walter Cummings; and “Victory and Celebration,” by Alan Lee Silva.
The Chorus performed “Whistle ‘Neath the Mistletoe,” by Stephen L. Lawrence; “Winter Pathetique,” which is based on Beethoven’s Sonata No. 8, with arrangement and lyrics by Audrey Snyder; “Artist of a Winter Night,” by Herb Frombach with music by Vicki Tucker Courtney; “Dashing through the Snow,” arranged by John Leavitt with words and music by James Pierpont; and “Theme from Elf,” written by John Debney and arranged by Daniel Grass.
“Whistle ‘Neath the Mistletoe” featured singers Conley, Ava LaPointe, Zhou, Keira Canto, Trillian White, Erin Root, John Redler and Isaac Barrett, and instrumentalists Jessica Detrani, Addy Zell, Richie Redsicker, Cameron Estabrooks and LaPointe. “Winter Pathetique” featured singers Abby Jacques, Libby Achilles, Sydney Benard and Maggie Ewing.
Music performed by the eighth-grade Concert Band included “Badge of Honor,” by Ken Harris; “America, the Beautiful,” with music by Samiel A. Ward, arranged by Carmen Dragon and adapted by Douglas E. Wagner; and “Moscow, 1941,” by Brian Balmages.
The performances were supported by Accompanist Michelle Gordon.
“It was great to see so many friends, family members, staff and community members showing their support as part of the audience,” Superintendent Nelson said. “Our students and their directors put on a marvelous performance, and it was a great celebration of the holiday season.”
Additionally, Vaughn and Laprise wish to recognize the students who performed this week, as well as thank the members of Friends of Old Rochester Music (F.O.R.M.) for their support of musical education.
F.O.R.M. is a non-profit volunteer organization that supports the outstanding music programs of the Old Rochester Regional School District with the local community. The fund-raising efforts support performance opportunities and purchase instruments, equipment, supplies, and transportation to special events beyond the regular budget. In addition, scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors for their dedication and commitment to the music program and community. To learn more about F.O.R.M. or get involved, click here.
###
Discover more from John Guilfoil Public Relations
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.