File photo/Bonnie Adams
Region – Apple Tree Arts will host the third annual “Spooky Halloween Music Festival” Sunday, Oct. 26, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Grafton Middle School, 22 Providence Road. The festival will feature an open rehearsal and performance of Claflin Hill Youth Symphonies (CHYS), Halloween games, and an “instrument petting zoo,” allowing residents to try orchestra instruments provided by Robinson Music of Westborough. The event is free and the public is welcome.
“The music festival is a great way for Apple Tree Arts to showcase the talented musicians of the Claflin Hill Youth Symphonies,” said Donna Blanchard, executive director of Apple Tree Arts. “These highly, disciplined musicians are an inspiration for our school’s students. To truly appreciate how hard these young symphony musicians practice and dedicate themselves, students must see them in a live performance.”
The 60-member CHYS is led by Music Director and Conductor Paul Surapine, who is the founder and executive artistic director of the Claflin Music Performance Foundation based in Milford.
“We are pleased to participate in the music festival that lets students experience what performing with an orchestra involves,” Surapine said. “Our three different ensembles – an introductory Repertory Ensemble for young string students, a Youth Wind Ensemble and Senior Youth Orchestra will rehearse and perform in the auditorium at different times.”
Surapine is also a longtime faculty member of Apple Tree Arts.
“Claflin Hill has a real synergy with Apple Tree Arts who we view as our educational partner,” Surapine explained. “Several of their students participate in the CHYSO and many members of the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra are on the faculty of the community music and theatre arts school. We work together in a collaborative way.”
CHYS practices weekly on Sunday afternoons at Massachusetts Bay Community College’s Framingham campus. They perform several concerts during the academic year.
For more information, visit www.appletreearts.org.
