The 32nd Annual Naugatuck Public Schools Borough Music Festival

The 32nd Annual Naugatuck Public Schools Borough Music Festival was held at in the Davis Auditorium at Naugatuck High School on the evening of Friday, April 26, 2013. Needless to say, parking was a nightmare due to the work being done at the high school. Shuttles were provided for parents who parked at Andrew Avenue and Western Schools. Despite that fact, parents and friends of the more than 300 students made the effort to attend. The line of students dressed in black and white and audience members stretched across the front of the high school even after the doors opened. I had been sent a complimentary ticket to attend.

The students selected to attend from the elementary, intermediate and middle schools were taken by bus to the high school to rehearse on two mornings prior to the performance. Administrative intern Ellen Aronheim had accompanied the Maple Hill students to their first rehearsal and she told me that they sounded wonderful the first time they had all sung together. She also mentioned that she liked the variety of music that had been chosen for the students to perform.

The annual concerts alternate between instrumental and vocal music. Last year's wonderful concert focused on instrumental groups. This year, a large number of vocal music students took to the stage to perform a wide variety of pieces chosen by the music specialists that teach in the district. These teachers took turns conducting the selections and staff accompanist Wendy Ruggeri served as the pianist for her final time at a Borough Music Festival and she "commuted" between two grand pianos, one on the floor in front of the stage and the other on the stage.

Salem School Principal Jennifer Kruge, who serves as the Music Department Coordinator, took to the microphone to welcome everyone. She explained that the ten music teachers began to plan for this concert in September and gave special thanks to City Hill's Michele Beck for being an "organizational genius." She then told the parents that they should be very proud of their talented children.

The program began with the Combined Choir of students in grades 4 through 6. Under the direction of Cathy Lungarini, the students performed "Yonder Come Day" arranged by Judith Tucker. This piece included spoken parts and clapping. Then the Youth Choir of fourth graders sang their three pieces. "I's the B'y," arranged by Shirley McRae in two parts, was conducted by Robert Trosan and featured Megan McSweeney on flute and Jordan Tulley on percussion. An uptempo "Danny Boy," arranged by Jordan Tulley, was beautifully directed by David Campbell. Finally these students performed "Appalachian Dance" arranged by Christi Miller under the direction of Alice Unschuld. This was a medley of beloved Appalachian tunes and the singers clearly enjoyed singing it.

The Cambiata Choir, made up of fifth and sixth graders, were assembled on the risers onstage. Their selections included "Rhythm of Life" from Sweet Charity and directed by Ms. Beck, "Blackbird" in two parts arranged by Audrey Snyder and directed by Cathy Lungarini, and "Oye" by Jim Papoulis directed by Jennifer Schweiger. The final piece was sung in both English and Spanish and featured the students clapping to the rhythm.

After the younger students exited, the High School Chamber Singers entered in their tuxedos and long black dresses. These students are selected by audition and are led by Mahlon Peterson. They performed four pieces acapella, with only a note or two given by pitch pipe. They sang "Psalm 150" in Latin by Ernani Aguiar, "Wata Kom A Mi Eye" arranged by Paul Tucker, "Jenny Rebecca" by Carol Hall, and "Build Me Up Buttercup" arranged by Sean Anderson. I don't deny that I am biased, but I have always felt that the Chamber Singers are the highlight of the evening.

The rest of the members of the High School Concert Choir climbed upon the risers to perform the beautiful "Hallelujah, Amen" by George Handel, "The Cuckoo" arranged by Robert Hugh with Mr. Tulley again on percussion, the familiar "Bridge Over Troubled Water" arranged by Kirby Shaw. Ms. Beck conducted the middle song, while Mr. Peterson led the other two.

The finale for the evening of song was performed by every one of the selected students. They covered the stage and the risers in front of it and Mr. Peterson conducted them in a rousing version of "Turn the World Around" arranged by Larry Farrow. Flowers were presented to Ms. Kruge for her efforts and Mr. Peterson announced that a $400 scholarship will be given every year in Ms. Ruggeri's honor. After the concert she assured me that she is most definitely not retiring and will continue to teach piano to many Naugatuck students.

Please feel free to upload any photos taken at this wonderful event.