Upcoming Events
Monday, June 17th
Snake Book Celebration 5:30 PM
Thursday, June 20th
Field Day
9 AM to 1 PM
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Conservatory Lab
25 Arlington Street
Brighton, MA 02315
617.254.8904
www.conservatorylab.org
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| Family Notes
May 24, 2013
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Dear Families,
Music casts a spell. It can call us to alarm, move us to tears, or tickle us into laughter. It can conjure feelings of love, gratitude, and pride, and it can stir us to action, changing the course of our lives.
Thursday's concert did all of these things. From the gnashing bows of Dragon Hunter and the shimmering strains of Ravel's Pavane to the light-hearted tootling of Looney Tunes, each musical delicacy was delivered with sincerity and style. For each ensemble and each musician, it was an afternoon of great emotion and celebration.
It was also an afternoon for farewells to talented and loving musicians and educators that are leaving our midst to go forward into their destinies.
As I reflect on the legacies these artists have left with us and our school I want to begin by commending the fierce passion and brilliant execution with which Rebecca Levi accomplished the structure, staffing and implementation of the El Sistema program. It is the most comprehensive articulation of El Sistema programs in the country and Rebecca's leadership is endemic to that success. It is to be noted that her students in KI and K-II as well as the Abreu Orchestra have felt the impact of her quest for excellence and will revel in the joy of it for a long, long time.
Another gem in our treasure trove is Levi Comstock; his multiple talents, creativity, versatility, flexibility, good humor and compassionate heart were felt throughout the school and provided a constancy and warmth at the core of our culture and community. A gifted writer, he made our Friday Family Notes a "must read" every week and as conductor of the Bernstein Orchestra he made that young group achieve musical milestones beyond their years.
As we bid farewell to Rebecca and Levi, just as the music which surrounds us, we are filled with love, gratitude and pride for all you have shared with us. Thank you.
Warmly,
Diana Lam
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Standing Room Only at Spring Concert
Appropriately, our second Spring Concert started with a
Fanfare. The Dudamel Brass Ensemble, led by Resident Artist Chris Schroeder, thrilled the audience with a Fanfare that took a surprising turn down Penny Lane. Next up, the combined Bernstein and Dudamel Percussion Ensemble, led by Resident Artist Tess Plotkin, had everyone bopping in their seats to Multitasker by R. Hicks. Then the Bernstein Wind Ensemble displayed their hard work and their musicianship with two numbers, selections from Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 and the very familiar and fun
Looney Tunes theme.
After a lovely transition musical selection performed by Alex Barstow on viola, the Bernstein Orchestra was ready to play. And wow did they play! The audience loved their first piece,
Habanera by Bizet and were on their feet at the end of the second, Dragon Hunter by Meyer. This piece is familiar to Conservatory Lab families as it was a favorite of the Dudamel Orchestra last year but this arrangement was a bit different, allowing for a brief and beautiful solo by Bryan Tran on violin. It is a true testament to the growth of these musicians and this orchestra under the direction of Conductor Levi Comstock that they could play such a challenging piece of music.
Ms. Plotkin brought the Percussion Ensemble out again to play
Cadence 3.0 by Campanelli and all were impressed with the students playing and the intricate staging of such a complicated piece as all the students moved from one instrument to another during the Cadence. The afternoon of music ended with three powerful performances by the Dudamel Orchestra led by Conductor Adrian Anantawan. After their lovely rendering of the Fourth Movement of Brahm's Symphony No. 1, Mr. Anantawan prepared the audience for a new piece the orchestra was debuting: Pavane pour une Infante Defunte, by Ravel, a lyrical piece the orchestra dedicated to all the students and staff to whom we must bid farewell at the end of this year. The concert ended with fan favorite Lord of the Rings by Howard Shore and again the audience was on their feet in appreciation for the work of all the musicians and resident artists. A triumphal end to the school year! Bravo!
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Make Your Mama Proud
Second graders took these words to heart, not only in the classroom but onstage as they conquered the goals of their expedition integrating engineering, literacy and science by producing a Broadway style performance entitled The Three Little Pigs - An Engineering Tale.
The action of the play focuses on thinking like an engineer: identify and solve problems (build a house strong enough to keep out those pesky wolves), sketch out a solution (what type of house), create it (best done with a team), test it (can the wolves blow it down?) reflecting on it ("should've bundled the straw") and doing it again until they get it just right (collaboration is key - sometimes even with those you thought were your enemies - the wolves).
The well-rehearsed performance by these fledgling Broadway babes along with the new music and action for this production gave this timeless tale a freshness and vivacity that all audience members could truthfully attest to the fact that all onstage "made their mamas proud!"
Artistic collaboration from Faculty, Resident Artists, theatre consultants and parents was as follows: book by Brendan Shea (from American Repertory Theater), Jovanne Buckmire and Katie Biro (who also directed the show); music and lyrics by Levi Comstock, set by Doug Bellow, music direction by Leah Hennessey and Kathleen Jara, musical accompaniment by Rebecca Levi.
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Under OUR Big Top
This past Tuesday evening marked the end of the third and final Unit of study for the K-1 Class... Under the Big Top. Families and friends were invited to watch the premiere of the production of the Little Big Top Circus and cheered as the children demonstrated poise, perseverance, joy, and skill in their chosen acts.
Though fun was a natural bi-product of this theme, the children were ultimately working toward several academic, emotional, and physical goals. The K-1 Class learned about action words, showmanship, team work, and dedication to improvement. The audience saw clowns being silly, hula hoopists twirling rings, and ponies prancing, but what was behind those acts were children talking about what it takes to make someone laugh, children persevering through the failure of dropped rings, and children learning about balance and practice. We couldn't have been more proud of the magic shared... UNDER THE BIG TOP!
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Ms. Gampel Honored at the State House
Governor Deval Patrick joined Commissioner Mitchell Chester and other state education officials, legislators and teachers at the State House on Thursday June 13th to recognize recipients of the state's top honors for educators.
Our own Jenna Gampel was a finalist for the Massachusetts Great Teacher of the Year Award. This process annually recognizes excellence in teachers across the state by selecting the teacher who "exemplifies the dedication, commitment, and positive contribution of educators statewide". On a daily basis, in her classroom, Ms. Gampel demonstrates an outstanding and measurable commitment to student achievement, excellent communication skills, professionalism, and leadership.
As was noted by one of the dignitaries at the awards ceremony at the Sate House "At the end of the day, it's the teachers in the classroom that make the difference."
Thank you for all you provide to your students and Congratulations!
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Shutterfly Share Site Updated
We have had so many school events, it's hard to keep track of them all! We are in the process of adding photos to the schoolwide Shutterfly share site, www.conservatorylab.shutterfly.com, and you will find many new albums are already up. Use the link above and the password music to see photos from our June 1st Showcase and other celebrations.
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