Barynya Brings Russian Music Traditions to DPS Elementary Schools

Members of the Barnya Russian Music Ensemble performed for students at all of the elementary schools in Darien over the past two weeks. In the picture above they are sharing Russian Folk Songs, Dances, Stories, and language with the students at Tokeneke School. The full Barynya 20+ member ensemble, made up of singers, dancers and musicians, will be performing at the Darien High School auditorium in a free public concert on Tuesday, April 17 at 7:00 p.m. The Barynya performances are possible because of a generous gift from the Darien Music for Youth organization.

Stamford Symphony Clarinetist to Lead Workshop at DHS

Clarinet “Boot Camp” Master Class at Darien High School

Stamford Symphony clarinetist, David Sapadin, will be presenting a free, 2 hour clarinet masterclass “boot camp” open to clarinetists of all ages on Wednesday, March 14 from 4:00 -6:00 p.m. in the Darien High School Band room.

David Sapadin is an active freelance musician in the New York City area, having performed with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, American Ballet Theater, New York City Opera, American Symphony, Hong Kong Philharmonic, and Stamford Symphony. I addition to his freelance work, Mr. Sapadin is on faculty at Long Island University-Post, Mannes College Prep Division, Montclair University and can be heard on numerous recordings of the Metropolitan Opera and Rufus Wainwright. You can learn more about David Sapadin at: http://www.davesapadinclarinet.com/  Mr. Sapadin is a Backun Clarinet Artist and his session is sponsored by the Stamford Symphony Orchestra. Teachers and parents are welcomed to attend.

 If you would like to attend this free, informative clarinet session please rsvp at: rsadlon@darienps.org  or call: 203-655-3981 ext: 2329. Darien High School is located at: 80 High School Lane, Darien, CT 06820

Stamford Symphony clarinetist, David Sapadin, will present a "Boot Camp" Masterclass at Darien High School on Wednesday, March 14 from 4:00 -6:00 p.m. in the Darien HS Band Room.

The 2018 Darien All-Town Band Festival

Elementary School flutists in rehearsal to prepare for their
evening performance at the 2018 All-Town Band Festival.

The Darien Public Schools presented the 2018 All-Town Band Festival in the Main Gym at Darien High School on Thursday, March 1. The concert featured over 450 Band students performing individual selections for their grade level Bands and then joined forces to perform a grand finale entitled “Themes from the 1812 Overture.” Darien School Band Directors are: Krista DiPietro at Holmes and Hindley, Colin Walters at Tokeneke, Royle and Ox Ridge,
Gretchen Perrett, MMS 6^th grade band, Jason Polise MMS 7^th grade band, James Carter MMS 8th grade band and Jonathan Grauer, Darien HS Concert Band and Wind Ensemble.  Seventh grade student Zoe Inzer designed the t-shirts worn by all of the students and                                                                                                     teachers at the festival. The concert was live                                                                                              streamed and can be seen on YouTube at:                                                                                                  https://youtu.be/H1Jc_Kk2k64

Elementary School percussionists from all 5 elementary schools
came together to rehearse their selections for the festival.

Darien High School Orchestras Present a Winter Concert

The Darien High School Concert Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and Pops String Ensemble presented a Winter Concert on Wednesday, February 28. The concert featured the music of American composers and included many of the selections that the Orchestra will be performing on their upcoming performance tour to Montreal. The program featured solos by cellists Elizabeth Garijo-Garde and Emma Chase, violinists Catherine O’Connor and Emily Grandon, pianist Jack Lowder, and a penny whistle solo by Megan Cunningham. The director of the Darien Orchestra program is Jane Minnis.

Darien High School Combined Orchestras under the direction of Ms. Jane Minnis present a Winter concert program of American music on February 28th.

DHS Tudor Singers Perform Pacific House Benefit with Javier Colon

DHS Tudor Singers and Choral Director, Christopher Andrade pose for a picture backstage with Javier Colon on Feb. 23.

Shannon Flaherty sings a solo with the DHS Tudor Singers for a Pacific House benefit event in Greenwich.

Javier Colon, winner of “The Voice,” joins with the choral groups of Darien High School, Sacred Heart and Stamford High School to sing “Hallelujah” during the 10th annual Pacific House “Close to Home” fundraiser at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Friday in Greenwich. The event, attended by several hundred local residents and city officials, combined a dessert tasting, silent auction and youth concert to raise funds for the homeless youth program. Over $175,000 was raised to help support Pacific House young adult programs.