Page 15 - Newsletter_Spring_2019

Music Department

NEWS FROM THE MUSIC ROOM

By Kevin Mania, HHS Music Faculty

We have had a great year! Since our last update in the Alumni Newsletter, we have had the band play at many basketball
games including a state title game, and the chorus has worked on several outreach projects with Community Living Association
(CLA) and some local nursing homes. e music program is still full steam ahead even though we have had a busy past few
months. In May, we are traveling to Six Flags New England with members of the band and chorus. We will be adjudicated on
our performance and then go to the park for a full day of fun in the sun after a long, cold winter. When we return we will have
a week to prepare for our spring performances.

is year we have four groups participating in the State Jazz Festivals. High School Jazz Band went to South Portland High
School for their competition. We came home with an Honorable Mention, which was one point away from a Bronze rating.
e Middle School Jazz Band went to Westbrook High School for their competition. We came home with a Silver Rating,
and Kenzie Hodgkins, an 8th grader, won one of fi ve Outstanding Musician awards. is year the Maine Music Educators
Association has opened a new genre for Middle School Jazz Choir. Houlton High School was the only school in the state to
send a Middle School Vocal Jazz group. We are trendsetters! e high school also sent a Jazz Choir to compete for this as
well. Both groups were well received and represented our school with pride. e Middle School Jazz Choir received a silver
award and the High School Jazz Choir received a bronze award. We are so proud of all of our jazz musicians that represented
our school this year at the state festivals.

e middle school put on a terrifi c production of Dear Edwina, Jr. ey had an excellent run before the April break,
performing two shows for thrilled audiences. Students had a blast and are already looking forward to next year.

Our Modern Band program continues to grow and make new strides. At the end of May, we will perform at a gala event for
the state at the University of Maine. is group has a strong core and has quite a bit of momentum. ere are also two classes
of Modern Band that meet during the school day that is full of students just starting out. It is amazing to hear how much
progress they make in such a short time.

As the school year comes to an end, the summer brings us many visits from Alumni. I would love to meet up with anyone
who would like to see what we are doing, or just reminisce about the fun times you had as a student here in the Houlton Music
Department. In fact, we would love for you to visit our new Alumni Music page on Facebook:
fb.me/HHSALUMNIMUSIC

Please come visit the page and drop pictures from your past for us to enjoy. Tell us stories about the great times you have had
with Houlton music. I love when I get a chance to talk about what it used to be like from the generation before my time here.
Mr. McGill still comes in to visit us often and would love to hear from you as well.

We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you this summer at McGill’s Community Band concerts. Please reach out
and say hi. Take care and enjoy some warm weather.

Sincerely,
Kevin Mania
VPA Chair
kevin.mania@rsu29.org
207-538-3860
#shirefi re

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