music

Melrose Schools Orchestra Director Named Director of the Year

⋅ Client News, School News ⋅ , , , ⋅ 1 Comment

Melrose Public Schools
Superintendent Cyndy S. Taymore
360 Lynn Fells Parkway
Melrose , MA 02176

For Immediate Release

Friday, June 8, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Melrose Schools Orchestra Director Named Massachusetts Director of the Year 

Melrose Schools Orchestra Director Luke Miller, seen here assisting a young student with the violin, has been named the state's Orchestra Director of the Year. (Courtesy Photo/Melrose Symphony Orchestra)
Melrose Schools Orchestra Director Luke Miller, seen here assisting a young student with the violin, has been named the state’s Orchestra Director of the Year. (Courtesy Photo/Melrose Symphony Orchestra)

MELROSE — Superintendent Cyndy S. Taymore and Director of Global Education Kimberly Talbot, are very excited to announce that Melrose Schools Orchestra Director Luke Miller has been named the state’s Orchestra Director of the Year.

After being anonymously nominated by another professional in the field — and fellow member of American String Teachers Association (ASTA) — the entire ASTA body voted Miller the best candidate for the 2018 Massachusetts Orchestra Director of the Year.

Miller was chosen for his outstanding leadership of the Melrose High, Middle, and Elementary school orchestras.

“We are so proud of Luke and all that he has achieved as Orchestra Director,”  Superintendent Taymore said. “He has a real gift for teaching, and his love of music inspires students to pursue their interests in different instruments.”

The award was presented at the final Massachusetts ASTA meeting of the year, which was held on Tuesday, June 5.

Miller directs Melrose Middle and High school orchestras. He also serves as one of the Elementary school string specialists, helping foster a love of organized ensemble music early on among students in the Melrose Public Schools. He is also actively involved with music education at the state level. He volunteers as a member on the executive board of the Massachusetts Music Educators Association, Northeastern District. He is also currently the assistant festival coordinator for the MMEA-ND Senior District Festival. In the past, Miller has served as the Orchestra Manager for the MMEA-ND Junior District Festival, MMEA-ND Senior District Festival, as well as the Massachusetts All State Festival. For the past 5 years, he has been a guest conductor at the March String Fest, held in Billerica each spring. He is regularly collaborating with other music teachers from around the state, working to provide the best possible musical experience for our students.

Melrose Middle and High schools regularly compete at the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association festival under Miller’s teaching. Many of his students have earned spots in the district orchestra. Some students also play in the Melrose Symphony Orchestra. Miller has most recently led the entire string program in Melrose through a two-year Composer in Residence project to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Melrose Symphony Orchestra.

Miller is a violinist and currently performs with the Melrose Symphony Orchestra, and on occasion, with other local community orchestras. Throughout the summer, he works as a faculty member at various music camps including the University of New Hampshire’s Summer Youth Music School, the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Days in the Arts, and the String Music Festival at Endicott College. He is also a staff member of the New England Ambassadors of Music program.

Miller has been with the district since August, 2012 and is an invaluable member of the Melrose School community.

“Luke Miller is an inspired educator who fosters a love of music in our students from a very early age,” Talbot said. “We have seen, first-hand, the benefits of a strong investment in musical education and how it creates stronger, more invested students. The Melrose community is very lucky to have a treasure like Luke.”

###

Melrose Students Shine at Annual School Talent Show

⋅ Client News, School News ⋅ , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

Melrose Public Schools
Superintendent Cyndy S. Taymore
360 Lynn Fells Parkway
Melrose , MA 02176

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Melrose Students Shine at Annual School Talent Show

MELROSE — Principal Jason Merrill is pleased to announce that students showcased their talents at the annual Melrose High School talent show earlier this month.

Melrose High School’s Student Council, led by adviser Gerard Tannetta, held the talent show in the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School auditorium on Wednesday, May 2. Students performed musical pieces, dances and demonstrated other talents while competing for first, second, or third place.

Samantha Zysk, a junior, won first place. She sang and played piano, performing an original song.

“It was a really amazing opportunity for students to share their many talents,” Zysk said. “I’m so proud of my peers and all who participated. Hopefully next year we’ll have even more talent to showcase.”

Second place went to seniors Toby Rodriguez and Briana Previlon who  played the piano and viola, respectively, and performed an original song written by Rodriguez.

Senior Savior Watts earned third place for his stand-up comedy routine.

“This event is a great way for students to share what they’re passionate about with their peers, friends and family,” Tannetta said. “Everyone who got on stage did a fantastic job.”

###

Melrose Orchestra Students to Perform Original Pieces After Working with Composer in Residency

⋅ Client News, School News ⋅ , , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

Melrose Public Schools
Superintendent Cyndy S. Taymore
360 Lynn Fells Parkway
Melrose , MA 02176

For Immediate Release

Monday, April 2, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Melrose Orchestra Students to Perform Original Pieces After Working with Composer in Residency

MELROSE — Melrose Public Schools Orchestra Director Luke Miller is pleased to announce that after nearly two years of work with a composer in residency, students will perform four original pieces at the spring concert next month.

The show, which will be held on May 23 at 7 p.m. in the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School auditorium, coincides with the Melrose Symphony Orchestra’s 100th season in 2017-2018.

