Friday, January 11, 2008

Thirteen HHS alumni exhibited art work in the High School lobby ranging from ceramics and figure drawing to commercial art.

Approximately twenty-six alumni participated in the concert on stage in the High School auditorium. There were solos and duets as well as larger groups. Alumni also joined the High School Select Chorus, Chorus and Concert Band in selections form Jesus Christ Superstar, Top Gun and The Lord of the Dance.

Harwich High School’s Music Department is incredibly proud of the large representation of our students in the All-Cape & Islands Music Festival.

All three of our violinists who auditioned for the Orchestra made it.

YAHOOOOOO! to Sarah Ray, Jeff Strome, and Ellen Birmingham.

A big shout of BRAVO! to Greg Minckler who is the oboe player for the Orchestra as well as meaning he earned the highest score of those who auditioned.

Harwich High School will be represented in the Concert Band by Kristen Walther (clarinet).

In the Chorus, Harwich High School will be represented by Mackenzie Hamilton, Courtney Ellis, Courtney Mara, Michelle Hemeon, Alyssa Flynn,Tom Segal, Chad Wimberly, Sean Cunningham, Joe Malone, Pat Blute, Josh Keyes, and Nate Burnie.

BRAVO HARWICH!

In the highly competitive Southeastern Massachusetts District Music Festival, Harwich will be represented in the Chorus by Courtney Ellis, Gina Vitale, Mackenzie Hamilton, Michelle Hemeon, Ellen Birmingham, Tom Segal, Sean Cunningham, Chad Wimberly, Josh Keyes, and Tony Spaulding.

Greg Minckler was the highest scoring oboe player in this competition as well and will be sitting first chair in the Orchestra along with Jeff Strome who earned a high score amongst the auditioning violinists.

Greg, Jeff , Chad, and Tony all earned scores that qualified them to audition in January for the Massachusetts All-State Music Festival!

We are so proud of all of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Harwich High School

MMEA All State Concert Participants

Grease was the word at Harwich High School, March 29th - 31st.

Read about the production here.

February 2007

The All-Cape Cod & Islands Music Festival held at Barnstable High School was more than “just” a gathering of student musicians. In its 47 th year, it was a celebration of tradition, our talented young people, their respective music teachers and our schools. One cannot imagine another occasion for which three hundred students from sixteen Cape Cod and Island schools come together in such a professional, cooperative fashion.

The acoustics in the Performing Arts Center were wonderful and the large hall easily accommodated the record setting audience that was estimated to number around 1,000. The orchestra was conducted by Ira M. Schaefer, a former strings teacher in Barnstable who currently teaches in Somerset, MA. The Festival Chorus Conductor was Kevin Fenton of Florida State University, and Laura Rexroth of UMASS Amherst led the Festival Band.

From the Star Spangled Banner that tugged on the audience’s patriotic heartstrings to the breath-taking beauty of the chorus’s performance of “A Balm in Gilead” to the spirited march that ended the concert on an upbeat note, the crystal clear music selections were lively and enjoyable to all, even those who are not studied in the finer points of music. It was difficult to believe that these young people had been playing with each other for a mere three days. The program progressed at a welcome pace, and very little time was lost during the group changes, a testament to the exceptional organization behind the scenes that allowed for the seemingly effortless movement of three hundred teenagers and their instruments.

All three conductors complemented the discipline, energy and talent that the students brought to the festival. Confidence and professionalism was apparent on all of the performers’ faces. Kevin Fenton remarked that he was not only impressed with the students but also with the positive, enthusiastic attitudes and remarks of the teachers involved. No doubt he was referring. in part, to Rose Richard of Harwich who was acting as Chorus Manager and is such an inspiration to the students at Harwich High School.

View the All-Cape Photo Gallery here.

Listen to the All-Cape Music Festival here.

*****************************************

January 2007

There were smiles all around at the 3rd Annual Harwich High School Alumni Show/Concert held on Friday evening, January 12 At Harwich High School.

The Art Exhibit in the foyer showcased the work of fifteen alumni including paintings, drawings, pottery, cartoons and fashion designs. Several exhibitors now work professionally in the visual arts field, which is a tribute to what Harwich High School offers in its Art curriculum.

In the auditorium, twenty alumni performed in various ensembles and with the High School Select Chorus, Chorus, Jazz Band and Concert Band. The audience was treated to dance and music ranging from rock to jazz to classical. There was something for everyone's taste!

It was a unique and much appreciated opportunity for alumni to connect with old friends and for several sets of siblings to perform for the first time with one another on stage. Several freshmen rose to the occasion and delivered outstanding performances. The show was seamless despite just one rehearsal, attesting to the professionalism and confidence that Rose Richard instills in those around her.

As the choir, band and alumni crowded the stage for the final number one would wonder if a larger venue would be in order, but another site would most definitely fall short. Despite the euphemism that "you can't go home again,” alumni can always come home to the Harwich High School Arts Department.

Listen to selected pieces of the Alumni Concert.