The 83rd annual Candlelight Concert is -= as always — a treasure.
The Staples High School Music Department’s gift to the town debuted Friday night. It continued with 2 more performances, yesterday afternoon and evening.
(Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
This year’s production included the world premiere of “I Found the Light,” a commissioned work by 2013 graduates Jake Landau and Emily Garber. The composers took well-deserved bows from the audience.
“I Found the Light” composers Emily Garber and Jake Landau.
Hundreds of orchestra, band and choral members participated. Bravo to directors Jeri Brima, Philip Giampietro, Carrie Mascaro, Lauren Pine and Caitlin Serpliss for their wonderful work!
One view of the “Sing We Noel” processional … (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
… and another. (Photo/Dan Woog)
The Symphonic Orchestra, during the “Sing We Noel” processional. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Among the small ensembles: The Jazz Combo played “O Hanukkah.” (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
Rudolph — the famous reindeer — joined the production number. (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
Alumni of all ages headed to the stage for the “Hallelujah Chorus.” (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
The combined symphonic orchestra and choral ensembles — plus alumni — at Friday’s “Hallelujah Chorus.” As is traditional, the audience stands. (Photo/Mark Potts)
View from the risers, before Saturday’s “Hallelujah Chorus.” (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
Lauren Pine made her debut as Staples choral director. (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
Phil Giampietro, after conducting “I Found the Light.” (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
The threat of rain and poor air quality drove the 7th annual Staples High Pops Concert indoors yesterday.
The move from the Levitt Pavilion to the school auditorium was unfortunate.
But the show must go on. And it did — in the traditional spectacular, wow-’em-with-talent-and-creativity fashion.
Pre-concert music featured groups like this. Colin Morgeson (piano — and “06880” intern), Josh Deitch (drums), Tegh Singh (guitar, rear), Jeffrey Pogue (vocals) and Whitman Teplica (guitar) rocked out “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”
Small vocal and instrumental groups, the Jazz Ensemble, Choralaires and Symphonic Orchestra played eclectic sets. Individual talents were showcased; so was the tight, well-honed work of larger groups.
Ben Herrera offered a stunning “You’ll Be Back” from “Hamilton.” “Now you don’t have to pay $1,500 for a ticket,” MC David Pogue said.
MC David Pogue — the proud father of 2 Staples music graduates, and one more next week — kept the show moving with his trademark humor and educational asides. As he noted often, it was almost as if the audience was under the stars.
Shanti Wimmer, backed by the Jazz Ensemble, sang a sultry version of Al Jolson’s “Avalon.”
Well, they were. The stars of the night were scores of Staples students, doing what they love, for a town that appreciates them and their wonderful teachers.
(From left): Rohan Wadhwani, Curtis Sullivan, Ethan Walmark, Max Ardrey and Ben Herrera, performed Billy Joel’s “The Longest Time.”
James Dobin-Smith, accompanied by Andrew Maskoff on piano, offered Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”
Host David Pogue brought the magic of the Levitt Pavilion into the Staples auditorium.
The Staples music educators who make magic happen. From left: Phil Giampietro, Caitlin Serpliss, Jeri Hockensmith, Luke Rosenberg. Missing: Carrie Mascaro. (All photos/Dan Woog)
This weekend’s Candlelight Concert — the 82nd since 1940 — honored both its long and storied tradition, and kept it fresh and new.
The choral symphonic and jazz ensembles awed the full auditorium with their voices and musicianship. The program — from the traditional, lovely “Sing We Noel” through the stunning “Nutcracker Suite,” rousing “Jubilate Deo” and clever production number, to the powerful “Home Alone Suite” and rousing “Hallelujah Chorus” finale — was both proof that our town’s young artists are very alive, quite well (and superbly well-trained), and that even in times of uncertainty and division, all can be right in Westport.
Congratulations and thanks to all who made Candlelight possible: choral director Luke Rosenberg; orchestra directors Carrie Mascaro and Jeri Hockensmith; band director Phil Giampietro; townwide music and visual arts coordinator Steve Zimmerman — and of course all the teenage musicians, who gave us the gift of music.
