The World School, Schools Supporting Schools: BHS Students Perform Benefit Concert For Humanitarian Trip

The World School, Schools Supporting Schools, a local student-run aid organization, is pleased to announce a fundraising Talent Show to benefit their planned humanitarian aid trip to Mexico and Belize for two weeks this summer. The performance will take place at 7:00 pm on Friday, April 15, 2011, in the Fogelberg Performing Arts Center of Burlington High School.


The benefit performance will feature Burlington High School students who will donate their time and talents in vocal, dance, improv and rock band performances. Performers include Face the World, Emerson, Eric Leva, Julianne Fitzgerald, Katie Pustizzi, Patrick Hanafin, Theo Brierley, Samantha Goober, Zaven Ovian, the Burlington High School Idle Hands Improv and the SDC Dancers.

The World School is a student-run service group that was created in 2008 when three local area students brainstormed following mission trips to Chuburna, Mexico. Appalled by the Chuburna facilities and the conditions the children faced on a daily basis, they came to the realization that the foundation to helping the impoverished on a long-term basis lies in education, and the best way to help a school was through a school.

Adopting the old proverb, “Give a man a fish, he eats for a night, teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime,” the young students travelled to a school in the Yucatanian fishing village to improve its appalling conditions by refurbishing classrooms, setting up a library and providing two generously donated laptop computers. That school, La Escuela Primera 373 Salvador Alvarado, became the pilot school for this dedicated group of young American students. This year's students who will make the journey are Jenna Frank, Cameron Frank, Christyl Skelton, Stephen Jefferson and Sarah McAnespie.

Tickets for The World School Talent Showcase benefit performance are $6 for students and senior citizens, $8 for adults, and can be purchased at the door or by calling 781-272-9724. Fogelberg Performing Arts Center is handicapped accessible. Burlington High School is located at 123 Cambridge Street, Burlington, MA. For more information on this student-run aid organization, visit www.TheWorldSchool.info.

"Beauty and the Beast" set to open this weekend!

Tale as old as time...True as it can be
Barely even friends...Then somebody bends...Unexpectedly


Burlington High School’s production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” opens this Friday and it will have just as much excitement and buzz in the air as a Broadway opening. The production is filled with fabulous sets, costumes bursting with creativity and color, a full professional orchestra and a huge cast of tremendously talented kids who have spent hours in rehearsal to bring this show to life!

It's safe to say that this is one for the books as we are breaking records with each day that passes. Can you believe that there are over 120 students in the cast and crew and over 20 parent volunteers and staff members who are providing support behind the scenes?

Ticket sales are ahead of any show ever produced at BHS, resulting in the addition of a sixth performance. In just a few short years we’ve stepped it up so our total audience capacity will now be over 4800! It's pretty safe to say that the BHS spring musical is the “social event of the year!”

Finally, this production will include some special surprises that will break through the imaginary fourth wall of the stage without using one ounce of technology! It is a production that will go down in Burlington High School history!

The students who are participating in “Beauty and the Beast” are terrific kids who come from every grade level and ability just to be part of the spring musical phenomenon. The cast members are Kerry Alexander, Nicole Barnard, Kayleigh Barrucci, Teresa Belmonte, Emily Bertolami, Genevieve Brown, Sarah Burnham, Danielle Calder, Allie Campbell, Allison Cassidy, Natasha Chatterjee, Cecilia Chiang, Chris Coe, Gina Conti, Marissa Cote, Scott Czerwinski, Jill Daniels, Stephanie Desrochers, Bianca DiGregorio, Cassandra DiGregorio, Daniel Feldman, Giovanna Fernandes and Julianne Fitzgerald. Also, Sarah Fleischmann, Geoffrey Fong, Michelle Gouveia, Jenna Frank, Michael Garcia, Eddie Gelberg, Stuart Gelin, Katrina Gilstrap, Gabriella Gonzalez, Samantha Goober, Christina Grattan, Jennifer Gregorio, Meghan Groom, Christina Hanafin, Patrick Hanafin, Amanda Harrigan, Justina Hiney, April Hooper and Samantha Hovasse.

