A Best Communities for Music Education recipient since 2013
A Best Communities for Music Education recipient since 2013
FACULTY
FACULTY
A Best Communities for Music Education recipient
since 2013
STAPLES MUSIC
Staples High School, Westport CT
Please refer to this website throughout the school year for updated information about events & performances.
JAN 13-14 Western Region HS Festival
Greenwich High School
JAN 22 Aloha Cabaret Benefit
6:30 pm, Westport Library
JAN 26 Jazz and Java
7:00 pm, SHS Cafeteria
FEB 4 All-State Auditions
9:00am, Ridgefield HS
MAR 30-APR 1 All-State Festival
8:00pm, Hartford Convention Center
LATEST NEWS
No Orphenians Left Behind: International Lua of Song Festival June '23
In June 2023, 42 members of the Staples High School Orphenians renowned and elite choral ensemble plan to travel to Hawaii for the International Luau of Song Choral Festival! In order to make this possible for every member of the ensemble, we need to raise a minimum of $15,000 and we need your help! Under the “No Person Left Behind” belief, the Orphenians, in conjunction with the Staples Music Parents Association (SMPA) want to ensure every student can participate, regardless of financial circumstances.
Click the link above to find out more details and how you can help.
Another Wonderful Holiday Season of Music!
Thank you to everyone who made the 82nd Candlelight Concert possible and so special this year! From our amazing parent organization (SMPA), advertisers, sound techs, videographers, photographers, concert goers, donors to most of all our gifted student musicians!
SHS Music wishes you and yours a happy and healthy holiday season!
Candlelight Youth Concert a Hit!
Elementary grades 3-5 and grade 8 students across the district enjoyed their own Candlelight Concert Dec. 21 & 22. On display outside the auditorium were pieces of winter themed artwork created by elementary students, that they enjoyed seeing as they entered the venue.
ARKAI Conducts Workshops with Orchestra Students
ARKAI will conduct a two-day residency program with Staples High School Orchestras in October.
ARKAI is a dynamic duo featuring violinist Jonathan Miron and cellist Philip Sheegog. Winners of the 2021 Astral Artists National Auditions, their diverse genre-bending music forges new possibilities for violin and cello. Miron and Sheegog met at Juilliard where they joined forces to conduct performances at acclaimed concert halls around the world.
Their workshops will include performances interspersed with inspirational talks exploring concepts of life as 21st-century performing artists, finding one’s creative voice through curiosity, listening as an art, and sharing tips on using music technology within a diverse and rapidly-evolving world. Additional workshops will be interactive, including playing one of ARKAI's original tunes with the orchestras and introducing aural learning and improvisation.
This program, coordinated by Music for Youth, is brought to Staples High School by the Town of Westport through an allocation of a portion of its American Rescue Plan Act funding to local non-profits arts organizations. The Westport Art Advisory Committee organized the application process.
SHS Musicians Receive National Honors!
Two music department students have received All-National honors! In November, Delaney McGee (trumpet) and Witt Lindau (drums) will both be participating in the National Association for Music Education honors orchestra and "modern band" (rock band) respectively. In order to be eligible, both students needed to have already earned All State honors, and then were selected by video audition from the top student musicians across the country.
Additionally, Jason Capozucca (bassoon), Ana Jahnel (tenor saxophone) and Kendra Cheng (violin) were selected as alternates.
Shout Out to Mr. G, Recognized by ASBDA
The American School Band Directors Association acknowledged and nominated our own Mr. Giampietro as a candidate for membership. The prestigious ASBDA promotes distinction in leadership, mentorship and musicianship and recognizes excellence in teaching.
SHS Tri-M, New Year, New Website
The SHS Tri-M Music Honor Society, an honor society of student musicians, is ready for new challenges this year and launches a new website to keep students informed of the latest happenings. President Julia Herlyn and Advisor Ms Mascaro are excited for what this year has in store. Check out the new SHS Tri-M website at https://sites.google.com/view/staplestri-m/home.
Westport Public Schools Music Program Receives Best Community for Music Education Recognition
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.
HOPE FOR A BETTER FUTURE
Music has been a timeless way of communication when there were no other words to be said. It can have the power to heal, unify, and transcend all boundaries. It is now more than ever that we need to stay connected in order to listen and learn from each other.
Black Lives Matter.
We stand by our mission to prepare all students to reach their full potential as life-long learners and socially responsible contributors to our global community, yet we remain teachable ourselves in our efforts in order to fully promote that mission through and beyond the current and ongoing racial injustices.
We are proud to be a part of a national association that promotes equity and we stand united with you as the Staples Music community accepting of all of our differences in the hope for a better future.
We Are Listening.
Mr. Giampietro, Ms. Mascaro, Ms. Hockensmith,
Mr. Rosenberg, Mrs. Serpliss, Mr. Winters
National Association for Music Education Statement