And of course thanks to Lynn Untermeyer Miller, who captured all the magic of the show.
The stage …
… and the lobby …
… the welcoming musicians …
… the ubiquitous Alice Addicks …
… the “Sing We Noel” processional …
… the orchestra …
… in tune with each other …
… an intense gaze …
… the Jazz Combo plays “Frosty the Red-Nosed Christmas Tree” …
… and the vocal duet “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow” …
… and the music …
… and the production number, Don Rickenback’s original “Holiday Greeting Letter” …
… and another production number view …
… while Jeri Hockensmith (rear) introduces her Staples music department staff (from left) Carrie Moscaro, Luke Rosenberg, Nick Giampietro and Don Rickenback. (All photos/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
(Happy holidays! If you’d like to help support this hyper-local blog, please click here. Thank you!)
In early March of 2020, Staples High School’s Jazz Ensemble placed first at Darien High School’s festival.
The young musicians were excited. So was Phil Giampietro. It was his first year as director; he’d taken over just 6 months earlier, from longtime leader Nick Mariconda.
Less than a week later, COVID struck. School was closed. Stuck at home, students rehearsed virtually. It was a dark, sad time.
When Staples reopened in the fall, nearly every aspect of education changed. But Giampietro kept his Jazz Ensemble together.
The group — 20 or so young musicians, out of the many dozen in the band program — rehearsed every Thursday.
Sure, they were spaced 12 feet apart in the (fortunately) large band room. They wore masks, and put bell covers on their instruments. But being together, playing jazz, was a highlight for every member, in those long, lonesome days.
They were good. This year, they got even better. Giampietro submitted a recording to the National Jazz Festival. A Staples combo placed first.
That led to an invitation to the Connecticut Music Educators Association conference April 1 — their first in-person meeting in 2 years. Staples shares the stage with Hall-West Hartford, one of the most revered jazz programs in the country.
The Staples Jazz Ensemble. Director Phil Giampietro is in the first row, far right.
The Staples students are excited. Four do double duty, having also been selected for All-State honors.
The Jazz Ensemble will play a range of music, from the likes of Duke Ellington, Thad Jones and Craig Skeffington. Influences include swing, Latin, rhythm and blues, and hip hop.
“This group has taken their music very, very seriously,” Giampietro says. “They’re doing it their way, and they’re really, really enjoying it.”
Staples jazz musicians, performing earlier this winter. (Photos/Allison Ginzburg)
Educators from around the state will be impressed by the Staples musicians. You can see them too. On April 7 (7 p.m., Westport Library, in-person and Zoom), they’ll join Bedford Middle School, Ridgefield High and saxophonist/University of Connecticut assistant professor of jazz studies John Mastroianni at the town’s first Night of Jazz. Click here to register for the in-person show. (free!). If you can’t be at the Trefz Forum, click here for the livestream.
But you don’t have to wait. For a taste of what Staples’ jazz musicians can do, click below.
Staples High School’s 81st annual Candlelight Concert — but first of the 2020s decade — awed audiences this weekend, with stunning performances by nearly 200 young musicians and singers.
(Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
With slight tweaks — an almost indiscernible new arrangement of “Sing We Noel,” snappy staging, even a new font in the program — the beloved event held on to all its important rituals, while offering fresh takes that showcased astonishing individual talents, and tremendous collaboration among teachers and groups.
A festive scene greeted concert-goers in the auditorium lobby. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Along with offerings from the Symphonic Band, Symphonic Orchestra nd Choirs, highlights included (but were hardly limited to) the Jazz Combo’s “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”; the String Quartet’s “Andante Festivo”; the Percussion Ensemble’s “Nutcracker to Go,” and the show-stopping “Fantasie for Piano, Choir & Orchestra Op. 80” by Beethoven, with vocal soloists and a mesmerizing performance by senior pianist Sasha Maskoff.
