Page 17 - Spring 2025
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Music Department -
News From The Music Room
By Kevin Mania,
HHS Music Faculty
Greetings from the Music Room! Bringing the community together in the park is always
a special event. The performance marks the end of the
The year has gone by in a flash. We started off strong year for our groups.
and kept our momentum going all year long. The kids
are picking up their music skills and performing more After Memorial Day, we will start our Band Olympics.
advanced music throughout the entire program. This year we have four teams. This is a time of year
when we start to decompress and have fun. If
The Jazz and Show Choir programs had a great season. you haven’t participated in these events, you have
The High School Jazz Band performed at Lake Region definitely missed out. It all originated from the
High School and received a silver rating. The Middle days of Chair Volleyball. We have a couple of days of
School Jazz Band performed at Waterville High School competition before exams. Having a chance to be
and received a gold rating, with two students receiving social and let loose is important after a strenuous year.
outstanding musician awards. The High School Show
Choir performed at Stearns High School and received a The modern band program had a great year as well.
gold rating, with one student receiving an outstanding We had our end-of-the-year concert on May 2. We had
musician award. All students in the three groups nine student groups with a concert that was about 90
received a one rating on their solos. The students minutes long. There was so much growth in these kids
all worked hard and competed against some great this year, it was amazing. Having students who would
schools. normally not step foot into a music classroom become
a rockstar over a short period of time is excellent.
Our standard performing groups are gearing up for These kids love this program.
our concerts in May. The bands will have their annual
Band-O-Rama with both the middle and high school This year, we have eight seniors getting ready to join
groups. This year, the middle school is performing our alumni. One of our seniors is attending UMaine to
an energetic concert of music that the kids are really start her Music Education degree. We are always proud
getting into, and the high school is performing a of the students who graduate from our program,
DANCE theme. The sound of the bands is starting to but it is an extra special feeling when we hear that a
mature and has a nice full sound. We are very proud student is going into Music. Congratulations to all the
of their rigor and drive to perform at a high level. Both wonderful students who have chosen to spend their
choruses are gearing up for their concert as well. We time with us.
are proud that our choruses are starting to open up.
They are singing with confidence and pride. In early It’s time to wrap up another edition of News from
May, we had the opportunity to have a former Houlton the Music Room. I hope to see plenty of Alumni this
High School chorus teacher join us for a workshop with summer at McGill’s Community Band concerts in the
the students. Dr. DeWan now teaches at the University park. We have our first concert on June 19th at 7:00
of Maine and was excited to come work with both of p.m. Hope to see you there! Until next time, keep
our groups. The kids had a great time working with singing a good song and let everyone know you are a
her, and it was great to connect with her again at the proud SHIRE!!!
school where she started her teaching journey. Kevin Mania
The middle and high school bands are getting ready to HMHS Music Department
perform with McGill’s Community Band on Memorial kevin.mania@rsu29.org
Day in the park. We are invited by the American Legion 207-538-3860
to participate in this concert every year. It is an honor
to help celebrate this day in our town every year.
www.houltonalumni.com 17
