The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Middletown High Goes to Symphony
MIDDLETOWN >> Middletown High School’s Music Department will join the New Haven Symphony in presenting the Middletown High School Goes to the Symphony concert at 7 p.m. May 22 at the Bushnell in Hartford.
Middletown high’s 170-piece concert band, 40-string orchestra and 120-member choir will be joined by the 40-piece New Haven Symphony and the 100-member Greater Middletown Chorale in presenting this concert program, which began in 1992.
The MHS band/chorus presents this concert every two years, alternating with performances at Walt Disney World.
“This is a great experience for our kids,” said Marco Gaylord, the school system’s fine arts director, in a press release. “I believe we are the only high school that participates in the ‘side-by-side’ program with professional musicians. Most high schools don’t offer this to their kids.”
Gaylord went on to say that the professional musicians and conductors work with the students, helping them perfect their craft. The pros come to MHS and offer master classes.
“The clarinets, for example, practice separately and professional vocalists will work with altos, sopranos and the like,” Gaylord said in the prepared statement. “The typical students will receive 50 to 60 hours of additional instruction and rehearsal beyond the everyday classroom time.”
One of the highlights are performances by student soloists. Gaylord said that some 30 students tried out as soloists. That group was whittled to 12 and finally, five were selected.
The judges for the competition were New Haven Symphony Maestro William Boughton, Wesleyan University Professor of Music Neely Bruce, select MHS alumni, Middletown composer Lee McQuillan and retired MHS chorus director Michael Gosselin.
The five soloists and their area of performance/musical selections are: Chase Corvo, who will perform “Tableaux de Provence — Faranduolo di Chatouno” by Paule Maurice on his alto saxophone; Nathan Chapin on the accordion will perform “Impasse — Mvmt. I” by Frank Angelis; Jamie Dudyak on the trombone will perform “Concerto for Trombone, Mvmt. II” by James A. Beckel Jr.; Erin Latronica, a mezzo soprano, will sing “Laurie’s Song” from “The Tender Land” by Aaron Copeland; and Ryan Lau will perform “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin on the piano.
The concert’s various phases will be conducted, in part, by Hartt Symphony Orchestra Maestro Edward Cumming, Bruce, Boughton and the Greater Middletown Chorale and Artistic Director Joseph D’Eugenio.
Also conducting the MHS band will be codirectors, Megan Busath and Kimberly Rodriguez and Michael Cho, MHS Class of 2012.
The program will begin with the Middletown Chorale, followed by the New Haven Symphony, then the five soloists. The string orchest, led by MHS teacher Lauren Otto, will come next, followed by the MHS Choir and the Chorale led by MHS Chorus Director Stehanie Zak, then the MHS Concert band. There will be a finale with more than 450 musicians on stage.
The program is two and half hours long with one intermission.
“I believe that through our collaboration with the Chorale, Maestro Boughton and the New Haven Symphony, this will truly be our best program to date,” said Gaylord in the release.
Tickets are $20 for orchestra seats and $15 for mezzanine seating.
The cost of the program is $80,000, and donations are being sought. There are seven levels of sponsorship, from Star ($5,000 and more) to Friend, which is any donation up to $50.
“All donations of any amount are welcome and will help offer this great experience to our kids,” said Gaylord.
Information and tickets may be purchased via email at symphony@mpsct.org and sponsorship forms are found on the district website middletownschools.org/symphony.
Tickets may be ordered by mail. Checks should be made out to MHS Goes To The Symphony, Attention: Kathy Bengston, Middletown Public Schools, 311 Hunting Hill Ave., Middletown, CT 06457.