Submitted by Monica Tesler on behalf of the Hingham Music Parents Association
Shortly before winter break, families and friends gathered in the Hingham High School auditorium and waited in anticipation as the musicians crowded to the front and filled the stage. Tiny lights twinkled, accenting bows and foreshadowing the finale. With the flourish of batons, the room burst to life as the combined bands and orchestra joined forces for a powerful final song. When the resonance of the last note faded, the audience was on its feet with cheers and applause. It was a cathartic moment, one long in the making. Music was back in Hingham.
The winter show wasn’t the first performance by the music programs during the 2021-2022 school year, but it was a powerful one. In fact, all of the performances this year have been moving, filled with excitement and delight that our students are once again able to perform together. “One of the real joys of participating in a performing ensemble is sharing the results of your efforts with a live audience,” noted Brian Cincotta, Band Director for grades seven through twelve, “After more than a year away, we’re so fortunate to be able to rediscover that experience in such a meaningful way.”
Last year, with significant Covid restrictions in place, much of the music instruction was conducted remotely. “None of our students voluntarily signed up for music over Zoom and it’s a testament to them and our excellent music faculty that they were able to continue to develop their skills and appreciation for the art form in this unfamiliar setting,” said Mr. Cincotta. Despite incredible efforts by faculty and students alike, practicing remotely is simply not the same as making music together in person. Describing chorus before the pandemic, junior Mark MacLellan explained how the group was “in sync” because they were able to practice together. Mark, currently a member of Mixed Chorus with Dr. Joseph Young, continued, “Not being together during Covid as well as not singing together resulted in the loss of a number of experiences.”
Now those losses are in the rearview, and while performances are always a highlight, students in the band, orchestra, and chorus programs are happy for the chance to make music with their peers during the school day. No matter the age, music gives a boost, and music education is an excellent tool for social-emotional learning. “Having band during the day gives me a much needed break from the rest of my classes. I feel like I can relax and just enjoy music,” said Connor Anderson, a freshman in the Wind Ensemble. That sentiment was echoed by senior Helen Kahn, a member of Mixed Chorus: “Having music during my school day is a nice break from academic work . . . I get to do what I love and I get to have fun singing with a kind group of people.”
One of the highlights of the music program continues to be its faculty. Senior Emma Buckley shared that Phaedre Sassano, Orchestra Director for grades seven through twelve, is one of her favorite teachers. “Freshman Orchestra was such a great way to transition up to high school,” she said, “I got to spend the first hour of every day with friends.” Similarly, junior AJ Rubel remembered how Mr. Cincotta welcomed him into the band program when he was new to Hingham, and he praised his teacher for “creating a safe and accepting community that embraces music and one another.”
This past fall, the band students got a bonus faculty member. Rosemary Hoitt, a senior at Ithaca College majoring in music education, joined the program first term as Mr. Cincotta’s student teacher. Describing Ms. Hoitt as a “terrific musician” with a “bright future in the profession,” Mr. Cincotta noted that Ms. Hoitt made “a real effort to get to know the students and community” and that everyone “benefited from her focus, professionalism and positivity.” She had an equally positive impact on the students, engendering a strong ovation during the winter concert and a moving tribute from junior Chris Rulli.
There is much music to look forward to in the second half of the school year, with a great lineup of performances across the grade levels. The chorus program has a Talent Expo coming up in March featuring songs from the Beatles. Both the orchestra and bands are soon holding All- Town concerts which bring students together across grades and schools. The band concert has a Disney theme this year, which promises to delight spectators of all ages. At the end of January, the high school held its first open mic with stellar performances such as a moving duet between juniors Lily Andrey and Nick Germain, a jaw-dropping classical guitar piece by senior Tetor Nghiem, and a much anticipated performance by high school principal Rick Swanson and teacher Phil Struzziero. The school intends to make the open mic an annual tradition.
Next year’s course selection at the middle and high schools is coming up, and older music students have encouraged their younger counterparts to stick with band, orchestra, and chorus, all classes that bring together passionate students with common interests. There will also be four new non-performance music classes at the high school which promise to be exciting: Songwriting and Studio, Fundamentals of Music, Intro to Piano, and Music Appreciation: Learning to Listen. As Mr. Cincotta explained, “our music classes do so much for our students in terms of promoting self-expression, personal responsibility, improved self-confidence, and favoring cooperation over competition.”
With our students bouncing back from a disruptive school year and continuing to struggle with the challenges of the pandemic, there is no better time to make music part of their daily lives. Through our music programs, we “celebrate the things that make us truly human,” Mr. Cincotta said, “and keep our kids connected in an increasingly isolated world.” Our children are fortunate to be able to make those meaningful musical connections in the Hingham Schools.
Parents of music students or those interested in learning about and supporting our schools’ music programs are encouraged to become involved in the Hingham Music Parents Association (“HMPA”). Information about the HMPA can be found on their website. The HMPA also regularly posts to their Facebook page with concert photos, information about upcoming performances, and shout outs to music students for honors such as being selected to the Massachusetts Music Educators Association Southeastern District festivals.