A NIGHT OF HOLIDAY MUSIC TO WARM THE HEART

The BHS Music Department will present its annual Holiday Concert this Thursday at 7:30 PM in the Fogelberg Auditorium. Performing on the concert will be the BHS Concert and Jazz Bands under the direction of Matt Lovell, and the BHS Chorus and Select Chorus under the direction of John Middleton-Cox.

In addition to their performance on Thursday, both the BHS Chorus and Select Chorus have been out and about in Burlington presenting their holiday music to enthusiastic groups of Burlington residents. They have recently performed for the Burlington Breakfast Rotary Club, the Burlington Senior Center, Atria Longmeadow and will also be a featured group at the Burlington Mall.

Don’t miss the concert this Thursday. It promises to be a wonderful evening of music that will bring the warmth of the season to all who attend.

REMEMBER:

The season is always filled with cheer,
When BHS Music is near!

ODE TO A BAND DIRECTOR

Something awesome happened last night at the Burlington/Watertown football game. It was fourth quarter, the Red Devils were leading and the ball was in our possession and out of nowhere came the melody of a familiar song . . .
Na-na-na-na, Na-na-na-na, Hey, hey, goodbye . . .

For most, it was just the background sound of a couple of band members picking out the notes of a song, something not uncommon because the BHS kids do love to discover new songs on their instruments. Upon closer inspection, however, marching band director Matt Lovell was in middle of the players and melody. Next thing we knew he was calling out to change something to an “E flat,” then jumped back, closed his eyes tight, fingers writing something in the air, head bobbing back and forth. Section by section he worked out each part. Oh my gosh, is he spontaneously creating this arrangement in his head and then teaching it on the spot?

Indeed he was. What a treat this was to witness. Mr. Lovell, a teacher who is obviously passionate about music and his students, was in the midst of creating and implementing a lesson plan!

Much has been written about education and how technology is moving so fast that we will probably never get ahead of it. But honestly, sometimes there is nothing like old fashioned learning. Burlington parents are thrilled that our schools support and embrace music education with teachers who go beyond the call, providing unlimited opportunity for our students to learn and thrive.

Mr. Lovell often sings the praises of our students who are, and always have been, a creative and talented bunch. But with the lesson of last night’s arrangement, it’s no wonder. You know what they say . . . The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.