Westport Music Department Once Again Recognized Among Best Communities for Music Education

For the eight straight year, the Westport Public Schools Music Dept. has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from the NAMM Foundation. Recognized for its outstanding commitment to music education, Westport joins 623 districts across the country in receiving this prestigious award for 2019. The recognition is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.

Manny Vouse

Tomaso Scotti

Staples Seniors Receive CAS Arts Awards

Staples High School seniors Manny Vouse and Tomaso Scotti, two of approximately 300 top Connecticut seniors who excel in the arts, were scheduled to be honored at the Connecticut Association of Schools High School Outstanding Arts Awards Banquet on April 7. The banquet, held annually at the Aqua Turf in Southington, was unfortunately canceled this year due to the Coronavirus outbreak. The CAS recognizes two seniors in each member high school for their outstanding ability in the performing and visual arts. Selected by Staples staff to receive this honor, Vouse was recognized for music and Scotti for art. 

The Connecticut Association of Schools serves Connecticut's K-12 public and parochial schools in all areas of inter-school activity. The association represents over 1,100 schools in the state. The Connecticut Association of Schools is a non-profit organization located in Cheshire, Connecticut.

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Musicians Selected for All-State Festival in Hartford

Although the April 2, 2020 All-State Festival has been canceled, the following students were chosen to attend. Pictured L to R: Maya Vogelmann, vocal, Treble Chorus; Janna Moore, bass, All-State Orchestra; Samantha Taylor, trombone, All- State Band; Neha Nevrange, viola, All-State Orchestra; Zachary Bishop, viola, All-State Orchestra; Will DeRocco, viola, All-State Orchestra. *Not pictured: James Holmes, percussion, All-State Band

Staples Receives Top Prize at Darien Jazz Jamboree

Friday, March 6, the Staples Jazz Ensemble was awarded first place at the seventh annual Darien High School Jazz Jamboree. Ten area jazz ensembles participated in the event, which was adjudicated by UCONN jazz faculty members Earl MacDonald and John Mastroianni. The SJE received consistently high marks in all captions, including perfect scores for Time as well as
Presentation/Programming from both adjudicators. Mastroianni described the rhythm section as “burning” and commended the ensemble for playing
“a difficult program very well. That goes for everyone.” The two adjudicators awarded an Outstanding Musicianship Award to junior drummer Dylan Goodman, who was heavily featured on the band’s closing number.
The ensemble received a total score of 186 out of a possible 200 points split among 8 captions, and while the top three bands were separated by just five points, Staples received minimal deductions. “When we finished our performance, it felt like it was the best we had played all year” expressed Phil Giampietro, who is in his first year as director of bands at Staples. “To me, that feeling is the most important takeaway from this event. I know that performing at such a high level is important to the students as well, and they are incredibly excited to be recognized for all their hard work. Considering the level of musicianship being displayed by the other bands at the festival, our students should feel very proud.”
 

The Westport Music Department’s Vision is to develop our students’ artistic literacy and global awareness by growing their ability to create, perform and respond to diverse music at the highest level in a safe and nurturing environment.