The Torrington High School band celebrated 60 years last night. Past and present members united to play songs for a thrilled audience. The high school band was formed just a few years after the end of World War II and it survived despite tough past and present economic times and annual school budget cuts.
Last night's event showcased why the Board of Education should not ever consider dropping music from the schools. Music is such an important outlet for students. It teaches, discipline, teamwork and achieving positive results from putting time and effort into something important. The group of musicians that performed last night at the high school gym proved that we have the best of the best right here in Torrington. We always have and we still do.
Friday May 30, 2008 - Register Citizen - From the Editor Blog.
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Share your memories of the THS Band!
Music in the Torrington Public Schools has a rich history dating back to the late 1890's. Orchestra's and Choir's and Glee Clubs were the maintain of music education at THS. In 1948 the first Band at Torrington High School was formed under the direction of Mr. Robert Cook. Since 1948 the THS Band has had seven different directorsMr. Robert Cook 1948-1951, Mr. Arthur Booth
1952-1953, Mr. David Wheeler 1954-1980,
Mr. Matthew Valenti 1981-1983, Mr. Richard Wells, 1984-1989, Mr. Robert Travaglini
1990-1996, Mr. Wayne Splettstoeszer
1996-Present.
Share your memories of being in the Torrington High School Band. Leave a comment!
Torrington Music Students Win BIG in Phliadelphia
TORRINGTON - At the Heritage Music Festival in Philadelphia, PA, the Torrington High School Music Department took home the most awards when it went up against schools from around the region.
At the competition last weekend, schools from Maryland, Minnesota, Canada, New Jersey, West Virginia and Virginia performed in band and choral events.
The Chamber Choir, Concert Choir and Orchestra all received silver medals and all of those were within a couple of points of a superior rating. The Concert Band received its first superior rating in 18 years. It also was awarded the Adjudicator's Award and Outstanding Band Award for the highest scoring band in the entire festival in all categories. The Jazz Ensemble won the Festivals of Gold Invitation and a superior rating - the first for Jazz Ensemble in 10 years. It also took home the Adjudicator's Award and was the highest scoring Jazz Ensemble in the entire festival in all categories.
Nick Corbo (Jazz) and Kyle Drevline (Choir) received Maestro Awards for their individual solos. Only four of these Maestro Awards were given out for the entire festival.
For the combined performance of the THS ensembles, two awards were given to the school. The Instrumental Sweepstakes Award, given to the school with the highest combined score of two or more instruments groups, was also awarded for the first time to the school.
THS also took home the Festival Sweepstakes Award, for the highest combined score of three of more performing groups - another first for THS.
Dr. John Metallo, Torrington High School Principal, was thrilled with the results and commended all of the students and the teachers who participated.
"An outstanding music program is part of the Four A's of Torrington High School. The program is centered upon highly motivated and hardworking students. In addition to the great kids in our program, we are blessed to have two have two truly gifted music educators on our staff at THS Lynn Morin, our choral director and Wayne Splettstoeszer, our instrumental director are among the very finest teachers in the entire state. When outstanding students and teachers get together, magic happens," said Metallo.
At the competition last weekend, schools from Maryland, Minnesota, Canada, New Jersey, West Virginia and Virginia performed in band and choral events.
The Chamber Choir, Concert Choir and Orchestra all received silver medals and all of those were within a couple of points of a superior rating. The Concert Band received its first superior rating in 18 years. It also was awarded the Adjudicator's Award and Outstanding Band Award for the highest scoring band in the entire festival in all categories. The Jazz Ensemble won the Festivals of Gold Invitation and a superior rating - the first for Jazz Ensemble in 10 years. It also took home the Adjudicator's Award and was the highest scoring Jazz Ensemble in the entire festival in all categories.
Nick Corbo (Jazz) and Kyle Drevline (Choir) received Maestro Awards for their individual solos. Only four of these Maestro Awards were given out for the entire festival.
For the combined performance of the THS ensembles, two awards were given to the school. The Instrumental Sweepstakes Award, given to the school with the highest combined score of two or more instruments groups, was also awarded for the first time to the school.
THS also took home the Festival Sweepstakes Award, for the highest combined score of three of more performing groups - another first for THS.
Dr. John Metallo, Torrington High School Principal, was thrilled with the results and commended all of the students and the teachers who participated.
"An outstanding music program is part of the Four A's of Torrington High School. The program is centered upon highly motivated and hardworking students. In addition to the great kids in our program, we are blessed to have two have two truly gifted music educators on our staff at THS Lynn Morin, our choral director and Wayne Splettstoeszer, our instrumental director are among the very finest teachers in the entire state. When outstanding students and teachers get together, magic happens," said Metallo.
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