Another tradition: Alice Addicks greeting the audience. (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
Each music instructor took turns leading combined group. Take a well-deserved bow, Luke Rosenberg, Carrie Mascaro, Phil Giampietro and Jeri Hockensmith — and your scores of talented, passionate performing artists.
(Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
“Sing We Noel” processional (Photo/Dan Woog)
Orchestra director Jeri Hockensmith leads “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.” (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
All eyes are on the conductor. (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
Phil Giampietro acknowledges applause for the band and orchestra. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Masks did not detract at all from the choral selections. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Choral director Luke Rosenberg helped mastermind the 2021 Candlelight Concert. (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
Jeffrey Pogue and Shanti Wimmer solo on the Jazz Ensemble’s “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
Sasnta and friend, in Don Rickenback’s peppy production number (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
Carrie Mascaro conducts the rousing “Hallelujah Chorus.” (Photo/Dan Woog)
Adding a bit of color to the Symphonic Band. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Staples music instructors (from left) Jeri Hockesmith,Don Rickenback, Mary Gardner, Luke Rosenberg, Phil Giampietro and Caitlin Serpliss acknowledge applause of their musicians after the “Hallelujah Chorus.” (Photo/Dan Woog)
Dozens of alumni joined nearly 200 musicians onstage for the “Hallelujah Chorus” finale. (Photo/Danielle Dobin)
Missed the concert? Mark this coming Thursday (December 23, 8 p.m.); click on www.StaplesMusic.org, for a streamed, previously recorded show.
Staples High School’s Jazz Combo earned 1st place at the 2021 National Jazz Festival this weekend. They competed in Small Ensemble Division 1 Live Performance.
Leading the quintet were seniors Lucas Lieberman (piano) and Abe Rubin (bass). The other members are sophomores: Noah Jahnel (tenor saxophone), Delaney McGee (trumpet), and Witt Lindau (drums).
Lucas was named the Superior Musician for the division, while Delaney and Witt were selected as 2 of the 3 Outstanding Musicians.
The Staples High School Jazz Ensemble participated in the Large Ensemble Division 1 Live Performance competition. Though they did not place, the adjudicators called the ensemble a “swingin’ band” and “one of the better bands that we’ve heard, in a tough division.” Congratulations to director Phil Giampietro, and all the musicians!
Westport’s back-to-normal journey continued yesterday, with a pair of just-like-old-times events.
The Westport Woman’s Club held its annual-except-for-last-year art show. Paintings, photos, ceramics — all by local artists — were admired (and bought) by a large, joyful bunch of happy-to-be-back art lovers.
Miggs Burroughs and Nina Bentley were among the artists exhibiting at yesterday’s Westport Woman’s Club show.
And Frederic Chiu and Jeanine Esposito opened Beechwood — their Weston Road home, where they host regular arts salons (and more) — to the public, for the first time in a year.
The grounds were spectacular. Especially the centerpiece: an ancient copper beech tree, which gives the property and the arts series its name.
The Beechwood copper birch tree. (Photo/June Rose Whittaker)
COVID stopped many things this year — but not the National Charity League.
Yesterday, Staples High School’s chapter of the mother/daughter community service organization honored 5 pairs — each of whom did more than 30 hours annually — with a “car caravan.”
It ended with a ceremonial “tea” at Ned Dimes Marina, for all 16 seniors.
National Charity League seniors, at Ned Dimes Marina. Back row (from left): Lauren Spheeris, Milei Wyatt, Grace Maloney, Tatiana Bicalho, Daphne Baker, Hannah Murphy, Kaytlyn Carnahan, Callie Rourke, Kyla Race. Front row: Maya Sampath, Abby Ragland, Isabelle Gerard, Hayley Buckman, Elana Lundbye, Sarah Corneck, Chloe Chaple..
Just added to the Remarkable Theater’s schedule: “Private Benjamin.” It’s this Thursday (May 27, 8 p.m.). The parking lot opens at 7 p.m., for tailgating.
