Tag Archives: Nick Mariconda

Warmed By Candlelight

Posted on December 15, 2012 | 1 comment

Celebration and solemnity mixed together last night at Staples.

The high school’s 72nd annual Candlelight Concert provided not only its traditional joy, pageantry and warmth, but also a chance for Westporters to gather and reflect on the morning tragedy a few miles north in Newtown.

Principal John Dodig noted that the realization that 20 sets of parents would never again hug their children reinforced the importance of being with “the kids we love.”

Then the healing power of music began.

Choir member Michael Sixsmith was part of the always-evocative "Sing We Noel" processional. (Photo by Lynn U. Miller)

Choir member Michael Sixsmith was part of the always-evocative “Sing We Noel” processional. (Photo by Lynn U. Miller)

The Staples Choir's rendition of "Holy Night, Silent Night" was hauntingly beautiful. (Photo by Lynn U. Miller)

The Staples Choir’s rendition of “Holy Night, Silent Night” was hauntingly beautiful. (Photo by Lynn U. Miller)

The choir's traditional production number included -- as usual -- reindeer. (Photo by Lynn U. Miller)

The choir’s traditional production number included reindeer. (Photo by Lynn U. Miller)

Santa, elves, the choir, chorus, chorale and orchestra joined in a magnificent "Hallelujah Chorus" finale. (Photo by Lynn U. Miller)

Santa, elves, the choir, chorus, chorale and orchestra joined in a magnificent “Hallelujah Chorus” finale. (Photo by Lynn U. Miller)

New choral director Luke Rosenberg and veteran orchestra conductor Adele Valovich take bows after last night's Candlelight Concert. Nick Mariconda's band also played magnificently. (Photo by Lynn U. Miller)

New choral director Luke Rosenberg and veteran orchestra conductor Adele Valovich took bows after last night’s Candlelight Concert. Nick Mariconda’s band also played magnificently. (Photo by Lynn U. Miller)

1 Comment

Posted in Arts, People, Staples HS, Teenagers

Tagged , , , ,

71st Annual Gift To The Town (New Photos Added)

Posted on December 11, 2011 | 4 comments

Every year since 1940, the Staples High School music department has offered the Candlelight Concert to the town.

This weekend, several hundred teenagers — and instructors Adele Cutrali-Valovich, Nick Mariconda and Justin Miller — provided the gift of music to 3 wildly appreciative audiences.

The program included solemn hymns, classical music, a rousing African number, whimsical tunes — and of course, a production number.

In everyone’s thoughts were Nava Zeevi, the longtime accompanist whose husband Kuti was killed in a robbery Thursday night. Todd Simmons, assistant director of the Westport School of Music, stepped in to take her place.

Solomon Sloat (top) and Will Bitsky in the traditional "Sing We Noel" processional. (Photos by Lynn U. Miller)

Senior Mike Ljungberg provides the beat for the lovely African song "Ogo ni fun Oluwa!" (Photo by Lynn U. Miller)

Sophomore chorale member Rick Daily gives it his all. (Photo by Lynn U. Miller)

Mrs. Claus and her dancers (top), and her husband Santa Claus and the Staples choir, in the traditional production number. (Photo by Lynn U. Miller)

(From bottom left) Michael Sixsmith, Mikell Washington and Santa Claus singing the rousing finale, the Hallelujah Chorus. (Photo by Lynn U. Miller)

4 Comments

Posted in Arts, Staples HS, Teenagers

Tagged , , , , ,

Tooting Josh Frank’s Trumpet

Posted on November 2, 2011 | 2 comments

When Josh Frank received a Westport Arts “Horizons” Award in 2009 — as a “rising young artist” — he was surprised and honored.

He also felt guilty.  “I thought, ‘they recognized me, but what have I done for Westport?'” the trumpeter, composer and movie producer asked recently.

Though he lives in New York, he vowed to do more.

Josh enjoys working with kids.  He’s doing that now, teaching pro bono “master classes” for trumpeters at Staples and Coleytown Middle School.

Josh Frank

He talks with the students about trumpet fundamentals — but ties the instrument in with the real world.  “Music doesn’t exist by itself, or in a box,” he says.  “The lessons that come out of it — practice regimens, connecting with people — they’re so important in life.”

His students like to hear about his own post-Staples career.  He’s recorded a film score for a Francis Ford Coppola movie; performed at Central Park’s SummerStage with Yo-Yo Ma and Bobby McFerrin; been featured on camera in “Royal Pains”; recorded a commercial for IBM; toured as a soloist with the New York Symphonic Ensemble; helped found a chamber orchestra that’s been featured on Channel 13; and performed with his “Batteries Duo” group at various sites in Minneapolis — including the Apple Store.

The Staples (Class of 2000), Juilliard and Manhattan School of Music grad has recorded with David Byrne, and toured Japan with Boyz II Men.

Who says you can’t make a living doing what you love?

Josh Frank in action.

As if that’s enough, Josh has started teaching privately in Westport.  He’s got a few trumpet students already, but has room for one or two more.

He can relate to plenty of kids in town.

“When I first started playing, in 5th grade at King’s Highway, I was like every other kid in band,” he recalls.  “I loved it, but I had no idea where it would lead.”

But his teachers and parents encouraged and supported him.  Gregg Winters, Nick Mariconda, Adele Valovich — all those Westport instructors and more have helped make him who he is.

And now Josh Frank is paying it — and playing it — back.

And forward.

(To contact Josh, email josh@joshfrankmusic.com, or call 917-742-6040.  Click here for his website.)

2 Comments

Posted in Arts, Education, People, Staples HS

Tagged , , ,