Darien Music Virtual Winter Concerts - Part 2

 Here is another round of Virtual Winter Concerts produced by the students and teachers of the Darien Public Schools!  They battled snow storms and remote learning days to get these projects finished before the Holiday Break.  There will be more concerts to share in January!  Happy Holidays!

Jim Carter and students from the 6th grade band present Up on the Housetop - Chloe Zou and Emily Harris, flute; Ilse Fedoronko and Tomas Madariaga, clarinet; and Rafi Choudhari, percussion.  Click here for Up on the Housetop

Dawn Hanley and the Hindley 4th and 5th Grade Orchestra present their Winter Concert.  Click here for the Hindley Orchestra Winter Concert

Kim Sadler and students from MMS Camerata and Becky Parnoff and students from MMS Viva Voce present Holiday Postcards.  Click here for MMS Holiday Postcards

Matt Curley and the MMS 7th grade band perform Intensity by Sean O'Loughlin.  Click here for the MMS 7th Grade Band

Matt Curley and the MMS 8th grade band perform Allegra Con Fuoco from Dvorak's "New World Symphony." Click here for the MMS 8th Grade Band

Jane Minnis and the DHS Concert Orchestra perform Sleigh Ride by Percy Hall.  Click here for DHS Concert Orchestra Sleigh Ride

Jane Minnis and the Royle Orchestra perform Songs of the Season:  Chanukah, Chanukah, Jingle Bells, and Ode to Joy.  Click here for Royle Orchestra Songs of the Season

Jane Minnis and the DHS Orchestras perform Let It Snow. Click here for DHS Orchestra Let it Snow

Colin Walters and the Royle Band perform Holiday Medley. Click here for the Royle Band Holiday Medley

Chris Andrade and the DHS Concert Choir perform Sleigh Bells arr. Earlene Rentz.  Click here for DHS Concert Choir Sleigh Bells

Chris Andrade and the DHS Concert Choir perform Peace Canon by Donald Moore.  Click here for DHS Concert Choir Peace Canon

Chris Andrade and the DHS Tudor Singers perform Peace Canon by Holst/Rosetti arr. Jennings.  In the Bleak Midwinter

Jon Grauer and the DHS Brass Ensemble perform The First Noel.  Click here for the DHS Brass Ensemble The First Noel

Darien Music Virtual Winter Concerts - Part One

 Teachers and students from the Darien Public Schools Music Department recently produced virtual performances to share with the community.  This is part one - more to come!

Krista DiPietro and the Hindley School 5th Grade Advanced Band present their Winter Concert:

Click here for Hindley Band Winter Concert

Krista DiPietro and the Holmes 4th and 5th Grade Strings students and the 5th Grade Advanced Band students present their Winter Recital: Click here for Holmes Winter Recital

Matt Curley and the Middlesex Middle School Virtual Jazz Ensemble present "Cold Duck Time" by Eddie Harris: Click here for the MMS Jazz Ensemble

Matt Curley and students from the Middlesex Middle School 7th and 8th Grade Band present "Let It Snow": Click here for the MMS 7th and 8th grade Band

Chris Andrade and students from the DHS Tudor Singers and the Bridgeport chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society's mixed voice choir perform "S'Vivon" arranged by Betty Bertaux: Click here for S'Vivon

DHS Band Turkey Drive and DHS Choir with Chanticleer

 Darien High School Band Holds Annual Turkey Drive

 

Photo 1: DHS Band Members, Anna Schorr and Matthew Taylor

 

Photo 2: l-r, DHS Band Members, Dalton Moss and Teddy Peters

 

Member of the DHS Band held their annual turkey drive on 11/24 before school. The students collected 95 fresh and frozen turkeys, as well as other side items for the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County. This year, more than ever, the group was proud to help their neighbors in need!

Darien High School Choir virtual workshop with Chanticleer

On Friday, November 20, the DHS choirs participated a long-distance master class with four of the singers in Chanticleer, one of the world’s most acclaimed professional choral ensembles.  Chris Andrade and approximately 60 students from the DHS choirs attended the workshop and professional development session along with teachers in the DHS music department.  Thank you to Chanticleer, Mr. Andrade and the DHS choir students for this wonderful opportunity!

Darien Music Veteran's Day

 Teachers and students from the Darien High School Music Department commemorated Veteran's Day through special performances and presentations.

