FCM: In The News
Colchester High School Brings Tony-winning Musical
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee to Stage
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The Colchester High School Theater Company will perform The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, featuring music and lyrics by William Finn, in the Colchester Performing Arts Center on November 8, 9 and 10. The musical was the winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book in 2005. Since then, the show has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. The musical follows an eclectic group of middle school students as they vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Many spellers enter the contest, but only one leaves a champion.
Over 40 CHS students have been involved in the production both on stage and behind the scenes. Lead character roles include: Rona Lisa Peretti, played by CHS senior Betty Faul-Welfare; William Barfee, played by CHS senior Alex Ratkovits; Olive Ostrovsky, played by CHS junior Nora Tetrick; Douglas Panch, played by CHS senior Josh Porter; Logainne Schwartzandgrubeniere, played by CHS senior Keegan Davis; Leaf Coneybear, played by CHS sophomore Kaitlyn Hayes; Marcy Park, played by CHS junior Jenna Walker; Chip Tolentino, played by CHS senior Zac Lavalley; and, Maeve Mahoney, played by CHS sophomore Blayne Fitzgerald. “I’m incredibly impressed by this group of talented and committed CHS students,” said CHS Drama Director Victor Toman. “We have been working very hard over the past few months and I’m so excited to see it all come together. Our Spelling Bee is going to be spectacular!” The show opens Thursday, November 8 at 7 pm with other performances on Friday, November 9 at 7 pm and Saturday, November 10 at 2pm and 7pm. The show is expected to last 2 hours with one brief intermission. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10 each (adults) and $5 each (students and seniors). The Colchester Theater Company will be hosting a Silent Auction in the CHS cafeteria over the three days of the show to help raise funds to support the production. |
VT Vocal Group, Counterpoint, To Perform with CHS Chamber Singers on Feb. 12
Counterpoint, Vermont’s only professional vocal group, will join forces with Colchester High School’s (CHS) Chamber singers to perform a joint concert at the CHS Performing Arts Center on Monday, February 12 at 7 pm. The two groups will do a joint concert lasting about an hour, with each group performing songs from their own repertory and then performing two combined pieces (Randall Thompson’s classic “Alleluia” and an arrangement of the folksong “John Henry” by Counterpoint’s founder Robert De Cormier).
But it won’t be only singing for the CHS Chamber group that day. During the afternoon, Counterpoint will conduct an educational workshop with the CHS Chamber singers, giving the students the opportunity to do much learning and rehearsing to enhance their choral performances.
“It’s not every day that our students can engage with a professional vocal group,” said Melissa Towle, CHS choral director and music teacher. “Participating in this workshop with Counterpoint and then performing with them for the broader community is a wonderful learning opportunity for our choral students and we are thrilled to have them here.”
The performance will last about an hour; tickets can be purchased at the door for $5 each.
About Counterpoint:Counterpoint, Vermont’s only professional vocal ensemble, was founded by Robert De Cormier in 2000. Its mission is to perform choral chamber music throughout Vermont and beyond while working with students to enhance their lifelong love of music as listeners and performers. Counterpoint offers workshops with school choral programs throughout Vermont and New England. Now in its 18th year, Counterpoint has performed concerts throughout Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York. Their repertory includes folk songs, African-American spirituals, sacred music, seasonal specialties and works by classical and contemporary composers. For more information, visit www.counterpointchorus.org.
Counterpoint, Vermont’s only professional vocal group, will join forces with Colchester High School’s (CHS) Chamber singers to perform a joint concert at the CHS Performing Arts Center on Monday, February 12 at 7 pm. The two groups will do a joint concert lasting about an hour, with each group performing songs from their own repertory and then performing two combined pieces (Randall Thompson’s classic “Alleluia” and an arrangement of the folksong “John Henry” by Counterpoint’s founder Robert De Cormier).
But it won’t be only singing for the CHS Chamber group that day. During the afternoon, Counterpoint will conduct an educational workshop with the CHS Chamber singers, giving the students the opportunity to do much learning and rehearsing to enhance their choral performances.
