Holmes School Presents 2019 Spring Concert!!

The Holmes School 3rd grade strings, directed by Ms. Hanley presented their public performance on Wednesday, May 22 at Darien High School. The Holmes Spring Concert featured 212 students in Band, Orchestra or Chorus.

The 4th and 5th Grade Orchestra, conducted by Mrs. DiPietro, performing an impressive rendition Aaron Copeland's "Hoe Down" at the Holmes Spring Concert.

The 4th Grade Beginner Band, conducted by Mrs. DiPietro, opened their portion of the concert with a powerful version of "Starsplitter Fanfare."

The Advanced Band trumpets stand and play a jazzy "Rock Around the Clock" on Wednesday evening's concert. All Advanced Band members then improvised a jazz solo. 

The Holmes School Advanced Band, conducted by Mrs. DiPietro  performing "The Gates of Destiny."

The 2019 Holmes School Chorus performing "Kusimama" conducted by Mrs. Hudak and accompanied by Mr. Bruno on percussion and Mrs. Turkosz at the piano.

The Holmes School Chorus performed "Natural" by Imagine Dragons and featured soloists including Jack Bryer.

The Holmes School Chorus, directed by Mrs. Hudak performed an expressive rendition of "Cross the Wide Missouri" for the full house audience at Darien High School on May 22nd.

Hindley School Presents Their 2019 Spring Concert!!

Ms. Hanley conducts the 3rd grade strings at Hindley School in their first public performance on Tuesday, May 21 at Darien High School. The students impressed the audience with their performance of  "Twinkle Theme and Variations."

The Hindley 4th and 5th grade Orchestra performed Aaron Copeland's "Hoe Down" under the direction of Ms. Hanley.

Orchestra member Lauren Clark performed an Irish Dance as the Orchestra performed Irish fiddle song "Swallow Tail Jig."

The Hindley School Beginner band performed their first public performance on the Darien High School stage under the direction of Mrs. DiPietro. The students opened their program with "Dragon Dance."

The Hindley School Advanced Band performed "Happy" "The Gates of Destiny" and featured jazz soloists on "Twist and Stomp."

The Hindley Chorus performed their Spring Concert under the direction of Mrs. Knapp. Soloists on this selection, "Build a Taco" included Dylan Mejias, Darraugh Hallinan and Gigi Brown.

The Hindley Chorus performed a beautiful arrangement of Leonard Bernstein's "One Hand, One Heart" from West Side Story and featured accompanists Darragh Hallinan on piano and Selen Yasanliel on violin. Vocal soloists were Dylan Mejias and Milana Melnick.

Middlesex Jazz Performs at Lincoln Center

The Middlesex Middle School Jazz Ensemble, under the directions on Mr. James Carter performed at Lincoln Center on Friday, May 17th. 

The Middlesex Jazz Ensemble, led by James Carter, spent a musical Friday, May 17 at the Lincoln Center in NYC. Although the outdoor weather conditions weren’t ideal, the band was resilient and persisted in their efforts to perform an acoustic set on the Lincoln Center Plaza. The students then participated in a workshop at jazz at Lincoln Center with internationally renowned Jazz Educator Justin DiCiccio and observed a practice session with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.

Tokeneke School Spring Concert 2019!!

The Tokeneke 3rd Grade Strings, under the directions of Ms. Hanley,  performed their first formal concert on Thursday, May 16th at Darien High School.

The Tokeneke 3rd Grade Strings performed "Twinkle Variations" "Can Can" and "Allegro"

The Tokeneke Orchestra performed two Leonard Bernstein selections from West Side Story, 

The Tokeneke School Band performs under the direction of Mr. Walters.

The 5th Grade Band students improvise solos on "Band Room Blues" composed for the students by Mr. Walters.

The Tokeneke School Chorus, under the direction of Mrs. Parnoff with student accompanist, Ryan Xing.

The Tokeneke Chorus featured soloists and performed "A Million Dreams" from The Greatest Showman at their Spring Concert on Thursday, May 16th.

Royle School in Concert!

Ms. Minnis leads the Royle 3rd Grade strings in their first public performance at the Royle School Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 15th at Darien High School.

The Royle Advanced Orchestra under the direction of Ms. Minnis performs Leonard Bernstein's "America" from West Side Story on the Darien High School stage.

The Royle 4th grade Band in their first concert under the direction of Mr. Walters. 

The Royle Advanced Band in a great performance of  "To A New Beginning" for the audience on May 15th.

Jazz soloists from the Royle Band are a big hit as they play "Band Room Blues."