Kim Sadler and MMS Choir students Lilia Slattery, Nico Johnston, Maddie Hardy and Samantha Riley perform the National Anthem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNJ1vvLXAkc&feature=youtu.be

Austin Scelzo and MMS Orchestra students Selen Yasenliel, Luka Zhou, and David Lui perform My Country Tis of Thee: Click here - MMS Orchestra My Country Tis of Thee

MMS Band students Luli Escajadillo and Charlotte West perform Taps:  Click here - MMS Band students perform Taps

Becky Parnoff and her 1st grade music students at Tokeneke participated in a virtual Q&A with Master Sergeant Eric Sabo, a bassist with the "The President's Own" United States Marine Band.  To prepare for the session, Mrs. Parnoff developed a series of lessons using videos provided by the Marine Band and the students wrote questions to ask MSgt Sabo.  The students in that class were virtual that day, so all students participated via Zoom.  MSgt Sabo said this was the youngest class with whom he had ever worked!  Congratulations to Mrs. Parnoff and the students in Ms. Elaides 1st grade class for your great work!

DHS Ensembles present virtual performances

The Darien High School Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and Tudor Singers recently produced virtual performances to share with the community.

On October 26th, the DHS Orchestras filmed their first concert of the year, a Halloween Spooktacular.  The concert is available online at https://youtu.be/yZCx-bM7Uew.

In October, the DHS Wind Ensemble filmed their performance of Frank Tichelli's Amazing Grace.

The performance is available online at https://youtu.be/RIvaCrbMR18.

In celebration of Veteran's Day, the DHS Tudor Singers created a special performance of the Star Spangled Banner.  Click here to view the video.

Darien "Virtual" Summer Strings Performs "Stars and Stripes Forever"

      Darien Summer Strings Perform "Stars and Stripes Forever"

Students from the Darien "Virtual" Summer Strings, under the direction of Jane Minnis and assisted by Mr. Dylan Spielvogel, perform John Philip Sousa's "Starts and Stripes Forever."  The groups plan to do a virtual concert each week.
Click on the link to hear and see their performance: Darien Summer Strings Perform "Stars and Stripes Forever" 

Darien Advanced Summer Strings Online

Darien Advanced Summer Strings is moving online this year!  

https://programs.dariensummerschool.com/CourseCatalog/ScheduleView.asp?ScheduleId=5315

The Darien Advanced Summer Strings will be virtually working together for three weeks from June 29-July 17.  Every day, from 10:30 to 12:30, they will learn new music in a variety of styles and work on creating virtual performances in lieu of their usual community concerts.  Other interactive activities will also be scheduled into the sessions in addition to the music-making!  Ms. Minnis and the class will produce a virtual concert each week to share with family and friends. Contact Ms. Minnis at: jminnis@darienps.org if you have any questions. 

This session is open to all string students in grades 7-12, and offers an opportunity for students to keep engaged in improving their musical skills over the summer.  Happy Summer!  🌞

DHS Orchestra Seniors, Camerata's "Wonderful World" and Royle's Second Grade Jazz Show

Enjoy a virtual presentation created by Orchestra Director Ms. Jane Minnis as a tribute the 2020 graduating seniors in the Darien High School Orchestra.  Tribute to the DHS Orchestra Seniors

           MMS Camerata Singers Perform Wonderful World!!

The Middlesex Middle School Camerata Singers performing "Wonderful World" as a tribute for 8th grade graduation. The MMS Camerata Singers are conducted by Mrs. Kimberly Sadler. Accompanist was Ms. Kathleen Theisen and video production expertise was provided by Mr. Dylan Spielvogel. Listen here:                                                                            MMS Camerata Singers Perform Wonderful World!!

        Royle 2nd Grade Show "Jazz: A Swingin' Celebration!!"

Jazz: A Swingin' Celebration, by Teresa Jennings. Adapted and edited by Ms. Kathleen Theisen. Royle School 2nd Grade Music Classes. The 2nd Grade show was scheduled for March 12, but school closed on March 11, so Ms. Theisen edited together rehearsal videos to create this 'movie' of what the show would have been! All music is from Essential Elements Music Class, MusicK8 magazine and MusicPlayOnline dot com - all of which are part of our music curriculum. Script is from MusicK8 Magazine.  See it here: Royle 2nd Grade Show "Jazz: A Swingin' Celebration!!"

