Uxbridge Friends of Music

News

Uxbridge High School and Whitin Middle School Score Big at Great East Festival!!!

The UHS Chorus earned the School's first ever Platinum rating at the Great East Festival on May 4th, 2012. The UHS Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Spartones all earned Gold ratings on the same day. The WMS Chorus, Intermediate, and Advanced Bands all earned Gold ratings at their participation in the Great East Festival on May 18th, 2012. For both schools, the outings were truly successful,and all are to be congratulated:Band and chorus members, and the music directors and teachers from both schools:Kathleen Penza, Nick LaPete, Jeanne Rapoza, and Rob Hammerton!!! Thank you for all of your hard work and commitment that make our music programs not only a huge success but also such a pleasure for so many participants and listeners. Thank You!!!

Brooks Family Foundation Is a Generous Donor!

Many Thanks!...to the Brooks Family Foundation for their generous gift of $2,500.00 to UFOM. Their kindness is greatly appreciated and their gift will be used for the acquisition of musical instruments for the Uxbridge Public Schools' music programs. Thank you!

Central District Junior High Music Festival Concert

The Massachusetts Music Educators Central District Jr. High Music Festival Concert was held on April 28th at Marlboro Middle School. The Whitin Middle School was represented by 8th grader Zachary Jordan and 7th grader Celeste Frederickson who sang in the Chorus. 8th grader Zackary Mages played clarinet in the Concert Band and 8th grader Rob Wondolowski played trombone in the Jazz Band.

Students were selected through an audition process that took place on Saturday, February 4th at Gibbons Middle School in Westboro. Over 1,000 students from Central Massachusetts auditioned with eight of those coming from the Whitin School. Celeste, Zach, Zack and Rob attended two extended rehearsals in April. The concert featured a chorus, orchestra, jazz band, and concert band all made up of grade seven and eight students from central Massachusetts.

Click picture to see closeup.

Celeste Frederickson, Zack Mages, Rob Wondolowski, Zach Jordan

Our Trip To Boston

Grade 8 Band members (and a few lucky 7th Graders) went to Boston on March 14th to Boston Symphony Hall to attend the Boston Symphony Youth Concert, at which the BSO was to play selections such as "March from Raiders of the Lost Ark" by Williams, "Cinderella's Dream" by Prokofiev, "The Thunderer March" by Sousa, and others. Unfortunately, the concert was cancelled due to a blown transformer in Boston. Since the group didn't find out about the cancellation until they were almost there, they decided to take a walk on the Boston Common, where they saw some interesting monuments and learned which war was dubbed "The Great War." (WW I) They then proceeded to the State House where they were lucky enough to get a tour. The BSO has refunded the ticket money.

Pictures from the trip may be accessed by clicking on the following link: Our Boston Trip

Uxbridge Friends of Music Meeting Dates

All UFM meetings are open to all parents and supporters of the Uxbridge Public School music department. Meetings are held in the Band Room (Room 111) at the Whitin School beginning at 7:00 PM. Your participation is welcome!!

The schedule for the year is as follows:

September 12
October 17
November 14
December 19
January 9
February 13
March 12
April 9
May 14
June 11

We Continue to Grow

Music at Uxbridge High School continues to grow, and we offer four ensembles as well as courses in music appreciation, fundamentals of guitar, and music theory. For our full schedule, updates and news please visit our calendar tab!

Uxbridge High School Ensembles

Concert Choir: The UHS Concert Choir is open to any UHS student, and accepts new members throughout the months of September and January. We primarily rehearse Tuesdays from 2:10 - 3:30 and the first Wednesday of every month from 5 - 7. Students who are enrolled in the in-school class need only attend the monthly night rehearsal. This is a great ensemble for anyone!

Concert Band: The UHS Concert Band is open to any UHS student who has an instrumental background on woodwind, brass or percussion instruments. We rehearse Thursdays from 2:10 - 3:30 and the last Wednesday of every month from 5 - 7. Students who are enrolled in the in-school class need only attend the monthly night rehearsal. The band performs not only at concerts throughout the year but also at UHS varsity football and basketball games and parades in the town of Uxbridge.

Jazz Band: The UHS Jazz Band is open to any member of the Concert Band interested in learning the techniques and style of jazz music in a traditional big band setting. We rehearse Fridays 2:10 - 3:30 and the second Wednesday of every month from 5 - 7.

Spartones: The Spartones are an auditioned a cappella group that rehearses every Monday night from 4:30 - 6:30. Auditions are held early in the year, and members of the Spartones must also perform in the Concert Choir.

Whitin Middle School Ensembles

Mr. Hammerton, Mrs. Rapoza, and Mrs. Penza have been busy developing schedules for instrumental music lessons, band rehearsals, and chorus rehearsals for the 2011-12 school year. Students will be informed of their individual lesson times and the full ensembles will rehearse as follows:

Beginner Band

Grade 5 - Thursdays, Period 8 - beginning in late October.

Intermediate Band

Grade 6 - Tuesdays, Period 8 - beginning September 13th.

Advanced Band

Grades 7 & 8 - Wednesdays on a rotation through Periods 1,2,3, and 4 - beginning September 7th.

Jazz Band

Select students Grades 6, 7, & 8 - Wednesdays 2:00 - 3:15 - beginning mid-October.

Grade 5 Chorus

Thursdays, Period 8 beginning September 22nd AND Tuesdays from 2:00 - 3:00 PM - beginning September 20th.

Grade 6 Chorus

Tuesdays, Period 8 beginning September 13th AND Tuesdays from 2:00 - 3:00 PM - beginning September 20th.

Grade 7 & 8 Chorus

Wednesdays on a rotation through Periods 1,2,3, & 4 beginning September 14th
AND Tuesdays from 2:00 - 3:00 PM - beginning September 20th.

Taft School

Grades One and Two are working from Dr. John Feierabend's Music Curriculum, singing, moving and listening to many genres of music.

Grades Three and Four will be focusing on music literacy as we begin to read notes together and learn the expressive qualities of music. Grade four students will be starting recorder at the end of the month.

Taft School is also planning a Veterans' Day musical tribute on Nov 10. Fourth grade students will be singing songs of the armed forces and several patriotic selections as a musical offering to the veterans of our community. Fourth grade students who enjoy singing should consider joining Taft School Chorus. Sign up forms will be sent home after Veterans' Day.Rehearsal day and time to be announced.