Taunton High School Hosts First “Exchange Concert” with Neighboring Schools Since 2019

5-photo collage of student band performance(Student bands from Hanover, Hingham, Marshfield, Scituate and Taunton High Schools perform at the Robert Park Auditorium at Taunton High School)

 

 

TAUNTON- Superintendent John Cabral and Performing Arts Coordinator Corey Beltram are pleased to share the return of the South Shore Concert Bands Exchange Concert at Taunton High School. On Thursday, January 25, student musicians from Hanover, Hingham, Marshfield, Scituate and Taunton High Schools’ Symphonic Band performed in the Robert Park Auditorium at Taunton High School. This was the first exchange concert since the school closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.


The private concert was an opportunity for students to hear their peers perform and experience other bands at a similar skill level. Taunton High School Band Director Dan McKenzie organized the concert through his professional network. “I’d like to commend Mr. McKenzie for his work bringing back this enriching experience for our students,” Superintendent Cabral said. “We have a goal to grow our performing arts program and events like this are an integral part of achieving that goal.”


The cooperative nature of the event was on display when students from Taunton and other schools stepped in to substitute for absent musicians during Hingham’s performance. 


“It was wonderful to connect with other bands again after such a long time,” Beltram said. “The most inspiring part of the night was hearing such thunderous applause from the students for their peers.”


Each band performed two pieces. Before the performance, all the students gathered together in the cafeteria for pizza.




Hingham High School Wind Ensemble

Director Brian Cincotta

“Seal Lullaby” by Eric Whitacre

“Variations on a Korean Folk Song” by John Banes Chace


Hanover High School Symphonic Band

Director Matthew Harden

“Three Ayres from Gloucester” by Hugh Stuart

“Halcyon Hearts” by Katahj Copley


Marshfield High School Symphonic Band

Director David Kaminski

“Radiance” by Mark Lortz

“Palette” by Randall Strandridge


Scituate High School Symphonic Band

“Shenandoah” by Frank Ticheli

“Lord Tullamore” by Carl Wittrock


Taunton High School Symphonic Band

Director Dan McKenzie

“Song for Lyndsay” by Andrew Boysen

“Children’s March” by Percy Aldridge Grainger