Cast members also include Sarah Jamal-Eddine, Ashley Jones, Dora Kadish, Jill Keaney, Erin Kelley, Andrew Kolifrath, Becki Krupp, Michelle Lee, Katie Mackey, Kristin Markuson, Emily Martin, Alissa Mastracci, Yitzhak Maurer, Mikayla Merrill, , Krisi Miller, Nicollette Moodie, Jessica Morey, Emily Murgo, Rachel Murgo and Kayla Nadir. Finally, cast members include Krutika Nayak, Paul Neves, Allie Nille, Zaven Ovian, Kalpita Patel, Sabrina Pereira, Maria Perfetti, CC Pouche, Laura Reale, Hayley Ridley, Catie Riggs, Sam Rollins, Meaghan Roper, Amanda Roth, Maya Russell, Shane Ryan, Danielle Schissler, Kylie Scott, Rebecca Scott, Gabrielle Semeraro, Lexi Sheldon, Futaba Shioda, Andrew Silva, Nick Silva, Laura Simon-Pearson, Kelly Spinali, Stephanie Swiszcz, Adam Tigges, Sharleen Varghese, Jessica Villalta and Nick Zenkin.

The production crew members take their jobs seriously both backstage and in the booth, managing the sets, props, sound and lights. They are Victoria Carrabino, Jamie Cahoon, Edward Chilliest, Sam Cote, Priyanka Deb, Jonathan DiRusso, Christopher LaRocque, Devin LaRocque, Joe Nosack, Jess Olin, Sarah Parker, Jacinda Pederson, Sabrina Pederson, Joe Sateriale, Daryn Starkey and Nick Stewart.

It goes without saying that the creative team for this production is incredibly talented and they have such vision that it makes a monumental task look like childsplay! Leading the team and celebrating ten years of both musical productions and teaching at BHS is John Middleton-Cox (Producing Director, Co-Music Director). He is joined by Stephanie Diozzi (Assistant Director), Amanda Potts (Co-Music Director/Production Manager), Leanne Reardon (Choreographer), Peter Waldron (Set Designer), Chet Maguire (Crew Chief), Kate McMahon (Box Office Manager/Program Designer) and Maureen Tierson-Krebs (award-winning Costume Designer/Coordinator).

Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” is not just another kid’s show… it reminds us about what’s important in life and how the power of love can be transforming. We hope all of Burlington will “Be our Guest” this weekend or next, and find out why audiences around the world have made it a smash hit and an international sensation!

Tickets are still available for all performance but don't wait! Performances will take place in the Fogelberg Performing Arts Center, 123 Cambridge Street, Burlington, MA. Performances are on March 25, 26 and April 1 @ 7:30 pm; April 2 @ 2:00 and 7:30 pm; April 3 @ 2:00 pm. Visit http://www.burlingtontickets.org/. For more information phone 781-A-FUN-TIC! Adults: $15, Students/Sr. Citizens: $10. Handicapped accessible.

All-Town Band Concert: Oh What A Night!



A view of the elementary and middle school student performers

 What a fabulous night we had on Thursday, March 10, when every band student in the Burlington Public Schools took part in the 2nd Annual All-Town Band Concert, a concert featuring students in combined performances by grade level from the elementary schools (Fox Hill, Francis Wyman, Pine Glen and Memorial), Marshall Simonds Middle School and Burlington High School.


A capacity crowd of families in the bleachers





The event was held in the gymnasuim at BHS, the only facility in the district large enough to hold over 1400 people, including over 400 student performers and well over 1,000 in the bleachers..

Directors Peabody, Middleton-Cox, Kerley, Napierkowski, Potts,
Bolduc and Lovell.

 Spearheaded by BHS' Matt Lovell as a view of the development of our students and the progression of the program through their public school lives, the music teachers and directors from all schools were instrumental in the planning and also participated in directing the individual groups as well as the combined piece at the end.

The program featured the Combined Fourth Grade Bands, directed by Mark Napierkowski and Lindsey Peabody, in "Mary Ann," "Shoo Fly," "Donkey Round" and "Surprise Symphony" (arranged by O'Reilly and Williams). The Combined Fifth Grade Bands, directed by Mark Napierkowski and Lindsey Peabody, performed "Ayre and Dance" by Bruce Pearson, and "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by Weiss, Peretti, Creatore (arranged by Story).

