Music Teachers Determined to Keep the Music Playing!

Music teachers in the Darien Public School are continuing to develop resources to keep their students engaged in the music making process. during the extended school closure. Below are a couple of pictures representing the instruction that is continuing to take place.

Royle School third grade violin student, Gaby Boudo, continues her violin lessons with online guidance and direction from her string teacher, Ms. Jane Minnis.  

The DHS cast of "Godspell" continues to meet and work on their show under the direction of teachers Tim Sorenson, Emily Frangiapani and Kimberly Sadler.

Ox Ridge student Ryan Corrigan uses home-made instruments to engage in rhythmic compositions activities designed by Ox Ridge Music teacher Mr. James Allen.

Royle 5th grade student Caroline Gies and her 2nd grade sister Catherine Gies engage in singing songs and a variety musical activities provided by Royle Music teacher Ms. Kathleen Theisen. 

Mr. Dylan Spielvogel, strings teacher at Ox Ridge School, keeps the music going with his third grade string students via a Zoom group lesson 

Darien Young Composers Event

                        Darien Young Composers Opportunity


Due to the extended closure of our schools, the Darien Young Composers event has been postponed to a future date to be determined. Subsequently, the deadline for original music submissions, which was today, March 16th, has also been extended until further notice. Our Music teachers are still encouraging students to take advantage of the extra time they might now have to create and submit their original music.

More information regarding our Young Composers program and guidelines for submission can be found on our Music Department website located on the DPS main page, go to Departments, then to Music or:  Darien Young Composers Guidelines 2020

Here are a couple suggestions to encourage our students to become involved in the creative process of making and presenting their own original music.

1. Speak positively about the opportunity and experience and how great it would be to actually create and perform some original musical ideas.

2. Have students collaborate with their friends online using notation software flat.io. This keeps them on track and adds a social element to the process.

3. Inform a student’s private music lesson teacher about the opportunity and have them work it into their weekly music lesson.

4. Have students start with a small, short musical idea and then develop it over time. This can begin with a catchy phrase, an idea, a life event, or a saying or rhythm that will eventually be the basis for their original music.

5. Students can get ideas by listening to songs and musical compositions by professionals and then imitating their style, form and overall presentation. Many great composers and musicians have “borrowed” ideas from other great composers. It is almost an expectation to build on the work of others.

6. Give students space and time to think creatively and complete the task. We all have different “triggers” that may inspire us to be more creative. Some of us need a more structured methodical approach and some of us are more motivated to create when the “muse” strikes.

7. Sometimes the most difficult part is simply getting started.  Being aware of a deadline for completion and submission always seems to be somewhat of a motivator.

8. If students have an idea for a song, but are not sure what to do with it, they can always email one of their music teachers for guidance, advice and direction.

Our Darien Young Composers Concerts have always been positive, successful and somewhat amazing events where we can hear and experience the musical ideas of our young people. Although our 2020 program has been postponed, we encourage all of our students to continue to create their own music.

DHS Orchestra Performs In Orlando!

The Darien High School Orchestra performed at Universal Studios Lagoon Stage at City Walk on Friday, March 6.  That afternoon, they attended a Universal STARS workshop on Film Scoring and Sound Effects, where they played the music, added voices and sound effects to a clip from "Despicable Me."  On Saturday, the students attended OrlandoFest and worked with Arthur Pranno, a professor of violin at Polk State College, on ensemble performance.  The group also attended the American String Teachers conference. The Director of the Darien HS Orchestra program is Jane Minnis.

The Darien HS Orchestra, under the direction of Ms. Jane Minnis performed at several venues in the Orlando area, including Universal Studios, on March 5-8

Darien Jazz Jamboree Festival

The Darien High School Jazz Jamboree Competitive HS Jazz Festival was held at Darien High School on friday, March 6th and featured groups from: Middlesex Middle School, King School, Fairfield Prep, Brien McMahon, Staples, Port Chester, Hamden, Greenwich, Fairfield Warde, and Darien, with a special guest performance from the UCONN Jazz Ensemble under the direction of John Mastroianni.  Westport Staples HS placed 1st, Fairfield Warde HS placed 2nd and Brien McMahon HS placed third. Kevin Tzanetis, a trumpet player from Staples was awarded the Gerry Mulligan Outstanding Musician award. The Darien HS Jazz Director and organizer of this annual event is Jonathan Grauer.

The Westport Staples HS Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Phil Giampietro, placed first at the Jazz Jamboree Festival on March 6th at Darien HS.

The Darien HS Jazz Ensemble, hosted the festival under the direction of Jonathan Grauer, and performed for comments and exhibition only at the annual Jazz Festival event.  

The University of CT Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of John Mastroianni, performed for all of the high school students who participated in the festival on March 6th.

Darien 6-12 Choral Festival Features Over 600 Students

The Darien All-Town Secondary Choral Festival was held in the DHS Gym on Wednesday, March 4th and featured the musical accomplishments of over 600 chorus students in grades 6-12. The directors of our middle school and high school choruses are: Rebecca Parnoff, Viva Voce, Kim Sadler and Tom O'Donnell, grade 6,7 8 Choruses and Chris Andrade, the DHS Concert Choir and Tudor Singers.

The Grade 6 Chorus performing "Bonse Aba" under the direction of Kimberly Sadler and Thomas O'Donnell.

The 6th grade Viva Voce ensemble performing "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" directed by Rebecca Parnoff and Kimberly Sadler.

The 7th Grade Chorus rocked the house with a performance of ""Footloose" directed by Kimerly Sadler and Thomas O'Donnell on March 4th. at DHS.

The Camerata Singers performed "What a Wonderful World" under the direction of Kimberly Sadler.

The 8th grade Chorus directed by Kim Sadler and Tom O'Donnell performing "This Old Hammer."

The Darien HS Concert Choir performed "Aya Ngena" a traditional Zulu folk song, under the direction of Christopher Andrade.

The Darien HS Tudor Singers turned in an impressive performance of the Moses Hogan classic, "The Battle of Jericho" under the direction of Christopher Andrade on March 4th.

Darien High School Band present Winter Step-up Concert with MMS 8th Grade Band

The Darien HS Percussion Ensemble opening up the Ste-up Concert on February 27th.

Director of Band at Darien High School, Jonathan Grauer, conducts the Concert Band performing, "Unraveling" by Andrew Boysen.

The Middlesex Grade 8 Band conducted by Mr. James Carter performing "Blue Tango" at Darien HS on February 27th.

                                     

The DHS Jazz Ensemble features the saxophone section on "Crusin' for a Bluesin'" L-R: Nolan Lovegrove, Katie Keating, Matt Bergwall, Grant Mcyntyre and Jake Dansker.

The Honors Wind Ensemble conducted by Mr. Jonathan Grauer performing "Metroplex" by Robert Sheldon.

The combined Wind Ensemble, Concert Band and MMS Grade 8 Band perform Robert Buckley's "Jitterbug" as the finale selection of the Step-up Concert on February 27th.