The BHS Marching Band will take part in Burlington’s annual Memorial Day commemoration beginning at 9 am with “Taps” on the Burlington Common. The morning performance will continue when the students take their place at Chestnut Hill Cemetery alongside town officials, Burlington veterans and honored guest speakers for the formal commemoration. Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who died in service to the United States of America.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868, by General John A. Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. Originally known as Decoration Day it was for the Union and Confederate soldiers who died during the Civil War. After World War I, it became a holiday to honor all men and women who died in service.

Memorial Day is a much-anticipated performance displaying the fine talents of the students while exhibiting their respect for those men and women who have given their lives to serve this country. We hope everyone will be present to observe the day.

KATE meets AUDREY II!

It is with great excitement that Burlington Educational Summer Theatre unveils its new graphics for the BEST Teens production of "Little Shop of Horrors." The graphics will appear on all print work and advertising for the production.

Designed by Kate McMahon, secretary for the music department at Burlington High School, the artwork is an image of AUDREY II, the man-eating plant and main "character" in this spoof on '50s sci-fi movies. She drew much of it freehand, gave life to the image with colored pencil, scanned it and "posterized" it with Photoshop.

Kate holds a BS in Art from Northeastern University. In recent years she has lent her artistic talents to completing special effects painting on sets for BHS productions. She is also responsible for the graphics and layout for all printed programs for the productions and music department as well.

Thank you, Kate. You are a treasure chest of talent for the music department staff!

Eric Leva's Original Song "The Box"

Carolyn Kelly's original song (untitled) performed with Katie Campbell a...

We are proud of our seniors...Good luck in your musical futures!

Today was the senior breakfast at BHS. It is a tradition to have a "talent show." The preceding two videos are from the Mr. Larkin's blog...hope you enjoy them!

We will miss all our wonderful seniors. It has been an extraordinary year.

CHECK OUT NEW MUSIC BLOGS

There are two new blogs to add to your favorites this morning, relating to BHS music and theatre. Check these out:

www.burlingtonmusic.wordpress.com

www.burlingtontickets.wordpress.com

Also, if you are on facebook, check out the newest page:

Burlington Educational Summer Theatre

Don't forget to suggest the page to all your friends. We presently have 18 followers, we'd love to have 1800!

SINGING THE PRAISES OF VOCAL LAB

The Burlington High School Music Department will host its fourth Vocal Lab Recital tonight in two years since its introduction last year. The recital begins at 7:30 pm in the Chorus Room of BHS.

Vocal Lab, a class taught by John Middleton-Cox, is an opportunity for students to learn proper breathing and vocal technique while at the same time expanding their repertoire. Tonight’s program will include fifteen students who have prepared their performance pieces over the past semester.

Families and friends are invited to attend. The event is free of charge.

The BEST shows in Burlington again!

Burlington Public Schools is pleased to announce that Burlington Educational Summer Theatre (BEST), a theatre program for local students, will return this summer with two exciting musical favorites this June and July.

“Little Shop of Horrors” will be presented on Friday, June 25 at 7:30 pm, and Saturday, June 26 at 2:00 and 7:30 pm by the BEST Teens program. The story of a clumsy florist shop worker who finds his chance at success and love with the help of a man-eating plant, “Little Shop” is a high energy rock-and-roll spoof of ‘50s sci-fi movies that will have you rockin’ in your seats!

“Alice in Wonderland, Jr.,” will be presented on Saturday, July 24 at 2:00 and 7:00 pm by the BEST Kid’s program. A family classic, it will delight young and old in this lively stage adaptation with updated dialogue and new arrangements of such classic Disney songs as “I’m Late,” “The Un-birthday Song” and “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah.”

Burlington Educational Summer Theatre offers an educational summer theatre experience for students in the Burlington Public Schools. Under the guidance of BEST Executive Director John Middleton-Cox, the production staff for BEST Kids includes Jeanne Coroniti as Artistic and Music Director, Jamie Jaffe as Production Director and Leanne Reardon as Choreographer. Middleton-Cox will return as Artistic and Co-Music Director for BEST Teens with staff members Amanda Potts as Co-Music Director and Brad Jenson as Assistant Director and Choreographer. Returning this year are professional set designer Peter Waldron and award-winning costume designer Maureen Krebs.

Reserved seating tickets for both BEST productions are $15 for adults, $10 for students and senior citizens. Tickets may be purchased at http://www.burlingtontickets.org/. For more information, phone 781-A-FUN-TIC.

Performances will be held in the 800-seat, fully air-conditioned Fogelberg Auditorium of Burlington High School, 123 Cambridge Street, Burlington, MA. Fogelberg Auditorium is handicapped accessible.

BHS CHORUS ON ROAD AGAIN TO GREAT EAST

As mentioned in our previous blog entry, the Burlington High School Choruses will be travelling to Agawam Massachusetts this Friday, May 14, to participate in the Great East Festival. Departing from the school at approximately 10 am, the students along with conductor John Middleton-Cox will perform at 12:30. Following their performance and adjudication, the chorus members will hop back on their buses and head to Six Flags Amusement Park for an afternoon of fun.

Prior to their departure the BHS Chorus members will be presented with newly designed t-shirts as a gift from the Music Boosters Association. Designed by fellow music student Daryn Starkey, the t-shirts will set our students apart from the rest!

Congratulations to the BHS singers on a successful year and a special thanks to Daryn Starkey for the great t-shirt design!

GREAT PERFORMANCES AS THE YEAR DRAWS TO A CLOSE

The school year is nearly done and as we roll through May there are some wonderful Music Department performances to mark on your calendars.

The Burlington High School Music Department will present the BHS Spring Concert this Thursday, May 6, at 7:30 pm in the Fogelberg Auditorium. This concert will be the final performance of the year for all the ensembles of Burlington High School. The performance will feature the BHS Concert Band and Jazz Band under the direction of Matt Lovell and the BHS Chorus and Select Chorus under the direction on John Middleton-Cox. The concert will be especially poignant for seniors who will be graduating in one month, taking with them the memories of a year filled with extraordinary performances.

On May 14 the members of the BHS Chorus will be taking their annual journey to Agawam, Massachusetts where they will participate in the Great East Festival. Although not considered to be a competition, the festival will provide an opportunity for the chorus to be adjudicated by a panel of judges and have always walked away with top honors. Following their participation in the festival is their visit to Six Flags, a day of fun for all.

On May 31, the BHS Marching Band will take part in Burlington’s annual Memorial Day commemoration beginning at 9 am with “Taps” on the Burlington Common. The morning performance will continue when the students take their place at Chestnut Hill Cemetery alongside town officials, Burlington veterans and honored guest speakers. It is a much-anticipated performance displaying the fine talents of the students while exhibiting their respect for those men and women who have given their lives to serve this country.

BHS graduation will take place at 2:00 pm on Sunday, June 6. Members of the BHS Concert Band will be seated on the field, participating in the annual rite of passage with their performance of Pomp and Circumstance, the Star Spangled Banner and their salutes to graduating seniors from the band.

The vocal music students of the Music Department (and a few friends) will present Spring Sing, a showcase of solo and ensemble performances, on June 9, at 7:30 pm. The BHS Chorus will open the program, followed by an entertaining assortment of songs from a wide variety of musical styles and genres.

Finally, the Music Awards Banquet will be held on June 10 in the cafeteria of the high school. This annual event pays tribute to each and every student of the band and chorus as they complete a very full year of performances. We'll keep you posted on the details as the event nears.

All the performances will be open to the public and free of charge. More information on the Music Awards Banquet will be provided to families of the students at a later date.