“It’s not every day that our students can engage with a professional vocal group,” said Melissa Towle, CHS choral director and music teacher. “Participating in this workshop with Counterpoint and then performing with them for the broader community is a wonderful learning opportunity for our choral students and we are thrilled to have them here.”
The performance will last about an hour; tickets can be purchased at the door for $5 each.
About Counterpoint:Counterpoint, Vermont’s only professional vocal ensemble, was founded by Robert De Cormier in 2000. Its mission is to perform choral chamber music throughout Vermont and beyond while working with students to enhance their lifelong love of music as listeners and performers. Counterpoint offers workshops with school choral programs throughout Vermont and New England. Now in its 18th year, Counterpoint has performed concerts throughout Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York. Their repertory includes folk songs, African-American spirituals, sacred music, seasonal specialties and works by classical and contemporary composers. For more information, visit www.counterpointchorus.org.
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Thank you to everyone for a wonderful
Glenn Miller Orchestra concert!
We had a fabulous concert on October 11! Thank you to everyone who helped organize and run this event, who brought food (the band was SO pleased with their dinner!), and who helped in all ways big and small. We want to thank Evan Peltier and the Glenn Miller Orchestra for going the extra distance to make this an amazing learning opportunity for our CHS Jazz Band students! This was a lovely community event, and FCM is proud to have helped bring it to our town.
CHS Choral and Band Students Perform in the New England Music Festival
In December, several Colchester High School choral and band students auditioned for the opportunity to participate in the 2016 New England Music Festival. Nine CHS choral students and one CHS band student were selected to perform in this year’s festival hosted by Gilford High School (NH) over three days in March. (From left to right) Morgan Eaton, Ethan Goedken, Ethan Cameron-Vaupel, Kristian Labrie, Erin Casab, Jimmy Collins, Meghan Collins, Connor Zwonik (band), Lauren Brooks and Mario Houle.
Colchester High School Students Selected for District III Music Festival:
47 Students Selected To Perform in November Concert
Nineteen Colchester High School band and twenty-eight CHS choral students performed in the Vermont District III High School Music Festival held on November 7 at Essex High School. The festival featured wind ensemble, concert band and chorus performances by a select group of students representing all of the Champlain Valley’s area high school music programs.
The following CHS sopranos were chosen to participate in the festival under the direction of Stefanie Maas Weigand, dean of students for NEMFA and president-elect of the VT-ACDA: Emily Bissonette; Keegan Davis; Anna Eaton, Natalee Garen; Myla Jacobs; Samantha Kieny; Elizabeth Landry; Bella Lopez; and, Emily White. CHS altos selected to perform were: Devon Cameron-Vaupel; Erin Casab; Kianna Frost-Ohlsson; Emily Lopes; Cassie Mallabar; Ally Marcou; Victoria Mier; Nora Peterson; Olivia Trevisani; Kayley Tullgren; Kyra Walker; and Jessica Zwolen. CHS tenors selected were: Jonny Barden and Ethan Goedken. CHS basses selected were: Sam Burgess; Jimmy Collins; Morgan Eaton; Matthew LaChance; and, Alex Ratkovits. The concert chorus performed the following pieces: Kyrie, from Mass in G (Franz Schubert); It Takes a Village (Joan Szymko); Earth Song (Frank Ticheli); and Oye (Jim Papoulis).
The following CHS students were selected to perform in the Festival’s concert band under the direction of Stephen Rice, instrumental music teacher at Brattleboro Union High School: Abby Longchamp (flute); Katie Pierson (flute); Amelia Cassidy (bassoon); Ethan Dean (bari sax); Thomas Colgrove (trumpet); Laura Shaw (trumpet); Haley Kieny (clarinet); Rebecca Mier (clarinet); Chloe Bullock (clarinet); Cara Barmore (clarinet); Sophia Comi (clarinet); Kaylyn Morse (bass clarinet); Jacob Dell (tenor sax); Nathan Colgrove (French horn); and, Lauren Brooks (French horn). The concert band performed: Joy Revisited (Frank Ticheli); Rhythm Stand (Jennifer Higdon); Symphony No. 6, Movement II, Adagio Sostenuto (Vincent Persichetti); and, Bucimis, Bulgarian Folk Dance (Bob Lipton).
