by Lisa Moore
Hometown Weekly Correspondent
It was the vision of Dr. Sandra Nicolucci to bring together all of the music disciplines at WHS for a collaborative performance. Since its inception in 1998, the Masterworks concert has been a showcase for the talented young men and women in the WHS choral ensembles, band and orchestra.
This year’s concert featured music recently performed at the MICCA Choral festival, where WHS students received some of the highest ratings and awards. The collaboration saw the joining of the male choral group the Brooks Brothers, the female choral group the Song Sisters, the Concert Choir, Keynote Singers, Rice Street Singers, Honors Chamber Orchestra and members of the WHS bands all performing Aaron Copland’s “Old American Songs,” under the direction of Dr. Kevin McDonald.
For several weeks, the various student groups put in hours of practice. Steve Scott prepared the WHS band and Dr. Sergey Khanukaev prepared the chamber ensembles while Chad Weirick served as choral accompanist. The individual efforts came together for a masterful performance with nearly 300 WHS students filling the stage and brining a wonderful night of music to the packed audience at the Katherine L. Babson auditorium Thursday evening.
Wellesley High Schools Director of Performing Arts, Dr. Sabrina Quintana opened the show, thanking all of the members of the WHS music department, the members of POPS, and the parents of performing arts students for supporting the performance and the encouragement they provide for the Arts program. “Arts play a vital role in our student’s education” said Quintana.
After only two practices together as a group the students performed together seamlessly, delivering a selection of music that had the audience cheering and yearning for more. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.wellesleypops.org