A view of 4th and 5th grade band students (front) and
MSMS students (rear)


Marshall Simonds Middle School was represented by the Concert Band, directed by Amanda Potts, in "La Rajouissance" by G.F. Handel (arranged by Mark Williams) and "When I'm Sixty-Four" by Lennon and McCartney (arranged by Eric Osterling). The MSMS Symphonic Band, directed by Jeffrey Bolduc, played highlights from "Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory" by Bricusse and Newley (arranged by Robert Longfield), and "The Stars and Stripes Forever" by J.P. Sousa (arranged by Andrew Balent).


The BHS Concert Band in performance



To complete the individual band performances, the BHS Concert Band, directed by Matt Lovell, performed "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing" by Stevie Wonder (arranged by Jay Bocook), and "Something" by George Harrison (arranged by Richard Saucedo).

Finally, the evening ended with the combined bands performing "Ode to Joy," by Ludwig von Beethoven (arranged by Jeffrey Bolduc). The performance was a special treat for everyone as it included all grades in performance with all the directors leading the piece in tandem. A spectacular finale, indeed!


Post-concert directors' celebration. Music Boosters hats off to
all the teachers and students!

Thanks to all who support music in our schools. A special thanks to the Burlington Public Schools custodians for their assistance in making the evening possible.

BHS Hosts 2nd annual All-Town Band Concert this Thursday

A view from the top of last year's All-Town Band concert.

Burlington High School will be the host for the All-Town Band Concert this Thursday in the high school gymnasium. The concert will begin at 7:00 pm.

The performance will feature the entire instrumental music program of the Burlington Public Schools featuring fourth and fifth graders from all elementary school band programs as well as the middle and high school bands. The second annual concert of this type in Burlington, it has been anticipated by parents, students and our music educators as a vehicle for instruction as well as an accomplishment to be long remembered.

Water will be sold by the BHS Music Boosters and student members of the Select Singers as a fundraiser for the trip to Carnegie Hall

We look forward to packing the bleachers to the top!

Disney's Beauty and the Beast well on way to break all records!

The Burlington High School production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is breaking records already! Ticket sales are leading every single show Burlington has ever produced, necessitating a second matinee show on Saturday, April 2 at 2:00 pm so everyone will have an opportunity to catch the best Disney stage show ever.

The sets are nearly finished, the costumes are getting their final touches and every last line is now being polished. Here are a few pictures to help you visualize what our final product will be:

Tickets for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast can be purchased at www.BurlingtonTickets.org. For more information call 781-A-FUN-TIC.

The Burlington High School Select Singers are sponsoring a lia sophia Calendar Raffle to help fund their trip to Carnegie Hall at the end of April.

The Calendar is filled with goodies from the lia sophia line, an extremely fashionable and affordable way to accessorize your wardrobe. Amy Goober, lia sophia consultant and chair of the fundraiser, has filled each day of the calendar with not only jewelry but also goods from local businesses.

The price of each calendar is $10 and the account of the Select Singers member who is responsible for the sale will be credited. Each ticket purchased has 30 chances to win!

For more information contact the BHS Music Boosters at bhsmusicboostersassn@gmail.com.

Success comes in threes! Fundraising for Select Singers

The BHS Music Boosters are proud to announce that the members of the Select Singers had some grand success this past week in raising funds for their upcoming trip to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York.

The first of these fundraisers was "The Best Night Ever," a casual showcase of the Select Singers in solo and ensemble pieces. The students ran the show including the selections, the rehearsing, the hosting, you name it. Thanks to the lens of Shirley Fong, here are a few photos that will give you an idea of how wonderful the evening was.





The second of the three fundraisers was Youth Movie Night, held on Saturday between 6 and 9 pm. Parents of Burlington children from ages 5-13 were given an opportunity to drop their kids off for a babysitting night while they had time to themselves...held just before Valentines Day for that special night out! The kids played games, won prizes, and watched Disney's "Toy Story 3."

Finally, the third fundraiser was sponsored by Mike Fay and the New England Tenors during their dinner show at Ashworth by the Sea at Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. A special friend and supporter of Burlington music, Fay provided another fundraising opportunity by appealing to their packed audience on Sunday evening to make a donation to the Select Singers. This unexpected and generous opportunity has boosted our fundraising endeavors tremendously.

That's it for now. Stay tuned...next fundraiser will be the Calendar Raffle featuring Lia Sophia jewelry and a month's worth of great chances for $10.