Foxborough HS Music Suite To Be Named After Stephen Massey

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Foxborough Music Director Steve Massey may be heading towards retirement, but his name will never leave the part of Foxborough High School that he made his for nearly four decades.

The school committee voted Monday night to rename the music wing of the school the Stephen C. Massey Suite. A plaque will be placed outside the wing honoring the 37-year member of the school.

The proposal was brought forward by Sheila Peterson and Tracey Vasile on behalf of the Foxborough Music Association. While it is not common practice to name portions of buildings after members of the schools, his achievements based on the school policy quailed him for the honor.

"When the proposal first began to take shape, we looked at the policy. This doesn't come up very often. It's a relative rarity. My first thought was, I can't imagine anyone fitting that description more than Mr. Massey. Without reservation, I do recommend this," Superintendent Debra Spinelli said.

Under Massey, the bands of Foxborough High School have received regional, national, and international recognition. The bands have been to Symphony Hall several times and jazz band has performed at the Essentially Ellington competition 17 times, the most for any school.

In 2009, the band was the only amateur group to perform at a pre-inauguration event at the Kennedy Center.

The vote was the third time since 2014 that the school committee has voted to attached someone's name to a portion of a building or facility, with the last two being Sam Berns Community Field and Jack Martinelli Field at the Ahern Middle School.

"We have three individuals who are so diverse, but have made an impact in their different ways.This is an extraordinary step but a very fitting one," committee member Tina Belanger said.

Image: File Photo