By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – Since she was in the seventh grade, Adriana Giordano has been singing in a school chorus and enjoying it.
“It's like a family and we all have fun making music together,” she said. “I'se realized I want to pursue music as a career and I am expanding my musical knowledge and experience through special courses.”
Giordano, Jessie Crete and Robbie McCabe are among the Marlborough High School students enjoying freedom of expression through the music technology program, a non-traditional approach to music, supervised by Shannon Phypers, choral director.
Emphasizing that “music is an intelligence that needs to be nurtured,” Jonathan Rosenthal, music coordinator for Marlborough Public Schools, said he is pleased that the new approach to music is being well received by students and is proving to prepare them more fully for college and the working world.
Through the years, city residents have been enjoying performances by the Marching Panther Band that leads the annual Labor Day Parade and performs at all home and away football games. Each November the combined choruses participate in the city's “Home for the Holidays” program on Main Street and this year the String and Jazz Ensembles performed at the First Church in early December. Throughout December students performed in winter concerts that were well attended. Attendees at the mayor's annual Senior of the Year dinner applauded enthusiastically to the music of the school bands.
Contributing immeasurably to the successful programs in the schools is the participation of the Marlborough Public Schools Music Association (MPSMA) whose mission is “to provide students with the opportunity to experience and understand music by creating, performing, and responding, thereby inspiring a lifelong involvement in the art of music.”
Members include students, parents of music students, music teachers, and community members. MPSMA holds several major fundraising events including gift wrapping at the Solomon Pond Mall, and coat check and various concessions at school functions. They have provided thousands of dollars to the music program and purchased a new instrument storage system, new sound equipment, acoustical panels, as well as supplemental and new performance dress for concerts and competitions.
Through their efforts, MPSMA presents annual scholarships to graduating seniors who will be continuing their education in the music field, provides funds for various student functions throughout the year, and supports student programs and activities in cultural events and on performing trips.
The association was founded in 1945 and originally formed as the Marlborough High School Band Association. In 1992, the organization expanded to include the vocal and dance groups and changed from supporting just the high school groups to also supporting lower grades. MPSMA President Marlene Manell extends an invitation to residents to join the volunteer group. Anyone interested in joining the group or seeking additional information may contact Melanie Whapham at 508-485-8499 or [email protected]t.