Concert Choir Virtual Performance, Senor Percussion Project

Congratulations to Harrington Fund recipients from our Music Department: Jane Minnis, Austin Scelzo and Dylan Spielvogel. 3 out of the 4 district's Harrington Fund recipients this year were string teachers from the Music Department! We are looking forward to hearing about your experiences.



                                      Darien HS Concert Choir Performs Jubilate Deo

The Darien HS Concert Choir present a virtual performance of "Jubilate Deo," a 5-part Renaissance Canon. Christopher Andrade is the conductor of our Concert Choir. 

                                     Darien HS Concert Choir Performs Jubilate Deo

                                        DHS Percussionists Present their Senior Project

Darien High School senior percussionists John Fallon, Jackson Bell, Jacob Grimm and Tim Bellingham collaborate to present a musical senior project.Their project advisor was DHS Band Director, Jonathan Grauer. Enjoy their music and commentary here: DHS Percussionists Present their Senior Project

DHS Pops Strings and Holmes Orchestra 2020 Memories

                             Holmes Strings 2020 Memories Slide Show

Mrs. Krista DiPietro presents her Holmes string students in a nostalgic slide show.                 
 Click here: Holmes Strings 2020 Memories Slide Show 

                       Darien HS Pops Strings Perform Soul Bossa Nova

The Darien High School Pops Strings perform a virtual WeVideo version of Soul Bossa Nova. The director of the DHS Pops Strings is Ms.Jane Minnis. 
Click here to hear their performance: Darien HS Pops Strings Perform Soul Bossa Nova

Introduction to Strings-Registration for Beginning Third Grade Strings

All DPS students entering third grade in the fall will have an opportunity to participate in the string program at their respective schools. Nearly 250 third grade students across the district receive weekly instruction on string instruments. Registration information is now available at the links below, from teachers, or on the Music Department website.

The Darien Beginning 3rd Grade String Program RegistrationPresentation and Information

Darien Schools Virtual Beginning String Registration Information

The Music Department of the Darien Public Schools is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for all current second grade students to be a part of our award winning Darien Orchestra program as third graders next fall. All current second grade students in the Darien Public Schools who wish to begin learning a string instrument in the fall of this year are invited and encouraged to view the virtual Beginning String Information and Registration presentation at: The Darien Beginning 3rd Grade String ProgramRegistration Presentation and Information  

This virtual presentation is for interested students and their parents in all five of Darien’s Elementary Schools. An explanation of our String program, instrument demonstrations, instrument rental program information, and class registrations for this fall will be addressed in this presentation. All interested students who will be entering third grade in the fall are eligible to begin string instrument instructions.  The presentation information is also posted on the Music Department page of the Darien Public Schools website.

If you have any questions regarding the elementary String program in the Darien Public Schools, please contact the Elementary String teachers:

Dawn Hanley for Holmes, Hindley and Tokeneke at: dhanley@darienps.org

Jane Minnis for Royle at: jminnis@darienps.org

Dylan Spielvogel for Ox Ridge at: dspielvogel@darienps.org

Elementary Beginner Band Registration-DHS Percussion Ensemble!

                                                                                                                                                                                         Darien Schools Beginning Band Registration Information

The Music Department of the Darien Public Schools is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for all current third and fourth grade students to be a part of our award winning Darien Band program. All current third and fourth grade students in the Darien Public Schools who wish to begin learning a band instrument in the fall of this year are invited and encouraged to view the virtual Beginning Band Information and Registration presentation at: www.tinyurl.com/joindarienband  This presentation is for interested students and their parents in all five of Darien’s Elementary Schools. An explanation of our Band program, instrument demonstrations, instrument rental program information, and class registrations for this fall will be addressed in this presentation. All interested students who will be entering 4^th or 5^th grade in the fall are eligible to begin Band instrument instructions.  The presentation information is also posted on the Music Department page of the Darien Public Schools website or click here:  Beginning Band Registration for Fall 2020  

If you have any questions regarding the elementary Band program in the Darien Public Schools, please contact the Elementary Band teachers: Krista DiPietro at Holmes and Hindley kdipietro@darienps.org or Matt Curley at Ox Ridge, Royle or Tokeneke School mcurley@darienps.org

                                            The Darien HS Percussion Ensemble Performs "Alarm" 

The Darien High School Percussion Ensemble does a virtual performance of Brian Blume's compositon "Alarm." Mr. Grauer is the director of the Percussion Ensemble. 

       Listen here:   The Darien HS Percussion Ensemble Performs "Alarm"

Ode to Joy! USCG Jazz Clinic, Tokeneke Jams and Hindley 3rd Grade Music Class!

