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Schools

Students Spring Into Musical Showcases

Westfield public school students perform musical selections during spring concert series.

Spring is here in Westfield, bringing about school students performing in musical showcases during the months of April, May and June.

With a total of 19 scheduled shows, these performance opportunities give students from the elementary schools through the high school a chance to showcase their talent. The concert series features a variety of student performances, such as the Westfield High School chamber orchestra and symphony orchestra, on May 14, to the Elem Strings, which featured students from Franklin, Washington and Wilson Schools, on May 20.

The Board of Education’s fine arts department has been working to remain supportive of students by providing increased opportunities for town residents to see their performances. Linda King, the fine arts supervisor, believes that the "shows are tremendous here" and stressed that students in all grade levels have been doing well.

On May 28th, the fifth grade students at Washington Elementary performed "Pirates!" a spring concert formatted as a mini-musical. This allowed the students to perform musical selections, as well as learning to memorize lines, remember staging and perform in costume.

The gym was decorated with themes from the show, to let the audience feel as if they were transformed. Wendy Woodfield, the school’s music director said the program allowed students to share their musical talents while gaining public speaking skills.

“The kids did a great job,” said Andrew Perry, Washington’s principal.

The Roosevelt Intermediate School's Spring Band Festival on June 1, directed by Charles H. May, was split into sections: with bands from each of the three grades along with a jazz band. The program included a mix of music, ranging from traditional band to cultural, patriotic and popular culture.

Seventh graders performed "Anchors Aweigh" by Charles A. Zimmerman, as a dedication to the veterans in attendance. The program also featured solo and small group opportunities, as well as a few songs by the jazz band that was self-conducted.

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