Page 13 - Spring 2024
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Spotlight on Musical Alumni
… A Personal Reflection on HHS’ Storied Music Program
By Richard Nickerson, ‘81
Editor’s Note: Rick Nickerson has been an outstanding “While I only taught at HHS for 6 years, they were some
contributor to the North Star Magazine over the of the most memorable and momentous years of my
past several years and graciously accepted to be the teaching career.”
investigative author for our popular Spotlight on
Alumni series. He explained to this editor that he had
a project that he was working on - an article to feature
and highlight several HHS graduates who have become
professional musicians. This labor of love for Rick
encompassed a year of work. He asked if we would share
this, and we most excitedly said yes. Enjoy!!
For this issue, rather than highlighting an individual
in the Spotlight on Alumni section, I have chosen to
feature several prominent graduates; all of whom are
the products of one of Houlton High School’s greatest
assets...the Music Department! It should be noted that
this is only a sampling of the hundreds (thousands?) Kelly (Clukey) Ellis ’81 pursued her passion for music
of students who have been a part of the HHS music by attaining a bachelor’s degree from the University
department. For this article, I have chosen alumni of Southern Maine in Music Education. Later, she went
who are currently working primarily as professional on to earn a master’s degree in music performance
musicians and focus on the education and experiences at the University of Maine. For over 35 years, she has
they received while at Houlton High. taught music in Maine public schools across all grade
levels PreK-12. “My professional journey began with
As a music educator, I have been quite vocal (pun teaching band and instrumental music at Katahdin and
intended) about the wonderful musical experiences I Hodgdon Schools. I later transitioned to instructing
had while attending HHS and how the music teachers classroom music and chorus at Houlton Schools,
helped to solidify my career choice. This subject is eventually returning to the Hodgdon District as a Band
personal for me, because, at the risk of sounding Director. Having spent 25 years teaching “up north,”
dramatic, the music department in the Houlton school I decided to explore opportunities further south. For
system made me who I am today. the past decade, I have been involved in teaching
Houlton has long been billed as Maine’s “Music instrumental and classroom music in the Newport
Town.” Ask anyone what makes Houlton’s music and Bangor School Districts. Houlton provided a
department so special, and two words will come to multitude of musical activities to engage with that
mind: community and teachers. Former choral director, offered a fantastic opportunity for exploration and
Patrick Moore, says the level of community support experimentation. The support and encouragement
is one of the things that makes the music department from my music teachers further solidified my career
stand out. “There is such a source of community pride. choice.” Kelly was involved in Band, Chorus, Stage Band,
The community rallies around every performance and Solo and Ensemble Festival, All-State, All Aroostook,
turns out in droves to support the program. They are Madrigals, Shirettes, and the Musicals. She says her
also clearly proud of their alumni,” said Moore. decision to pursue a career in music education was not
shaped by a single experience but more by the rich
www.houltonalumni.com 13
