June 21, 2021, Submitted by Monica Tesler of the Hingham Music Parents Association
At Hingham’s recent high school graduation, seniors marched into the football stadium as members of the high school band played Pomp and Circumstance. While this rite of passage is meaningful every year, it took on even more significance this year as many music students had not had an opportunity to play publicly since the schools closed their doors in early 2020.
Even with the difficulties of remote music instruction, our students and faculty rose to the year’s challenges with creativity and commitment. “Despite a tremendously challenging year for our department, our music students continued to demonstrate resilience, focus, and the remarkable ability to collectively create art in a virtual setting - a nearly impossible task,” Brian Cincotta, director of the high school and seventh/eighth grade bands, remarked.
Before the end of the school year, students shared an enthusiastic return to in-person music instruction and the opportunity to sing and play with their peers under the direction of our excellent music faculty. They were also able to celebrate some annual traditions, including music award ceremonies. “We’re so proud of their hard work,” Mr. Cincotta said, “and these awards, presented in private ceremonies earlier this spring, offer recognition for their various accomplishments during an unusual time as we celebrate an expected return to normalcy in the fall.” A list of this year’s music award and scholarship recipients is included below.
With the expected return to business as usual in September, a few recent graduates had some words of wisdom for younger music students. Jack Mullins, winner of the Director’s Award in orchestra, described the broad appeal of the music department: “It’s important to highlight that our music program isn’t a classical music program. You can have an appreciation for any genre or period of music and still find success, growth, and great relationships within these classes.” Winner of the John Philip Sousa award in band, Emma O’Horo stressed the value of challenging yourself musically: “Participating in challenging auditions has significantly increased my musicianship and made me appreciate the process over the product. While I have not always made every audition, the effort I put into the process made everything worth it.” Finally, Rachel Warhaftig, winner of the Bel Canto Award in chorus, offered sage advice for musicians of any age, suggesting you should “worry less about how the music you make sounds, and focus on how you feel while making it.”
All senior music students received yard signs, courtesy of the Hingham Music Parents Association (HMPA), as a way to acknowledge and celebrate their commitment to the music department during their tenure at Hingham High School. The HMPA supports music education in the Hingham public schools. For more information about the HMPA, including volunteer opportunities, you can visit the HMPA website at http://hinghammpa.weebly.com.
Hingham High School Music Department Awards and Scholarships 2020-2021
Director’s Award, Chorus
Sydney Collins
Director’s Award, Band
Charlie Bruggemann
Director’s Award, Orchestra
Jack Mullins
Brendan Power
Bel Canto Award, Chorus
Rachel Warhaftig
John Philip Sousa Award, Band
Emma O’Horo
Isabella Montenegro
National School Orchestra Award
Kate Gillig
Chamber Players Award of Excellence, Orchestra
Pria Parker
Outstanding Contribution, Band
Brian Fennelly
Christopher Rulli
Outstanding Achievement, Band
Elijah Webber
Alexa Fox
Eric Gu
Alexa Monti
Outstanding Achievement, Orchestra
Elizabeth Leland (Freshman)
Elena Bryden
Richard Sommers
Most Improved, Band
Lana Lucas (Wind Ensemble)
Dominic Kanter (Concert Band)
James Dietterich (Senior)
Most Improved, Orchestra
Audrey Ludley (Freshman)
Joshua Greenwood
Anne Shoemaker (Senior)
Growth and Progress, Chorus
Sophie Kerr (Concert Chorale)
Theo Grossman (Concert Chorale)
DJ Harris (Mixed Chorus)
Emma Beyer (Mixed Chorus)
Senior Music Scholarship Recipients
George F Burton Music Scholarship, Kate Gillig
Wallis Lee Chipman Music Prize, Charlie Bruggemann
1988-1989 Hingham Band Scholarship, Brian Fennelly
Savini Music Scholarship Fund, Aidan Murphy
Southeastern Massachusetts School Bandmasters Association (SEMSBA)
2021 Senior SEMSBA Band
Ashley Dong
Eric Gu
Nick O'Connor
Emma O'Horo
2021 Senior SEMSBA Jazz Band
Nathan Tesler
2021 Senior SEMSBA Orchestra
Pria Parker
Richard Sommers
Kalyna Wilkin
2021 Junior SEMSBA Band
Alexa Fox
Renee Martel
Connor Anderson
Gavin Anderson
Joseph Andrews
Noah Dell
Christopher Hoppe
Maggie Kelleher
Azariah Price
Clara Reive
Aaron Roberts
Adrianna Ryan
Kat Webber
2021 Junior SEMSBA Orchestra
Josh Bradshaw
Elizabeth Leland
2021 Junior SEMSBA Chorus
Ann Daly
Alexa Harris
Dania Thayer
Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA), Southeastern District
2021 MMEA Senior District Band
Charlie Bruggeman
Eric Gu
Emma O’Horo
Elijah Webber
2021 MMEA Senior District Percussion Ensemble
Nick O’Connor
2021 MMEA Senior District Orchestra
Elena Bryden
Sarah Bryden
Kate Gillig
Pria Parker
Richard Sommers
2021 MMEA Senior District Chorus
Emma Beyer
2021 MMEA Junior District Band
Alexa Fox
Connor Anderson
Gavin Anderson
Noah Dell
Christopher Hoppe
Maggie Kelleher
Azariah Price
Kat Webber
2021 MMEA Junior District Jazz Band
William Teague
2021 MMEA Junior District Orchestra
Josh Bradshaw
Elizabeth Leland
Ryan Chang
Frances Leland
Meghan O'Neil
2021 MMEA Junior District Chorus
Ann Daly
Harry Fitzgerald
Josslyn Grabowski
Alexa Harris
Olivia Robinson
Ethan Warhaftig