Darien Schools Concert Calendar for December 2017!

Darien Schools Announce December Concert Schedule

The Darien Public School Music Department would like to announce their schedule of upcoming holiday winter concert programs for the month of December. The concerts will feature nearly 2,000 Band Chorus and Orchestra students performing in 10 concert programs throughout the district. There is no charge for any of the winter concerts. The schedule of concerts is as follows:

December 4       MMS Grade 6&7 Winter Chorus Concert                         6:30 p.m.             DHS 

December 4       MMS Grade 8 Chorus and Camerata Concert                   8:00 p.m.             DHS

December 5       Royle Holiday Concert                                                      9:15 a.m.              Royle 

December 6       MMS Grade 6, 7, 8 Orchestras Winter Concert                7:00 p.m.              DHS 

December 7       MMS Grade 6, 7, 8  Bands Winter Concert                      7:00 p.m.               DHS 

December 8       Hindley Holiday Concert                                                   9:30 a.m.              Hindley 

December 11     Tokeneke Holiday Concert                                                 9:30 a.m.             Tokeneke

December 12     Holmes Holiday Concert                                                    9:30 a.m.              Holmes 

December 13     Darien HS Holiday Spectrum Concert                               7:00 p.m.             DHS 

December 14     Ox Ridge Holiday Concert                                                  9:45 a.m.            Ox Ridge 

For more Music Department information go to: www.darienps.org/music or sign on to the Music Department Blog at: www.darienmusic.blogspot.com

DHS Band Students Perform at ASBDA Honors Band Festival!

On Monday, November 13, six of our Darien High School Band students performed at the annual ASBDA (American School band Directors Association) Connecticut High School Honors Band Festival held at Maloney High School in Meriden, CT. The festival featured students from 15 high schools from throughout the state in both a Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble conducted by guest conductors Michael Breaux from NYU, and Gerald Dolan of Gordon College.  Oboist, Alex Wang performed in the Wind Ensemble and performing in the Symphonic Band from Darien HS were: Audrey Hagen, bass clarinet, Veronica Mejias and Brooke Laird, trumpet, Madison Pomeroy, trombone and Jacob Won, clarinet. Jonathan Grauer is the Darien High School Band Director and ASBDA member.  Congratulations to all of our student musicians!

Pictured L-R: Audrey Hagan, Alex Wang, Veronica Mejias, Brooke Laird, Madison Pomeroy and Jacob Won.

DHS Tudor Singers, Concert Choir and MMS Grade 8 Chorus Present Fall Concert!

The Darien High School Choruses directed by Christopher Andrade joined forces with the MMS Grade 8 Chorus, directed by Kimberly Sadler and Thomas O'Donnell to present an evening of  choral music on Wednesday, November 1. The concert featured each ensemble performing a varied repertoire of musical selections and concluded with approximately 230 students in a performance of  "Kalinka" a Russian traditional folk song. Pictured above, DHS student, Caeleigh O'Connor accompanies the combined choruses with her accordian to provide a more authentic Russian sound.

Hear the concert finale "Kalinka" at the link below

Combined Choirs perform "Kalinka" (Trad. Russian, arr. Audrey Snyder) at the Darien High School 2017 Fall Choral Concert.

DHS and MMS Orchestras Perform with Jazz Violinist Christian Howes!!

The Darien High School Orchestra joined forces with the MMS grade 8 Orchestra on Saturday evening in a concert featuring acclaimed jazz violinist Christian Howes. Pictured above, Jane Minnis and Austin Scelzo each conducted  various string ensembles while Christian Howes performed. Approximately 140 string students participated.

DHS Band Night Concert Includes MMS Grade 8 Band Students!

The first concert of the school year featured nearly 180 Band students from the Darien High School and the Middlesex Middle School 8th grade Band in a concert on Thursday, October 26. The concert featured the DHS Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Band and our MMS 8th Grade Band. Each ensemble performed individually and then combined forces for a grand finale. The concert included several selections from Russian composers to address the district's Russian Music theme this year. Jonathan Grauer is the Director of Bands at Darien High School and James Carter is the Director of the MMS Grade 8 Band.

Upcoming concerts include the DHS Orchestra Concert, featuring acclaimed jazz violinist Christian Howes, this Saturday, October 28 and the DHS Chorus Night Concert on Wednesday, November 1. Both performances begin at 7:00 p.m. in the DHS auditorium and will also feature guest performances from our 8th grade musicians.