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A Note from Donna
The staff, board and families of Apple Tree Arts wish to thank the Grafton Board of Selectmen for voting positively for our 30-year lease to the second and third floors of the Grafton Town House. Now we can move in greater confidence to secure private funding for the remaining funds needed to complete the accessibility phase of the restoration project and the interior restoration of the Great Hall! We are thrilled about the opportunity to work with town officials to restore this beautiful building. Several classes are already scheduled to meet at the Town House this summer. We are working with skilled consultants and a wide array of wonderful volunteers to create a unique destination for music and theatre for the greater Grafton area. Watch for our campaign to begin in the spring of 2012 that will "Create Community and Culture on the Common!"
Donna Blanchard, Executive Director |
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$100,000 Grant Supports Our Town House Vision
If you build it they will come, the saying goes -- but if "they" can't climb stairs, how can "they" get in to enjoy the arts events being offered there? You have to make the building accessible -- and that's the focus of the next phase of the Grafton Town House Restoration project being undertaken by Apple Tree Arts and the Town of Grafton.
I am delighted to announce that a private foundation has recently committed $100,000 to the $89,000 already awarded to Apple Tree Arts by the Massachusetts Historical Commission to fund the accessibility work. This confidence in our vision for the restoration of the Grafton Town House as a performing arts center for the greater Grafton community cannot be overstated.
Through the Grafton Town House Oversight Committee, the Town of Grafton has hired Mill City Construction Company of Lincoln, RI to begin work on the first phase of the accessibility project, including construction of a ramp in front of the building, elevation of the portico floor, restoration of the portico roof, flashings and gutters, exterior painting of wood trim, and restoration of the front door. Pre-construction meetings have been held with the architect (Dixon Salo of Worcester), the preservation planner from the Massachusetts Historical Commission, tenants of the Grafton Town House, and town officials. Construction on the front of the building will begin on June 6.
Apple Tree Arts continues to work on securing funding from cultural organizations and private funding sources for the remainder of the accessibility phase of the project, which will include completion of a ramp at the back of the building, construction of handicapped-accessible toilets, the addition of ADA compliant automatic door openers and sidewalk improvements. We are currently applying for a large grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund to make all that happen. Stay tuned!
Paul Scarlett, President, Board of Directors |
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Don't Miss These Two Great Shows!
It's showtime this weekend at Apple Tree Arts -- come join us!
Today, Friday, May 20, 7 pm, "A Little Princess." A talented group of 18 young adults in middle and high school will present "A Little Princess," a delightful classic play that takes in Victorian England. The show opens tonight at Grafton High School.
Tomorrow, Saturday, May 21, 7 pm, The Apple Tree Arts Show Choir. Who says you have to watch "Glee" on TV? "A Glee Performance" will hit the stage at Grafton High School, featuring 17 young adults in middle and high school harmonizing and dancing as soloists and in small and large group ensembles while performing ten pop tunes.
Performers in both shows come from Grafton, Shrewsbury, Westborough, Northbridge, Douglas, and Millbury. Tickets are available at the door -- $5 for adults, $3 for students and seniors. |
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Summer is HOT at Apple Tree Arts
Classes are filling FAST for our summer programs, so sign up soon to reserve your place. Call or click for details.
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Early Childhood Music Earns Another Award
"All children are musical," says Apple Tree Arts Education Director Jan Barlow, announcing the Exemplary Program Award we've again won from Musikgarten, the nationally-acclaimed music education program for children. It is our long-standing commitment to children and to holistic music education that has caught Musikgarten's eye.
When music and movement are a natural, joyous part of childhood, Jan explains, children benefit greatly in many areas of life. "Movement and music activities are perfect for child development," she says. "Music immerses the child in language, evokes movement, stimulates the brain, and fosters physical coordination -- all in a group setting that builds community." What's not to like about all that?
Apple Tree Arts is once again sponsoring Musikgarten's renowned week-long early childhood music teacher training program -- from June 26 - July 1 at One Grafton Common. Call Jan or visit www.musikgarten.org for more information. |
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Celebrate Spring!
What better way to celebrate spring than to support Apple Tree Arts' efforts to "Connect Culture and Community on the Common"! It's not too late to respond to our spring appeal -- your continuing support is very much needed and will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
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Apple Tree Arts, One Grafton Common,
P.O. Box 75, Grafton, MA 01519
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Our cast of 33 second through fifth graders were spotted having great fun at their performance of "Disney's 101 Dalmations Kids" at Southgate Retirement Community in Shrewsbury last March. |
"Eliza" and the two "Tuptims" modeling their colorful costumes after their masterful performance of "The King and I" with 27 other fifth through twelfth graders in January. |
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Lots of fun and laughs were offered up by 15 students in grades 3-5 at their performance of the one-act comedy, "Law & Order: Nursery Rhyme Unit" at Grafton Elementary School this April. |
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Seventeen young cast members from Grafton, Shrewsbury, Northbridge, Whitinsville, Oxford, Millbury, and Dudley came together to tell the story of what happened when "The Bear Went Over the Mountain" last April in Whitinsville. |
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"My son and I thrive on the level of creativity, discipline, and artistic expression that Apple Tree Arts offers us." |
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The Apple Tree Arts Community Chorus presented a delightful selection of American music at its May concert, including this one -- "Mountain Music." |
Donna Blanchard (center) posed with members of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce after accepting the award for the "best non-profit booth" at the annual Home & Business Expo this spring in Whitinsville. |
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COMING EVENTS!
May 22 -- Student Recitals, Congregational Church of Grafton
June 5 -- Student Recitals,
Congregational Church of Grafton
June 26 - July 1 --
Musikgarten Teacher Training Program, One Grafton Common
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OUR MISSION
The mission of Apple Tree Arts is to enrich the community through the arts, by providing high-quality educational music and theatre arts programs for individuals of all ages. |
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