Music. Memories. An elegant night. That's the best way to describe the Staples Orphenians' 50th Anniversary Concert, held Sunday at Staples High School.
Led by Alice Lipson, who retires this year after 35 years as choir director, the Orphenians is the school's elite choir group. Sunday's concert combined classical and contemporary forms of music sung by current Orphenians and alumni.
After a brief precession, the festivities began with the Orphenians' choir, leading into a recital of Orphenian performers. Following the recital, Caitlin Colins, Doug McCormick, Emily Hall and the Peterson Family — all Staples alumni — performed a variation of pieces. Afterwards, the Orphenians retook the stage, and finally, all alumni rushed the stage to join for the last two numbers, "Ride the Chariot" by William Henry Smith and "The Lord Bless You and Keep You," by Peter C. Lutkin.
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Lipson relinquished her place as conductor for the time, allowing Dr. George Weigle, founder of the Staples Orphenians in 1960, to lead the last piece.
In a previous article, Lipson said about retiring: "I have had wonderful experiences in the Westport school system. I work with kids who are interested in music they have a passion for it. They share what they love with what I love. It's all been very rewarding."
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Lipson began teaching in Westport in 1975, right out of college. "I first came to the junior high and middle schools, and every day that I have come to work here has been like going to Disneyland," she said.
When her retirement gets under way, Lipson said that her first goal is start her own musical studies."My goal is to get my voice back," she said previously. "Teaching has taken a toll on my vocal chords. I hope to study under Maggie Heilweil, who is an excellent teacher."
She also intends to audit classes at Norwalk Community College.
In looking back on her career, Lipson credits the town of Westport with hiring good administrators who share sage advice and created an exceptional working environment. "I am very grateful for the guidance I received from Joe Koller and Dan Sullivan when I first got out of college," she said previously. "They created a nurturing administration."
Koller, who recently died at the age of 88, had been principal at Long Lots Junior High School. Sullivan held the positions of assistant principal at Long Lots Junior High School as well as principal of Coleytown Elementary School. In 2008 he retired as principal of Greens Farms Elementary School.
"If you like kids, working with them at any level is rewarding" Lipson concluded. "The success of a teacher is based on the connections they create with their students. I accept my students for who they are, and the relationships that I have established here have made it a joy to come to school every day."
In the fall Justin Miller of Westport will pick up the baton and step in as director of Staples' choruses, choirs and Orphenians.
