Jamie Bernstein Visits Darien HS

In support of the Music Department's Curricular Focus Theme on the music of Leonard Bernstein, students and teachers at Darien High School had the opportunity to meet with Jamie Bernstein, Leonard Bernstein's daughter and author of a recent book entitled, "Famous Father Girl, Growing Up Bernstein." Sponsored by the Darien Music Department and the Darien Music for Youth organization this event offered students the opportunity to learn more about the music that they have been studying and performing throughout the school year.

Jamie Bernstein spoke with Darien HS students about the music and life of her father, Leonard Bernstein on March 27th.

Jamie Bernstein enjoying the Leonard Bernstein Poster Contest submissions from our elementary and middle schools.

Attendees at the reception for Jamie Bernstein at Darien High School on March 27th were, front row from L-R:
Dr. Jeffrey Spector, former DHS teacher Robbie Riordan, student, Emily Grandon, Jamie Bernstein, students Evelyn Sload, and Elizabeth Garijo-Garde and DHS Orchestra Director, Jane Minnis. Back row L-R: Music for Youth representative Heather Drugge, Choral Director Christopher Andrade, Band Director, Jonathan Grauer, and students Anan Durango, and Kasey Mazzone.

CT Western Region Music Students from Middlesex

Seven outstanding music students represented Middlesex Middle School  in Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Chorus at the CT Western Region Music Festival which took place on Friday and Saturday, March 15th and 16th at Wilton High School. These students were selected to perform in ensembles with the best middle school music students from throughout Western CT.

Pictured: L-R From top left: Cillian Hallinan, John Raskopf, Ellie Gaaserud From bottom left: Amelia Del Bene, Anya Napoli, Rica Monaghan (Not pictured: Nick Huffman)

Congratulations to the students and their teachers!

Gerry Mulligan Day Proclamation in Darien

Photo: L-R: James Mageras, Mulligan Foundation Music Director, Cathie Phillips, Secretary and Treasurer of the Foundation, Richard Sadlon, Director of Music for the Darien Public Schools, Jayme J. Stevenson, Darien First Selectman, Franca Mulligan, wife of Gerry Mulligan and President of the Franca and Gerry Mulligan Foundation, and Jonathan Grauer, Director of Bands at Darien High School.

Renowned jazz musician and composer, Gerry Mulligan, was recognized with a proclamation from Darien First Selectman, Jamye J. Stevenson, declaring March 1st as Gerry Mulligan Day in Darien. The proclamation reads:

Whereas, Gerry Mulligan was one of the most respected and accomplished jazz musicians and baritone saxophonists of our time. A collection of his work and memorabilia resides at the Library of Congress; and Gerry Mulligan was recognized as an important 20^th century composer, arranger, saxophonist and conductor; and Gerry Mulligan performed with such jazz immortals as Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Lester Young, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Paul Desmond and Billie Holliday; and Gerry Mulligan was a 1981 Grammy Award winner and his work on the “Birth of the Cool” album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame; and Gerry Mulligan was a long-time resident of the Town of Darien, where the Gerry & Franca Mulligan Foundation is still headquartered, Friday, March 1, 2019 is proclaimed to be “Gerry Mulligan Day” to recognize his accomplishments, inspiration to generations of musicians and his contributions to our town.

Darien's 5th Annual Jazz Jamboree Jazz Festival

The 5th Annual Jazz Jamboree Jazz Festival took place at Darien High School on Friday, March 1st.  The festival featured 10 high school Jazz Ensembles from CT and NY performing their music for judges and each other. Participating Jazz Bands from King School, Fairfield Prep, Port Chester, Hamden, Norwalk, Wilton, Fairfield Warde, Westport Staples, Greenwich and Brien McMahon competed and received coaching from judges John Mastroianni and Earl MacDonald from the Jazz Department at the University of Connecticut. Greenwich High School placed first, Hamden High School placed second, and Staples High School placed third. The Gerry Mulligan Outstanding Musician Award was given to Greenwich High School pianist, Lucas Gazianis. The Darien High School Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Jonathan Grauer, performed as exhibition only for the participating bands and judges.

Soloists Jack Armstrong and Doug Werner perform with the Darien HS Jazz Ensemble at the 5th Annual Darien Jazz Jamboree Festival on Friday, March 1st.

John Yoon, the director of the Greenwich Jazz Ensemble accepts the first place award from Darien HS Jazz Director Jonathan Grauer.

Greenwich pianist, Lucas Gazianis was awarded the festival's Gerry Mulligan Outstanding Musician Award. Pictured with Lucas L-R, Jonathan Grauer, and judges Earl MacDonald and John Mastroianni from UCONN.