Pentucket Regional School District Shares Success of Fine & Performing Arts Program

WEST NEWBURY — Pentucket Regional School District proudly shares the recent success of its Fine & Performing Arts program, including award designations, college commitments and future events. 

2026 NAMM Best Communities for Music Education
For the sixth consecutive year, Pentucket Regional School District (PRSD) has been honored with a designation from the NAMM Foundation as one of the Best Communities for Music Education in the nation.

The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts nationwide that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. PRSD was one of 1008 school districts across the country to receive this honor, and one of 24 in the state. 

“Applying for this designation was a massive undertaking involving the coordination of K-12 music faculty, all our district principals, and the Pentucket Music Boosters, so we sincerely thank everyone involved with the process,” said Fine & Performing Arts Department Chair David Schumacher. “The Pentucket Music Program is a GREAT place to be!”

Stephen Sondheim Theatre Awards

The Stephen Sondheim Awards celebrate excellence in high school musical theater, honoring outstanding student performers, productions, and educators. Named for legendary composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, the program encourages artistic growth, creativity, and collaboration among young theater artists.

Pentucket Regional High School Theatre Department students received nominations in five categories for their production of “Bright Star,” a musical written and composed by Steve Martin and Edie Burkell: 

• Junior Brooke Pipan – Best Supporting Actress
• Junior Fiona Moore – Achievement in Lighting Design 
• Senior Hailey Bruno – Achievement in Costume Design
• Junior Thomas Carrozo and Senior Zach Hannula – Achievement in Sound Design
• Pentucket Tech Crew – Best Scenic Design 

The Sondheim Awards are a regional pathway to the Jimmy Awards, a national competition that recognizes the best in high school musical theater across the country. Top student performers at the Sondheim awards will advance. Award winners will be announced on Saturday, May 9. 

College Acceptances

Five Pentucket Regional High School students have committed to continuing their education in fine and performing arts at a collegiate level:

• AnnaRose Bissitt will be studying Voice and Musical Theatre at Berklee College of Music. 
• Summer Welper will be studying Musical Theatre at Plymouth State University. 
• Julia Swiniarski will be studying Graphic Design at Savannah College of Art and Design. 
• Jacob Giordano will be minoring in Theatre at University of Massachusetts Amherst. 
• Hailey Bruno will be studying Vocal Performance at Wheaton College. 

Future Events

The Pentucket Regional School District Fine & Performing Arts Department has a full slate of events throughout the month of May, showcasing the musical talents of students: 

• Wednesday, May 6, 7 p.m., Pentucket Regional Middle High School gym – PRSD Choir Jamboree, featuring students in grades 5-12.
• Tuesday, May 12, 7 p.m., Pentucket Regional Middle High School gym – PRSD Band Jamboree, featuring students in grades 4-12.
• Thursday, May 14, 7 p.m., Pentucket Regional Middle High School gym – PRSD Strings Jamboree, featuring students in grades 4-12. 
• Tuesday, May 19, 6 p.m., Pentucket Regional Middle High School gym lobby – PRMHS Arts Reception, featuring the work of students in grades 7-12. This event will also be the grand reveal of this year’s addition to the school’s permanent art exhibit. 
• Tuesday, May 19, 7:15 p.m., Pentucket Regional Middle High School gym – PMRHS Band and Percussion concert. 

“The excellence of our Fine and Performing Arts Department is a testament to the commitment of our students, educators and staff district-wide,” said Dr. Justin Bartholomew, Superintendent. “It is a pleasure to see students receive recognition on a regional scale while pursuing opportunities that allow them to creatively express themselves and share their passion for the arts. Congratulations to all, and I am excited to watch the Department continue to grow.”