Page 26 - Spring 2026

Music Department -

News From The Music Room

By Kevin Mania,
HHS Music Faculty

It has been a season of incredible growth and rhythmic bands in attendance, three were from Houlton. Our
energy here at the Houlton High School Music visitors were particularly impressed by our facilities
Department. We kicked off our winter festivities in and the professional-grade light show designed by
December with our annual band concert for Southside junior, Will Baillargeon.
School. It was an inspiring day as students in grades
3 through 6 filled the auditorium to hear the High
School band perform. This tradition remains a vital
cornerstone of our program, as it sparks excitement
in the younger students to eventually pick up
an instrument and join our ranks. Our individual
musicians also demonstrated excellence in January,
with 19 students earning the honor of participating
in the All-Aroostook Band Festival. Meanwhile, our
Pep Band has been the heartbeat of the winter sports
season, providing high-octane support for our varsity
girls’ and boys’ basketball teams, as well as our hockey
team.

The holiday spirit continued as our Middle and
High School chorus members headed downtown Tri-M members after their ceremony
to Serendipitous Dragonfly. They provided a festive
soundtrack for local children visiting Santa, inviting
the younger kids to sing along with them. In early March marked a historic milestone for our department
December we also had 22 of our vocalists participating as we inducted our first 13 members into the Tri-M
in the All-Aroostook Chorus Festival. National Music Honors Society. While the chapter
is in its early stages, our members are already
brainstorming service projects to support their fellow
It has been a season of school musicians.

incredible growth and rhythmic Competition season was equally rewarding for our
energy here at the Houlton High ensembles. The Houlton Middle School Jazz Band
School Music Department. brought home a gold rating, with Ryan Bragan and
Drake Lynds both receiving Outstanding Musicianship
awards. Our High School Jazz Band earned a silver
The new year brought a focus on contemporary rating, with senior Karyssa Kenney being recognized
performance. On January 13th, we held our first- for her outstanding musicianship. In the vocal
semester Modern Band concert, which featured an categories, both the High School and Middle School
impressive lineup of nine bands, including our very Show Choirs earned silver ratings, with Amya
own teacher band. The momentum for Modern Band McCluskey receiving an Outstanding Musicianship
only grew from there; in April, Houlton proudly hosted award for her performance with the Middle School
the 2nd State Modern Band Festival. Out of nine total group.

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