In January 2017, Melrose Public Schools began working with composer Robert J. Bradshaw to research, write and produce four original compositions.

Throughout the year, Bradshaw visited the Melrose Youth Orchestra (grades two through twelve), Melrose Middle School Orchestra, and the Melrose High School Orchestra’s ensemble rehearsals to coach students on how to write their own music.

At the end of the year, interested students submitted their ideas to Bradshaw for the composition project. Some provided melodies, while others submitted poems, drawings and even a calculus equation that was translated into music.

Bradshaw then worked over the summer to compose four original pieces. Every student who turned in a submission had their work featured.

Youth Orchestra: “All Around the World” — the name of one student’s submission.

Middle School Orchestra: “I Decide to Wait” — a poem submitted by a middle school student. It will be read by a narrator with corresponding music in the background.

High School Orchestra: “The Meres of Ponde Fielde” — a three-piece movement that explores the history Melrose, with each section about one of the city’s ponds.

Combined Piece: “Even the Darkest Night will End (while hope remains)” — features approximately 200 students of all grades and skill levels. The piece will also include several Melrose Public Schools orchestra alumni.

“This concert is going to have a great collaboration of artists, ranging from the elementary school level all the way to MHS graduates,” Miller said. “Mr. Bradshaw created some amazing pieces and it’s been incredible to see students’ reactions during rehearsal as they recognize their submissions in the compositions.”

Melrose Public Schools would like to thank several community organizations for their support throughout this project: Victoria McLaughlin Foundation, Staples Foundation, Melrose Education Foundation, Melrose Orchestrators, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Melrose Cultural Council, Messina Fund for the Arts, Melrose Public Schools and Brad Hutchinson Real Estate.

The concert is free to attend, although a $5 entrance donation is suggested for adults, and $3 for seniors/students.

About Robert J. Bradshaw:

An award winning composer, Bradshaw’s music has been heard around the world and is infused with modern culture and historical significance. His steampunk opera, Deus ex machina, won two gold medals and was named one of the top 10 albums of 2015 by the Global Music Awards. A devoted advocate for the availability of music education for all children, Bradshaw accepts residencies where he helps children compose and perform their own music.

###

Melrose Elementary School Students Sing in Treble Chorus Festival

⋅ Client News, School News ⋅ , , , , , , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

Melrose Public Schools
Superintendent Cyndy S. Taymore
360 Lynn Fells Parkway
Melrose , MA 02176

For Immediate Release

Friday, April 7, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Melrose Elementary School Students Sing in Treble Chorus Festival

MELROSE— Horace Mann Elementary School Principal Mary Ellen Cobbs, Lincoln Elementary School Principal Allison Donovan and Winthrop Elementary School Principal John Maynard are pleased to announce that nine students participated in the Northeastern District Treble Chorus Festival last month.

Left to right: Shailagh Heneghan (Horace Mann School, grade four), Kate Urchuk (Winthrop School, grade four), Giovanni Goytizolo (Horace Mann School, grade four), Elijah Pezzini (Winthrop School, grade five), Cali Mackenzie (Horace Mann School, grade four), Kunsang Wogthing (Lincoln School, grade five), Aryadne Surian (Lincoln School, grade five), Grace Durant (Winthrop School, grade four) and Selene Ferreira (Lincoln School, grade five) participated in the Northeastern District Treble Chorus (Courtesy Photo)

The event was held on Saturday, March 25 at Galvin Middle School in Wakefield. The Massachusetts Music Educators Association, a nonprofit organization for local music teachers, put on the event where more than 90 fourth and fifth grade students across the North Shore and Merrimack Valley participated.

Melrose’s music education teachers Kristen McEntee and Eva Ostrovsky-Kaminsky arranged for the students to participate in the event and worked after school to prepare for the performance.

“The Treble Chorus event was a great opportunity for students to really showcase their musical talents,” Principal Cobbs said. “We were extremely excited to participate and have a group of elementary school students, from three different schools, proudly represent our district.”

Horace Mann students Shailagh Heneghan, Cali Mackenzie, Giovanni Goytizolo, Winthrop students Elijah Pezzini, Kate Urchuk, Grace Durant and Lincoln students Kunsang Wogthing, Aryadne Surian, and Selene Ferreira were selected to by their music teachers to perform.

Instructors chose students who consistently used head voice and accurately matched pitch, had excellent tone quality and breath support, had the ability to read and perform basic music notation, could receive feedback and adapt to cues of a conductor, and were full of energy and enthusiasm for music and singing.

“All of the students who performed in this concert have shown an innate ability for the musical arts,” Principal Donovan said. “The Treble Chorus Festival is a great way for them to further develop their musical skills and introduce them to collaborative vocal performances.”

Students attended extra practices at their schools and partook in Saturday group rehearsals to prepare their music and choreography for the seven songs, including “Green Eggs and Ham” from Seussical the Musical, “God Bless America” and “Shine on Me.” The program was conducted by Rebecca Kenneally and accompanist Christopher Lawnsby.

“I would like to congratulate all our students for their dedication to this event,” Principal Maynard said. “They gave up their free time for rehearsals to ensure they were at their best for the performance. We hope to participate in the Treble Chorus again next year.”

###

1 2