Ox Ridge Strings Performs "Ode to Joy"

Mr. Dylan Spielvogel's created an opportunity for our Ox Ridge Strings to perform perform their version of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" with a full orchestra. Enjoy this special performance!

Over 100 band students in the Darien Public Schools participated in a virtual masterclass session on jazz improvisation with United States Coast Guard Musician, 1st Class Bryce Call. Mr. Call is a trumpet player who has performed with Aretha Franklin, Jon Faddis and the Bob Curnow Big Band as well as his current position in the Coast Guard Band. The students were able to hear Mr. Call perform, listened to examples of jazz performances and began to play the blues scale. The students were able to submit questions with the chat option and asked questions about trumpet and jazz performance, musical influences and practice routines. The session took place on Wednesday, May 20th and was set up and hosted by Middlesex Middle School Band Director, Brandon Babbin.

Tokeneke School Band Virtual C Jam Blues

The Tokeneke Band students recorded a jam session performing Duke Ellington's "C Jam Blues." Mr. Matt Curley is the Band Director at Tokeneke School.

Hindley 3rd grader Ryan Marty sings along with Hindley Music teacher Mrs. Kathy Knapp during Ryan's favorite eLearning class....Music!

Allie Schuck watched the jazz clinic with Bryce Call on May 20th

Recitals for Senior Citizens, Zoom Rehearsals, US Coast Guard Band Master Classes, Home Recitals and Movement to Jurassic Park!JK

DHS Tri-M Honor Society Quarantine Concert #1

The Darien HS Tri-M Music Honor Society has created a series of "Quarantine" concert recitals for local retirement communities. Ms. Jane Minnis is the Tri-M advisor.

The Middlesex 6th grade Band class and Mrs. Perrett, playing trumpet, rehearsing a virtual Zoom version of "What a Wonderful World" 

Middlesex 7th grade Band Director, Brandon Babbin, has arrange for US Coast Guard trumpet player Bryce Call to do a virtual workshop with our Band students in the Darien Public Schools on Wednesday, May 20th. Musician 1st Class Bryce Call has performed lead trumpet for Aretha Franklin and Bob Curnow and has performed in the studio with trumpet greats such as Jon Faddis. In conjunction with the district's Curricular Focus Theme on Jazz, Mr. Call will focus the Darien workshop on Jazz improvisation.

The Royle School String Players performed a Living Room Recital for their families.  In lieu of the Spring Concert, each string player will be performed a special concert for their own family on Thursday, May 14th  Over the last few weeks, they have been preparing a program of music, which includes Hot Cross Buns and Twinkle Twinkle for the 3rd Grade Beginners to I Got Rhythm and Strawberry Jam Session for the Orchestra players.

Julia (gr. 4) and Thomas (gr.3) Desai perform a living room recital for their parents on May 14th. Jane Minnis is the Strings teacher at Royle School.

Ox Ridge Kindergarten student J.J. McGrath does engages in movement with a scarf/towel to the music of John Williams

Ox Ridge Kindergarten student Maggie Mitchell also engages in movement activities to the music of John Williams as she watches Ox Ridge Kindergarten Music Teacher Kristen Turkosz on her computer.

Music Department Virtual Jams, Rhythmic Notation, Ode to Joy and Home Solo Recitals

                                            Ox Ridge Band Virtual Jam Session

The Ox Ridge Band recently participated in a virtual jam. The students, lead by Ox Ridge Band teacher Matt Curley, are improvising to Duke Ellington's "C Jam Blues." Ox Ridge Band Virtual Jam Session

                                                       Ox Ridge Band Virtual Jam Session     

Hindley 3rd Grade student Killian Ryan is participating in an eLearning lesson on rhythmic notation created by Hindley Music teacher Kathy Knapp, who is pictured on the computer screen.

Two of our elementary strings teachers, Dawn Hanley (Tokeneke, Hindley and Holmes) and Dylan Spielvogel (Ox Ridge) provide a sample play-a-long version of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy," complete with chorus, to provide our third grade string students with an opportunity to play along with a full orchestra.

Members of the DHS Orchestra prepared for a special, at-home Solo Recital on Wednesday, May 6th at 7:00 pm.  Each student performed their chosen selection for their family as other audience members observed the performance through FaceTime or Skype.  A video recording of the event was then shared with DHS Orchestra Director, Jane Minnis.