Fall 2021 Music Notes

FA ARTS

Fall 2021

Music Notes

BY MICHAEL SAKASH ARTS DEPARTMENT CHAIR

As I write this update on fall music activities, the cast, crew, and pit orchestra are taking a well-deserved moment to relax after their fourth sold-out performance of the musical Mamma Mia. I can’t help but enjoy the enthusiasm of our art students and marvel at their hard work and resilience. At Fryeburg Academy, we continue to negotiate the challenges of rehearsing and performing in our rapidly changing world. Despite these challenges, there is renewed energy and a feeling of momentum among our student performers and our art teachers as we gradually return to activities that have traditionally been a part of the school year.

In October, we kicked off our music season with performances at the Fryeburg Fair. Our chorus took part in strolling performances, and the FA rock band performed a three-hour set at Water Wheel Park. The marching band featured the music of New Orleans musician Trombone Shorty at Saturday’s grand parade. Two weeks later, the rock band performed for a sizable gathering at the homecoming bonfire. The marching band added a bit of excitement to the football team’s impressive victory over Nokomis High School.

As in past years, music students worked hard in preparation for state and district honors festival auditions. These festivals, which take place in January and May, are planned as in-person festivals. Students auditioned by submitting videos of prepared repertoire and technique. This year, vocalists Kacey-Jane Clark ’23, Taylor Gunther ’22, Ayannah Ward ’22, and Willow Carter ’22 were selected to sing with the Maine All State Jazz Choir. Violinist Isaac Houghton ’25 was chosen as a member of the Maine All State Jazz Combo, and saxophonist Griffin Gillis ’25 was selected as the lead alto saxophonist with the Maine All State Jazz Band. At the district level, vocalist Ayannah Ward ’22 was chosen to sing with the District II Chorus, and band members, Chloe Sartory ’23 (flute), Will Guthro ’23 (percussion), Griffin Gillis ’25 (saxophone), Carter Franks ’25 (trumpet), Quinn Hagerty ’25 (trumpet), Brian Lucy ’24 (bass clarinet), Kevin Lucy ’24 (clarinet), Andy Irwin ’23 (clarinet) and Owen Reinbach ’25 (trombone) will perform with the District II Band. Isaac Houghton ’25 and Gideon Richard ’24 were selected for the District II Orchestra. Fryeburg will be well represented at this year’s district and state festivals!

In addition to our typical schedule of after-school rehearsals, ESOL teacher Greg Huang-Dale launched an acoustic folk ensemble this fall that meets each week. The group currently includes student violinists, guitarists, and bassists. We are also excited about the growth of Fryeburg Academy’s string orchestra. Led by violinist Phil Marshall and violist Ellen Schwindt, the orchestra brings student violinists, violists, and cellists together with community string players. “The Valley Strings” will be included with our chorus and band at this year’s Candlelight Concert.

And oh yes, jazz — always an FA tradition. With such a busy fall, Fryeburg Academy’s instrumental and vocal jazz ensembles are just getting started. The FA Big Band is currently preparing for a January 27th performance alongside the Portland Jazz Orchestra at One Longfellow Square in Portland, and all of our jazz groups have just begun preparations for district and state jazz festivals that will occur this spring. We hope to share our students’ excellent work with friends, family, and alumni this year at our performances on and off-campus!

Bari Sax Players (left to right): Rohan Hikel ’22, Charlie Campbell ’22, and Michael Malia ’25