The following CHS students were selected to perform in the Festival’s wind ensemble under the direction of Dr. Mark Stickney, director of bands at Plymouth State University: Beth Moore (flute); Meghan Collins (alto sax); Kristian Labrie (percussion); and, Connor Zwonik (percussion). The wind ensemble closed the festival with the following performances: A Festival Prelude (Alfred Reed); Sheltering Sky (John Mackey); 136th USA Field Artillery March (Henry Fillmore, arranged by Foster); Albanian Dances (Shelley Hanson); and, Chester (Robert Schuman).
Students from the District III high schools must audition (or be nominated) for the opportunity to perform in the festival. In addition to Colchester High School, the following area schools participated in the festival: Burlington High School, Champlain Valley Union High School, Essex High School, Rice Memorial High School, South Burlington High School and Winooski High School. The purpose of the District III Music Festival is to enhance students’ school music experiences by giving them a chance to participate in music performing groups made up of top music students from other school programs.
Several 7th and 8th grade Colchester Middle School students were selected to perform in the District III Music Festival concert held on January 31 at ADL Middle School. Back row, left to right: Graham Bertoni, Sam Burgess, Keegan Davis, Myla Jacobs, Kaitlyn Small, Hayley Church. Middle row: Mikey Collins, Paige Paradise, Nora Peterson, Nora Allen, Betty Faul-Welfare, Jenna Walker, Julia Dragon. Front row: Jessie Thompson, Abby Palaza, Petra Bajuk, Kayley Tullgren. Students from 17 Champlain Valley area schools auditioned for the opportunity to perform in the District III Music Festival. The selection process is competitive and based upon scores students receive during the audition process.
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Colchester Middle School musicians in the 7th and 8th grade were selected to perform in the first annual District III Jazz Festival concert held on November 14 at Browns River Middle School. Left to right: Betty Faul-Welfare, Sam Burgess, Graham Bertoni, Mikey Collins, Nora Peterson, (front) Petra Bajuk.
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A gift that will keep on giving (music!):
Colchester-Milton Rotary, Friends of Colchester Music purchase piano for CHS music program
It was a festive night at Colchester High School on December 17 for the band and choral program’s annual winter jubilee concert, but the mood became even brighter when members of the Colchester-Milton Rotary and Friends of Colchester Music (FCM) came to the stage to make a special announcement.
FCM, a volunteer booster group that supports music programs in the Colchester School District, joined forces with the Colchester-Milton Rotary to fulfill a donation request from CHS Choral Director Melissa Towle for a Yamaha Clavinova piano for the school’s music room. At the December concert, FCM President Marie Bouffard, Rotary’s Past President Leora Black, and Rotary’s Chair of Allocations Kent Booraem, presented Melissa Towle two checks for $2,000 each to allow her to purchase the piano.
“The Colchester-Milton Rotary Club has a history of supporting music in the community. In 2011, the Rotary donated $1,000 to the Friends of Colchester Music to support a program at Malletts Bay School. In the past year, the organization has also made donations to the Colchester Community Chorus and Band,” said Leora Black, past president of the Colchester-Milton Rotary. “We believe music makes a difference in the lives of students and community members.”
According to Mrs. Towle, the 20-plus year old piano is the “workhorse of the CHS music department.” It gets daily use by the school’s 110 choral students (CHS has the largest high school choral program in Chittenden County); and, it’s used by the band and drama programs. The piano has been rebuilt once and was in need of major repairs.
The $4,000 price tag for the new piano put a replacement instrument out of reach for Towle’s already stretched music budget, much of which goes toward the purchase of sheet music for the school’s annual choral performances.
