Announcing Grade 5-6 Jazz Lab Registration

Announcing Registration for the Darien 5-6 Jazz Lab!

The Music Department of the Darien Public Schools would like to announce an opportunity for all grade 5 and 6 Band students to participate in our Jazz Lab program. The program is available to all 5^th and 6^th grade students currently enrolled in their school bands, with exceptions made for a limited number of piano, bass and guitar students.

Students will be performing music in the jazz, pop and rock styles and will develop skills in improvising, creating and performing their own original music. This ensemble with be directed by Mr. Matthew Curley and is assisted by members of the award winning Darien High School Jazz Ensemble, as well as Music teachers from throughout the district. The ensemble will meet every Thursday from 4:00 -5:00 p.m. at the Darien High School Orchestra room from October 17 through February 6^th.  For more information please contact Jazz Lab Director Matthew Curley at: mcurley@darienps.org by Friday October 11 in order to assure participation.  

You can use the link below for more information about how to sign-up for this opportunity.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cf0unxwDIjgqS08p_tLoirevsete7wok9R0LzrF2IJk/edit?usp=sharing

Music Students Perform for District Convocation

Students from the Darien High School Chamber Orchestra directed by Jane Minnis opened the 2019 District-wide Convocation with a performance of the National Anthem.

Anya Napoli, a 9th grade chorus student at DHS, performed her original Composition, "I Felt It" for all of the staff, teachers and administrators in the district.

Anya Napoli was introduced by new superintendent Dr. Alan Addley and opened up the event by performing her original composition at the 2019 Convocation.

DHS seniors Shannon Flaherty and Sophia Talwalkar performed "For Good" from the musical "Wicked" at the 2019 Convocation and dedicated the song to all of the teachers. The students were accompanied on the piano by Royle General Music teacher Kathleen Theisen.

Middlesex Music Ensembles Receive Awards at Music in the Parks Festival!

The Camerata Singers performed at the Music in the Parks festival in Bristol, CT on Friday, June 7th. The ensemble under the direction of Kimberly Sadler and accompanied by Dwayne Condon received a 1st place, Superior rating and Best Overall Middle School Choir. The judges comments on the score sheet included: "They sounded like a high school choir- a good one!" and "What incredible tone, blend, and choral balance. I adjudicate many festivals around the country and I can tell you how rare it is to hear middle school choirs with your level of artistry"....... WOW!!!!

The MMS Grade 7 and 8 Grade Orchestras, under the direction on Austin Scelzo, performed for the adjudicators at the Music in the Parks festival and received a 1st place and and Excellent rating at the Festival on June 7th. The students all enjoyed an afternoon at Lake Compounce following their performances.

The Middlesex Middle School Honors Band under the direction of Gretchen Perrett and Jim Carter, assisted by Brandon Babbin performed at the Music in the Parks adjudication festival  on June 7th. The Band received a 1st place award, received a Superior rating from the judges and was also awarded the Best Overall Middle School Band.  Students and teachers from all ensembles turned in excellent performances and represented Middlesex Middle School and the Darien Public School quite admirably. Congratulations to all of the participants!!

Elementary Honors Ensembles Perform at Music in the Parks Festival

The Darien Elementary Honors Band, Chorus and Orchestra traveled to Bristol, CT on Saturday, June 1st to perform and participate in the 2019 Music in the Parks Festival. The students performed for adjudicators and received comments and ratings on their musical performances. The Honors Orchestra under the direction of Jane Minnis and Dawn Hanley received a superior rating, the Honors Chorus under the direction of Kathy Knapp and Kathleen Theisen received a first place and superior rating and the Honors Band under the direction of Krista DiPietro and Colin Walters received a superior rating and also were presented with the Espirit De Corps Award for their friendly, cooperative spirit throughout the event.

All of the students had an opportunity to enjoy a beautiful day at Lake Compounce following their adjudicated performances.  Congratulations to all of the students and their teachers!

The 2019 Darien Elementary Honors Orchestra at Lake Compounce.

The 2019 Elementary Honors Band perform in Bristol, CT

The 2019 Elementary Honors Chorus at the Music in the Parks Music Festival on Saturday, June 1st.

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.