Boston College’s “Spoon River Revival” has won the Outstanding Creative Ensemble Award from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
Four cast members — including Staples High School Class of 2020 graduate Nick Rossi — were chosen to participate in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship competition. The award provides recognition, honor and financial assistance to outstanding student performers for the further pursuit of education. Click here for the full story.
Emily (Sophie Rossman) and George (Nick Rossi) at the soda shop, in Staples Players’ production of “Our Town.” (Photo/Kerry Long)
Yesterday, the town announced a special virtual Memorial Day celebration for tomorrow (Monday, May 25).
At 9 a.m., a 17-minute video will be broadcast on Cablevision channel 79 and Frontier channel 6020. It will be posted later on the town’s Facebook page.
But hey: Want a sneak peak? It’s already on the Town of Westport’sYouTube channel!
It sounds like our middle and high school bands were captured live. But the story is far more complex — and difficult — than that.
One screenshot from Westport’s virtual Memorial Day parade …
Bedford Middle School band teacher Lou Kitchner takes us behind the scenes:
Due to the COVID-19 school closure, Westport students have been unable to participate in traditional school experiences that were a significant part of their daily activities — like music classes.
To address this problem, and also honor Westport’s fallen heroes and veterans, grade 6-12 band directors James Forgey, Gregg Winters and Phil Giampietro and I designed a way for students to share their musical talents via a digital performance.
Clockwise from upper left: Gregg Winters, Lou Kitchner, Phil Giampietro, James Forgey.
We created and posted a play-along audio track, with an embedded metronome click, on their class websites. Students practiced their individual parts by playing along with the audio accompaniment.
After a week or two of practice, 165 students recorded their individual performances, just as professional studio musicians do. They used whatever technology they had available: a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone.
All 165 submissions were then imported into multi-track music software by the teachers. Next the band directors aligned and edited them in time with the song’s tempo, and mixed them down into a single ensemble performance track.
The individual mixes — 6th, 7th and 8th grades, and the combined Staples High School bands — were then combined into one complete grade 6-12 performance. I am so proud of these kids! It sounds like they were all together, in one room.
To complement the audio, we asked students to submit photos of themselves holding or performing their instrument — in school or town- related attire if possible (school closure prevented them from accessing uniforms or school-specific parade t-shirts).
… and another.
Staples media teacher Geno Heiter then spent hours merging all the photos with the final ensemble mix to create the final product: a virtual Memorial Day parade!
Westport has won 7 straight “Best Community for Music Education” awards, from a national foundation. After this effort, they should just name it after us and retire it forever.
Posted onNovember 2, 2019|Comments Off on Did You Miss Staples’ Fall Music Concerts? Here They Are!
With so much going on every day, you might have missed the Staples High School music department’s 3 fall concerts.
Or maybe you’re an alum, living far away.
No problem! Thanks to the magic of former media lab instructor Jim Honeycutt, all 3 are available now.
The chamber, symphonic, sophomore and freshman orchestra’s concert was called “Something Old, Something New.” It featured music from the Baroque era, to contemporary works.
The choral concert highlighted music of the Renaissance.
Meanwhile, the symphonic band and wind ensemble presented “Winds of Change.”
Finally, here’s an extra feature: an interview with Phil Giampietro. The new bands director talks about his plans for the pep band:
Let the music play!
Comments Off on Did You Miss Staples’ Fall Music Concerts? Here They Are!
Click here to help support “06880” via credit card or PayPal. Any amount is welcome, appreciated — and tax-deductible! Reader contributions keep this blog going. (Alternate methods: Please send a check to “06880”: PO Box 744, Westport, CT 06881. Or use Venmo: @blog06880. Or Zelle: dwoog@optonline.net. Thanks!)
GET THE “06880” APP
The “06880” app (search for it on the Apple or Android store) is the easiest way to get “06880.” Choose notifications: whenever a new post is published, or once or twice a day. Click here for details.