“We were thrilled that the Colchester-Milton Rotary was able to provide $2,000 to help purchase the piano,” said FCM President Marie Bouffard. “FCM is a small booster group, but we are fortunate to have great support from CSD families as well as the Colchester community…their support helped make our matching donation possible.”
“What a wonderful gift,” said Towle. “This piano means so much to the students and to our entire music program…We feel so very lucky to have such a supportive community.”
A brand new Yamaha Clavinova piano sells for nearly $6,000, but Towle received a quote on a floor model for $4,000 from Contois School of Music in Essex Junction.
Colchester-Milton Rotary, Friends of Colchester Music purchase piano for CHS music program
It was a festive night at Colchester High School on December 17 for the band and choral program’s annual winter jubilee concert, but the mood became even brighter when members of the Colchester-Milton Rotary and Friends of Colchester Music (FCM) came to the stage to make a special announcement.
FCM, a volunteer booster group that supports music programs in the Colchester School District, joined forces with the Colchester-Milton Rotary to fulfill a donation request from CHS Choral Director Melissa Towle for a Yamaha Clavinova piano for the school’s music room. At the December concert, FCM President Marie Bouffard, Rotary’s Past President Leora Black, and Rotary’s Chair of Allocations Kent Booraem, presented Melissa Towle two checks for $2,000 each to allow her to purchase the piano.
“The Colchester-Milton Rotary Club has a history of supporting music in the community. In 2011, the Rotary donated $1,000 to the Friends of Colchester Music to support a program at Malletts Bay School. In the past year, the organization has also made donations to the Colchester Community Chorus and Band,” said Leora Black, past president of the Colchester-Milton Rotary. “We believe music makes a difference in the lives of students and community members.”
According to Mrs. Towle, the 20-plus year old piano is the “workhorse of the CHS music department.” It gets daily use by the school’s 110 choral students (CHS has the largest high school choral program in Chittenden County); and, it’s used by the band and drama programs. The piano has been rebuilt once and was in need of major repairs.
The $4,000 price tag for the new piano put a replacement instrument out of reach for Towle’s already stretched music budget, much of which goes toward the purchase of sheet music for the school’s annual choral performances.
“We were thrilled that the Colchester-Milton Rotary was able to provide $2,000 to help purchase the piano,” said FCM President Marie Bouffard. “FCM is a small booster group, but we are fortunate to have great support from CSD families as well as the Colchester community…their support helped make our matching donation possible.”
“What a wonderful gift,” said Towle. “This piano means so much to the students and to our entire music program…We feel so very lucky to have such a supportive community.”
A brand new Yamaha Clavinova piano sells for nearly $6,000, but Towle received a quote on a floor model for $4,000 from Contois School of Music in Essex Junction.
Colchester High School Junior Selected To March in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade is a tradition for many. But one Vermonter will have a very different experience this Thanksgiving—marching and playing in the parade. Colchester High School junior Beth Moore was chosen a Vermont representative to participate in the 2014 Macy’s Great American Marching Band in New York City on Thanksgiving Day. Beth was among a select group of high school students who were chosen for this distinguished band that honors the finest high school musicians from across the nation.
“It is such a thrill to be a part of the Thanksgiving Day Parade,” says Beth. “Being in the Great American Marching Band is everything I have dreamed of…representing Vermont promises to be the coolest thing I have ever done.”
To be considered, Beth completed an application and sent in an audition tape of her playing Nocturne et Allegro Scherzando on her flute. Students are selected based on their technical proficiency, tone quality and overall musicianship as well as their past musical achievements. The opportunity is open to students from more 14,000 high schools across the United States.
