DHS and MMS Orchestras Perform with Jazz Violinist Christian Howes!!

The Darien High School Orchestra joined forces with the MMS grade 8 Orchestra on Saturday evening in a concert featuring acclaimed jazz violinist Christian Howes. Pictured above, Jane Minnis and Austin Scelzo each conducted  various string ensembles while Christian Howes performed. Approximately 140 string students participated.

DHS Band Night Concert Includes MMS Grade 8 Band Students!

The first concert of the school year featured nearly 180 Band students from the Darien High School and the Middlesex Middle School 8th grade Band in a concert on Thursday, October 26. The concert featured the DHS Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Band and our MMS 8th Grade Band. Each ensemble performed individually and then combined forces for a grand finale. The concert included several selections from Russian composers to address the district's Russian Music theme this year. Jonathan Grauer is the Director of Bands at Darien High School and James Carter is the Director of the MMS Grade 8 Band.

Upcoming concerts include the DHS Orchestra Concert, featuring acclaimed jazz violinist Christian Howes, this Saturday, October 28 and the DHS Chorus Night Concert on Wednesday, November 1. Both performances begin at 7:00 p.m. in the DHS auditorium and will also feature guest performances from our 8th grade musicians.

Ox Ridge Orchestra Students Use Chromebooks to Replace Sheet Music

Students in the Ox Ridge Orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Dylan Spielvogel, have been rehearsing their orchestra music without using the traditional paper sheet music and have been using their chromebooks to read and store their music instead. Mr. Spielvogel started using the chromebooks at the beginning of the school year and said that the new method of reading the music alleviates the lost or damaged paper copies and, as long as the students bring their chromebooks to class, they have all of their music. Mr. Spielvogel plans to be the first musical ensemble in our district to use the chromebooks on a concert program. The Ox Ridge Winter Concert is scheduled for Thursday, December 14th at Ox Ridge School.