Darien Students Perform in CT Elementary Honors Choir

Four Royle fifth graders were selected to participate in the 2018 Elementary Honors Choir at the CMEA Conference at the CT Convention Center in Hartford on April 20. The students performed a variety of songs including some from Kenya. This all-day choral event was directed by guest conductor Craig B. Knapp and accompanied by Royle's Kathleen Theisen on piano.

Front from left: Cassidy Muscato, Reagan Little, Chloe Procopion, Courtney Haire

Back from left: Craig Knapp, Kathleen Theisen

Darien High School 2018 All-State Musicians

Darien High School 2018 All-State Musicians

Seven outstanding musicians from Darien High School were chosen through a highly competitive state-wide audition process and participated in the Connecticut Music Educators Association 2018 All-State Music Festival. The rehearsals and the concerts for the festival took place at Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, CT on April 19-21 in conjunction with the state-wide CMEA conference.  The Darien students had the privilege of working in musical ensembles with Connecticut’s most accomplished high school musicians conducted by nationally renowned conductors and educators.   Richard Sadlon, the Director of Music in Darien states that, “These students are among the finest school musicians in our state and we are all extremely proud of their accomplishments and for representing Darien High School and our entire town so well at this prestigious state-wide event.”

Pictured, left to right: Elizabeth Garijo-Garde, Caroline Orphanos, Caroline Lui, Caeleigh O’Connor, Henry Domenici, Sara Baldwin. Not pictured: Isabelle Hole

Darien Public Schools Announce Spring Concert Schedule

The Music Department of the Darien Public Schools is pleased to announce their Spring Concert calendar. All of the Spring Concerts will take place at the Darien High School Auditorium, 80 High School Lane.  There is no charge for admission and the public is welcomed.  If you have any questions or need additional information, you can contact the district Music Office at: 203-655-3981 ext: 2250 or access the Music Department Blog at: www.darienps.org/music

April 30	DHS Spring Orchestra Concert at DHS	7:30 P.M.
May 2	DHS Spring Choral Concert at DHS	7:00 P.M.
May 3	DHS Spring Band & Jazz Ensemble Concert at DHS	7:00 P.M.
May 7	MMS Spring Choral Concerts at DHS Grade 6-7&Viva Voce 6:30pm/Gr.8,Camerata 8:00p.m.	6:30 P.M. 8:00 P.M.
May 9	MMS Spring Orchestras Concert at DHS	7:00 P.M.
May 10	MMS  Spring Bands Concert at DHS	7:00 P.M.
May 14	Hindley Spring Concert at DHS	7:00 P.M.
May 15	Royle Spring Concert at DHS	7:00 P.M.
May 16	Tokeneke Spring Concert at DHS	7:00 P.M.
May 17	Ox Ridge Spring Concert at DHS	7:00 P.M.
May 21	Holmes Spring Concert at DHS	7:00 P.M.
May 31	DHS Small Ensemble Concert at DHS	7:00 P.M.

Darien HS Orchestra Performs Canada Tour

The Darien High School Orchestra, under the direction of Ms. Jane Minnis, traveled to Montreal and Quebec, Canada on April 7 – 11. The Orchestra participated in a masterclass with composer Gilles Bellemare at the Conservatoire de Montreal and performed two concerts in Quebec. The students also performed at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity and were able to tour each of the historic cities.

A video of their performance at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity can be found on YouTube at:

 https://youtu.be/LhCzERhiAXI

Barynya Russian Music Ensemble Concert at Darien HS April 17 7:00 p.m.

Darien Music for Youth presents free Barynya Russian Music Ensemble Concert April 17, 7 pm at  DHS

As part of our celebration of the district’s curricular theme, the music of Russia, Darien Music for Youth invites everyone to a free concert by the amazing Russian Music and Dance ensemble, Barynya, at Darien High School auditorium on April 17th at 7:00 pm. Student posters submitted for the “Music of Russia” contest in January will be displayed in the  lobby of the auditorium before the concert.  Free tickets are

available at the door or from the Music  Office (203-655-3981 x 2250); at Crescendo Music (351 Boston Post Road); or at Barrett Bookstore (314 Heights Rd, Noroton Heights Shopping Center)  Don’t miss this amazing, memorable event!

MMS 8th Grade Orchestra Performs at Darien Senior Center

On Wednesday, March 28 fifty members of the 8th grade Middlesex Middle School Orchestra performed at the Darien Senior Center. The Middle School Orchestra is directed by  Mr. Austin Scelzo.

The 2018 Darien Young Composers Concert

Students in grades 2-12 from throughout the district performed their original music at the 18th Darien Young Composers Concert on April 4th. The students are pictures above with professional songwriter and composer Nicholas Wells. The young composers received feedback from him on their compositions. You can hear the entire Young Composers Concert at the following link:  https://youtu.be/7obTSVGkTYw?t=4m40s

DHS Tudor Singers Perform with US Air Force Concert Band

On Tuesday, April 3 twenty members of the Darien High School Tudor Singers joined the United States Air Force Concert Band and Singing Sergeants Chorus on stage at the Palace Theater in Stamford for a finale performance of Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America.”  Here, the students rehearse with the ensembles under the direction of Colonel Larry H. Lang. Christopher Andrade is the director of the Darien HS Tudor Singers.