Beth has a long list of musical achievements to her credit. In addition to being a member of the CHS jazz and concert bands, Beth has been involved with the Vermont Youth Orchestra since sixth grade. She has been a mentor for the Vermont Youth Chamber Winds and plays flute at her Church and in the Colchester Community Band. Beth began playing violin when she was four years old and has been playing the flute since fifth grade. She has been selected to participate in the District Music Festival every year since eighth grade. During her freshman year, Beth participated in orchestra for both violin and flute, but in her sophomore year of high school she chose to focus solely on flute due to a demanding practice schedule. She practices from one to three hours a day (outside of her ensemble playing).
“I am so proud of Beth and her many musical achievements inside and outside the Colchester School District,” said CHS Director of Bands Evan Peltier. “She is such a dedicated musician and great role model for the other band students…it is indeed an honor to have her representing Vermont in this Thanksgiving tradition.”
Since 2006 when the Macy’s Great American Marching Band (MGAMB) was formed, more than 2000 students from across the United States have had the opportunity to perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade as part of the MGAMB.
Stepping-off from Central Park, the Band will be cheered by an expected 3 million live spectators, before arriving at Macy's Herald Square for their national performance for more than 50 million TV viewers who will watch the broadcast live on NBC.
This prestigious band with more than 245 members, representing every state is complemented by approximately 40 flags and dancers, and is under the direction of Dr. Richard Good, Auburn University, and assisted by Barry Houser, University of Illinois.
In addition to a busy practice schedule in the days leading up to their Thanksgiving Day performance, the students will have the opportunity to attend a leadership/educational workshop and take in a few of the NYC sights. This year marks the 88th anniversary of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Turn on to NBC at 9am next Thursday and help Beth celebrate this important honor!
Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade is a tradition for many. But one Vermonter will have a very different experience this Thanksgiving—marching and playing in the parade. Colchester High School junior Beth Moore was chosen a Vermont representative to participate in the 2014 Macy’s Great American Marching Band in New York City on Thanksgiving Day. Beth was among a select group of high school students who were chosen for this distinguished band that honors the finest high school musicians from across the nation.
“It is such a thrill to be a part of the Thanksgiving Day Parade,” says Beth. “Being in the Great American Marching Band is everything I have dreamed of…representing Vermont promises to be the coolest thing I have ever done.”
To be considered, Beth completed an application and sent in an audition tape of her playing Nocturne et Allegro Scherzando on her flute. Students are selected based on their technical proficiency, tone quality and overall musicianship as well as their past musical achievements. The opportunity is open to students from more 14,000 high schools across the United States.
Beth has a long list of musical achievements to her credit. In addition to being a member of the CHS jazz and concert bands, Beth has been involved with the Vermont Youth Orchestra since sixth grade. She has been a mentor for the Vermont Youth Chamber Winds and plays flute at her Church and in the Colchester Community Band. Beth began playing violin when she was four years old and has been playing the flute since fifth grade. She has been selected to participate in the District Music Festival every year since eighth grade. During her freshman year, Beth participated in orchestra for both violin and flute, but in her sophomore year of high school she chose to focus solely on flute due to a demanding practice schedule. She practices from one to three hours a day (outside of her ensemble playing).
“I am so proud of Beth and her many musical achievements inside and outside the Colchester School District,” said CHS Director of Bands Evan Peltier. “She is such a dedicated musician and great role model for the other band students…it is indeed an honor to have her representing Vermont in this Thanksgiving tradition.”
Since 2006 when the Macy’s Great American Marching Band (MGAMB) was formed, more than 2000 students from across the United States have had the opportunity to perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade as part of the MGAMB.
Stepping-off from Central Park, the Band will be cheered by an expected 3 million live spectators, before arriving at Macy's Herald Square for their national performance for more than 50 million TV viewers who will watch the broadcast live on NBC.
This prestigious band with more than 245 members, representing every state is complemented by approximately 40 flags and dancers, and is under the direction of Dr. Richard Good, Auburn University, and assisted by Barry Houser, University of Illinois.
In addition to a busy practice schedule in the days leading up to their Thanksgiving Day performance, the students will have the opportunity to attend a leadership/educational workshop and take in a few of the NYC sights. This year marks the 88th anniversary of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Turn on to NBC at 9am next Thursday and help Beth celebrate this important honor!
