The Norfolk Times

Clean Sweep of Gold Medals for King Philip Music Groups

King Philip Middle School 8th Grade Band.

It was an unprecedented weekend of achievements for many King Philip music groups. Six different performing groups were involved in the Massachusetts Instrumental Choral Conductors Association (MICCA) annual festival held at various sites throughout Massachusetts.

The MICCA festival is designed to promote excellence in musical performance and is held across parts of Massachusetts over 3 days. More than 200 groups from throughout the state participated and medals are awarded to the participating ensembles by a distinguished panel of music educators, who discuss the fine points of each performance with the students. Only 15% are awarded the gold medal for Superior Performance.

The High School Symphony Band, High School Concert Band and High School Chorus all received a gold medal. The Middle School 7th Grade Band and Middle School 8th Grade band also received gold medals, and to perfect the sweep the Middle School Chorus received gold.

MICCA, with the support of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, will sponsor its fifteenth annual "Stars at Symphony" gold medal showcase. Ensembles that earn a gold medal rating at the 2013 MICCA Concert and Choral Festivals will be invited to perform at two world class venues; Symphony Hall in Boston on Saturday April 13th, and Mechanics Hall in Worcester on Sunday April 14thth.

 

King Philip High School Chorus.

The clarinet section of the KP Symphony Band.

The flute section of the KP Symphony Band.

KP Musicians to Perform at MMEA Festival

Twenty-four members of the King Philip Music Program have been accepted to the Massachusetts Music Educators Association Southeastern District Music Festival that will take place January 11th and 12 at Barnstable High School.  Selection to this prestigious festival is based on each musician auditioning. Eighteen of these students also received an All-State Recommendation.  Auditions for All-State take place on December 15th at Shrewsbury High School.  

Concert Band
Hailey Burke * - Oboe
Daniel Corwin * - Trumpet
Evan CreeGee * - Tuba
Michaela Cunningham - French Horn
Alexandra Ennes - Bassoon
Saraneh Fitzgerald - Flute
Gabriella Geiger * - Clarinet
Marisa Giangregorio * - Clarinet
Courtney Hebert - Clarinet
Teresa Kim * - French Horn
Erin McGuire - Trombone
Kimberly Myers * - Clarinet
Catherine Silvestrie * - Clarinet
Adam Strubeck * - Trumpet
Danielle Swartzendruber - Oboe
Edward Washington * - Trumpet
Benjamin Webster*  - Clarinet
Amanda Young * - Clarinet
Christine Yu * - Trombone

Chorus
Nathan Krishnaswami * - Tenor

Orchestra
Ryan Fess * - Bass
Elizabeth Kaelbling * - French Horn
Emily Sullivan * - Oboe

Jazz Ensemble
Patrick Noonan * - Tenor Saxophone

* = Musicians receiving an All-State Recommendation

KP Marching Band is Best in the Land

Photo by Chris Roman.

The King Philip Regional High School Marching Band, the Pride & the Passion, took home the top title at the US Bands Division 4 Open National Champions, held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. The band scored a 97.075 to take the title. The band also won Best Music, Best Percussion and Best Effect. 

Earlier this month, the band won the US Bands Division 4 New England States competition in Bridgeport.  The band is comprised of Wrentham, Norfolk and Plainville students in grades 8 thru 12.  The band will be performing again for the public during halftime at the King Philip vs. Franklin football game on Thanksgiving Day at King Philip High School and at the King Philip Winter Pops Concert at King Philip High School on December 1st.

McGoldrick to Perform Tonight

Norfolk's Bill McGoldrick will perform tonight in Medfield at Noon Hill Grill. McGoldrick performs acoustically with vocalist Pamela Stiebler.   This summer, McGoldrick and Stiebler were voted "Best Local Acoustic Act" at the 2012 WMRC Music Awards. To hear the two perform there are several samples of their music on the duo's web site. http://billmcgoldrick.net/index.html

Date of Fall Classic Announced

The King Philip Music Association and the Oliver Ames Music Association proudly announce the annual KP/OA Fall Classic Marching Band show sponsored by USBands on Saturday, October 6th at 6pm at the King Philip High School Main Field, 201 Franklin St. Wrentham, MA. King Philip is excited to be hosting the show again after a two year absence. In addition to King Philip and Oliver Ames, nine bands from across Massachusetts and Rhode Island will be performing at a show that is sure to thrill all.

King Philip will be closing the evening with their show “The Other Side” which features the stirring music of Sergei Prokofiev and Malcolm Arnold. The Other Side tells the story of a man enticed by what he thinks is a better life in another world, but once he gets there he discovers it is not all he thought it would be. His attempts to get back to his original life are met with resistance. 

Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for seniors and students.

Federated Church Names Director of Children’s Music Ministry

The Federated Church of Norfolk announced that Bonnie O’Connell has agreed to join its staff as the Director of Children’s Music Ministry and will begin her work with the children in September. O’Connell has been teaching music and technology in the Norfolk School System for the last thirty-five years and grew up in the church. The hope is the children’s choir will soon perform during the Sunday morning worship schedule. The days and times of rehearsals are yet to be determined, however choir rehearsals are likely to be on Sunday mornings either immediately before or after worship.

Town Hill Summer Concerts Continue this Thursday

Norfolk Recreation launched its 2012 Summer Concert Series on July 5th with the Sharon Concert Band and continued with oldies from the Reminisants last week. Destination Dreamland will perform this Thursday and is co-sponsored by Norfolk Public Library.

The rest of the summer schedule is:

July 19
Franklin School for the Performing Arts: Electric Youth!

July 26
Black and White Band-Swing/Rhythm and Blues

August 2
Garden Party- Rock Band!

August 9
The Locals - Irish Family Fun!

The Concert Series is funded by Norfolk Recreation with a contribution from the Norfolk Cultural Council.