The Royle Minstrels perform "Storm" under the direction of Ms. Theisen on the Spring Concert at Darien High School..

Students also accompanied the chorus on their ukuleles as they performed "Count on Me" by Bruno Mars.

Ox Ridge Presents Spring Concert 2019!!

Mr. Spielvogel conducts the Ox Ridge 3rd Grade Strings in their first public concert performance on Monday, May 13th in the Darien High School auditorium

The Ox Ridge Orchestra performed selections featuring solosists cellist, David Lui, and violinist, Sabrina Lee as well as a Leonard Bernstein composition from West Side Story.

Ox Ridge brass players fill the hall with music.

Sydney Johnson improvises a French Horn solo on "Band Room Blues."

The Ox Ridge Advanced Band performs "Band Room Blues" accompanied by Mr. Walters on the piano.

Mr. Allen conducts the Ox Ridge Chorus performing "Woke Up This Morning" at Darien High School on May 13th.

The Ox Ridge Beginning Band performing an arrangement of a theme from Beethoveen's 9th conducted by Mr. Walters.

MMS Bands Perform 2019 Spring Concerts!!

Mrs. Perrett conducts the MMS 6th grade Band in concert at Darien High School on Thursday, May 9th. The Band performed two Leonard Bernstein selections from West Side Story and concluded with a stirring rendition of "Sweet Caroline."

The MMS 7th grade Band under the direction of Mr. Babbin performing "Selections from Lion King," "Zodiac" and an  impressive arrangement of "Malaguena." 

Mr. Carter takes a well-deserved bow after the MMS 8th grade Band's memorable performance on May 9th.

6th Grade Band members warming up before their 2019 Spring Concert performance.

The Middlesex Jazz Ensemble performed 4 selections for a capacity, appreciative crowd at DHS on May 9th. The Jazz Ensemble will be on tour performing at Lincoln Center on May 17th. Mr. Carter is the director of the MMS Jazz program.

CT Arts Administrators Recognizes Rob Werner as Outstanding Arts Advocate

The Connecticut Arts Administrators Association recognized Rob Werner as an outstanding advocate for Music Education at the Arts Advocate's Breakfast event held in the Old Judiciary Room at the CT State Capitol in Hartford on Thursday, May 9th.  Pictured: Rick Sadlon, Director of Music, Terrie Wood, CT State Representative, Rob Werner, CAAA Award recipient and  DHS Director of Bands, Jon Grauer.

Middlesex Orchestras Present Their 2019 Spring Concert

The Middlesex Middle School Orchestras, under the direction of Mr. Austin Scelzo, presented their Spring Concert at Darien High School on Wednesday, May 8th.  The 6th grade Orchestra, pictured above, started out the evenings's performances.

A Bluegrass Band plays an arrangement of "June Apple."

The 7th grade Orchestra performs George Gershwin's "I Got Ryhthm" with improvised solos.

Irish Dancers were special featured guests and performed to "Irish Washerwoman."

The 8th Grade Orchesta takes a bow after their performance of the Agentinian Tango "El Choclo."

The MMS Camerata Singers and Mrs. Sadler joined the ROCKestra in the evening's finale, "Africa."

To hear the entire Middlesex Middle School May 8th Spring Orchestra Concert click on the link:

https://youtu.be/DH6owgPQBr8

Middlesex Choruses Present 2019 Spring Concerts

The MMS 6th Grade Chorus presented their Spring Concert on May 6th. The MMS 6th grade Chorus is directed by Mrs. Sadler and Mr. O'Donnell.

The 6th Grade Chorus performing A Million Dreams (from the Greatest Showman) with featured singers.

The 7th Grade Chorus in Concert performing "I Ask for One Day" conducted by Mrs. Sadler and accompanied by Mr. O'Donnell.

Our 7th Grade Chorus in concert on May 6th.

The 2019 MMS 8th Grade Chorus performs "Breaking Free" with soloists Cian LeVine and Helen Ungar.

The entire 8th Grade Chorus at Darien HS on May 6th.

Our 6th Grade Viva Voce Chorus performs "Bohemian Rhapsody" under the direction of Mrs. Parnoff.

The 2019 MMS Camerata Singers under the direction of Mrs. Kimberly Sadler performing Mr. O'Donnel's arrangement of "Lasso the Moon." 

The Camerata Singers were joined by the MMS ROCKestra as they performing the concert finale "Africa."

Here is a link to the Grade 8 and Camerata Singer Concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBPHRZM16xc&feature=youtu.be