Band Beats & Balloons
Band Fundraier!
In January 2014, the Malletts Bay School 5th grade beginning band program had it's 2nd annual band fundraiser called, Band Beats & Balloons! Student-musicians performed solos, duets, and small group ensembles together, and the evening ended with students popping balloons with a variety of money inside. A great time was had by all who attended the musicial evening, and FCM supported the evening with helpers. Thank you!
Band Fundraier!
In January 2014, the Malletts Bay School 5th grade beginning band program had it's 2nd annual band fundraiser called, Band Beats & Balloons! Student-musicians performed solos, duets, and small group ensembles together, and the evening ended with students popping balloons with a variety of money inside. A great time was had by all who attended the musicial evening, and FCM supported the evening with helpers. Thank you!
Matt Waters playing CHS's new vibraphone
Colchester High School Vibes
In 2013, the CHS Music Department received some very generous support from FCM to help purchase a new set of vibes for it's percussion program. The Concert Band and Jazz Band students have been able to play some great music repertoire with this new instrument addition. Thanks, FCM!
In 2013, the CHS Music Department received some very generous support from FCM to help purchase a new set of vibes for it's percussion program. The Concert Band and Jazz Band students have been able to play some great music repertoire with this new instrument addition. Thanks, FCM!
* New Music Stands for MBS Band Program!
New MBS Music Stands
Thank you so much to the Friends of Colchester Music for the funds to purchase new music stands for the fifth grade beginning band program at Malletts Bay School! This was a very important addition to the band program because the number of students involved in the band has greatly increased over the past 2 years. Due to this, there just weren't enough music stands for all the students. FCM's generous financial support will help to continue the great music and band programs for students over the years at MBS, and we thank you!!
* CHS Band & Chorus Trip to NEW YORK CITY!
The Colchester High School Music program recently had a very exciting, educational, and fun-filled trip to New York City. There were 78 teachers, chaperones, and students all went down to the Big Apple for a music and arts-themed trip, which included seeing a Broadway musical, a tour of the NBC studios and Carnegie Hall, a performance opportunity on the U.S.S. Intrepid, and a guided tour of Manhattan. Both Music Directors, Melissa Towle and Evan Peltier, were so pleased with how all the students performed and behaved, therefore representing Colchester, Vermont fantastically. Thank you for your continued support, FCM!
CHS Choir Performance-NYC 2012
CHS CHOIR -- Spring 2012
CHS Band Performance-NYC 2012
CHS Concert Band -- Spring 2012
3rd graders playing Junk Music!
* JUNK MUSIC & CIRCUS ARTS RESIDENCIES
at Malletts Bay School
The Friends of Colchester Music organization, and the Colchester Milton Rotary Club, both helped to finance the Junk Music portion of the MBS 2-week residency. We thank FCM greatly for their support in the music programs at Malletts Bay School, and the music programs throughout the Colchester district.
In March 2011, all MBS sudents partipated in a Junk Music residency in music classes with the "Junk Man," musician, named Don Knaack. Students got to actually construct 3 large musical percussion instruments using only recyled materials from around the community of Colchester. Then they learned how to play on them together. MBS students also got to participate in another residency at the same time in their P.E. classes. Troy Wundrle came to MBS to teach students the medium of performance through Circus Arts, while using recyled materials!
Both residencies lated for 2 weeks, and culminated with a school-wide performance incorporating both
Junk Music and Circus Arts! A great time was had by all MBS students!
THANK YOU SO MUCH, FRIENDS of COLCHESTER MUSIC!! :)
3rd graders doing Circus Arts!
Friends of Colchester MusicWe are an active group of parents and music teachers who advocate and fundraise for all the music programs in the Colchester School District. We would love to have your support at our meetings and at music events. Please join us! |
Contact Us
FCM meeting are held on the second Tuesday of the month in the Colchester Middle School band room from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
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