The Litchfield County Band Festival will be held on Tuesday March 31, 2009 7:00pm at the Warner Theater in Torrington, Conn. The Litchfield County Band Festival will feature the Litchfield High School Symphonic Band, Torrington High School Symphonic Band and Northwestern Regional 7 Concert Band and Wind Symphony. Tickets can be purchased in the music office and the night of the concert. Tickets are $8 Adults, $5 Students.
Come out and support Music Education in Litchfield County!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
United States Army Jazz Ambassadors coming to Torrington!
The Army Jazz Ambassadors will be presenting a FREE concert on Monday April 6, 2009 7:30pm at the Warner Theater in Torrington, Conn. Tickets are available at any Torrington Savings Bank location and Warner Theater Box Office. The Jazz Ambassadors is the United States Army's premier touring jazz orchestra. This 19-member big band, formed in 1969, has received great acclaim both at home and abroad performing America's original art form, jazz.
Concerts by the Jazz Ambassadors are designed to entertain all types of audiences. Custom compositions and arrangements highlight the group's creative talent and gifted soloists. Their diverse repertoire includes big band swing, bebop, Latin, contemporary jazz, standards, popular tunes, Dixieland, vocals, and patriotic selections.
The band has appeared in all fifty states, Canada, Mexico, Japan, India, and throughout Europe. Notable performances include concerts at international jazz festivals in Montreux, Switzerland; Newport, Rhode Island; Toronto, Canada; Brussels, Belgium; and the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands. In 1995, the Jazz Ambassadors performed in England, Wales, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Czech Republic in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the end of World War II. The band has also been featured in unique joint concerts with major orchestras, including the Detroit and Baltimore symphonies.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Congratulations THS Jazz!
On Saturday March 7, 2009 the Torrington High School Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo participated in the Enrico Fermi High School Jazz Festival. The THS Jazz Combo received a bronze rating and David Pashley, Alto Sax, received an outstanding musician award. The THS Jazz Ensemble received a silver medal and Brian Nowell, Trumpet, received an oustanding musican award.
The THS Jazz Ensemble will next perform at the Torrington Public Schools Night of Jazz Tuesday March 10, 2009 7:00pm at Torrington Middle School. NIght of Jazz will feature the TMS Jazz Ensemble, THS Jazz Ensemble and the Award Winning Central Connecticut State University Jazz Ensemble.
Concert is FREE and open to the public.
The THS Jazz Ensemble will next perform at the Torrington Public Schools Night of Jazz Tuesday March 10, 2009 7:00pm at Torrington Middle School. NIght of Jazz will feature the TMS Jazz Ensemble, THS Jazz Ensemble and the Award Winning Central Connecticut State University Jazz Ensemble.
Concert is FREE and open to the public.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Victoria Measles awarded $20K
Register Citizen - Sunday March 1, 2009
TORRINGTON — A local student has been selected to receive a $20,000 scholarship from a national organization.
Victoria L. Measles was selected by the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans to receive the National Scholarship Award. Measles was chosen because she had overcome great obstacles in her life while demonstrating a strength of character, a commitment to pursue college and a desire to contribute to society, the organization said.
Being able to receive the award was a “huge surprise,” Measles said.
“I feel so lucky to get it,” she said. “I didn’t expect it... so many people applied for it.”
Measles was one of two recipients of the scholarship in the state, and one of 104 throughout the country. She is scheduled to go on an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., from April 1 to April 5 to receive the award.
In the nation’s capital, Measles will join other recipients of the scholarship in listening to speeches of former members and partake in the formal award ceremony. The organization provides nearly $7 million in annual awards for need-based students.
Measles is the sister of Maryann Measles, who was murdered in 1997 at age 13.
A Torrington High School senior, Measles is a heavily active in the theater scene at both school and the Warner Theatre. She has held star roles in “Kiss Me Kate,” “Taming of the Shrew,” “Peter Pan,” “Cinderalla” and “The Skin of Our Teeth.”
Opening in May, she will star as Gretchen in “Seussical the Musical.”
Measles is part of the Thespian Troupe No. 611, the Chamber Choir, Interact Club and School Set Design. Measles also actively volunteers for organizations such as the Penguin Plunge and the Salvation Army.
Apart from school and theater, she also works during evenings at Coffee House Plus.
“I think I’m pretty self-made when it comes to getting money for myself, doing the whole college thing,” she said.
Measles noted that she’s the first one in her family to attend college. Her top choices are Fordham and Pace, and while she has yet to hear from Fordham, Pace has already offered her a $15,000 academic scholarship. Fordham, however, is still the top choice, she said.
Despite the seemingly endless process of applying to college, the application to the Horatio Alger Scholarship process took more time, she said. Short essays, recommendations and transcripts were required.
“They asked you not only about yourself, but personal questions about your past,” she said. “How much in your life you have had to deal with, and how you overcame any of those things.”
Measles plans on continuing theater by taking it up as a major. She hopes also to do internships and to study abroad in England and France, where she can use her proficient knowledge of French, she said.
TORRINGTON — A local student has been selected to receive a $20,000 scholarship from a national organization.
Victoria L. Measles was selected by the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans to receive the National Scholarship Award. Measles was chosen because she had overcome great obstacles in her life while demonstrating a strength of character, a commitment to pursue college and a desire to contribute to society, the organization said.
Being able to receive the award was a “huge surprise,” Measles said.
“I feel so lucky to get it,” she said. “I didn’t expect it... so many people applied for it.”
Measles was one of two recipients of the scholarship in the state, and one of 104 throughout the country. She is scheduled to go on an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., from April 1 to April 5 to receive the award.
In the nation’s capital, Measles will join other recipients of the scholarship in listening to speeches of former members and partake in the formal award ceremony. The organization provides nearly $7 million in annual awards for need-based students.
Measles is the sister of Maryann Measles, who was murdered in 1997 at age 13.
A Torrington High School senior, Measles is a heavily active in the theater scene at both school and the Warner Theatre. She has held star roles in “Kiss Me Kate,” “Taming of the Shrew,” “Peter Pan,” “Cinderalla” and “The Skin of Our Teeth.”
Opening in May, she will star as Gretchen in “Seussical the Musical.”
Measles is part of the Thespian Troupe No. 611, the Chamber Choir, Interact Club and School Set Design. Measles also actively volunteers for organizations such as the Penguin Plunge and the Salvation Army.
Apart from school and theater, she also works during evenings at Coffee House Plus.
“I think I’m pretty self-made when it comes to getting money for myself, doing the whole college thing,” she said.
Measles noted that she’s the first one in her family to attend college. Her top choices are Fordham and Pace, and while she has yet to hear from Fordham, Pace has already offered her a $15,000 academic scholarship. Fordham, however, is still the top choice, she said.
Despite the seemingly endless process of applying to college, the application to the Horatio Alger Scholarship process took more time, she said. Short essays, recommendations and transcripts were required.
“They asked you not only about yourself, but personal questions about your past,” she said. “How much in your life you have had to deal with, and how you overcame any of those things.”
Measles plans on continuing theater by taking it up as a major. She hopes also to do internships and to study abroad in England and France, where she can use her proficient knowledge of French, she said.
Monday, February 9, 2009
THS Musicians earn All-State Honors!
Congratulations to the following THS Music students for making the Connecticut All-State Music Festival. The CMEA All-State Festival will take place at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, CT April 2-4, 2009.
Connecticut All-State Jazz Ensemble
Brian Nowell - Trumpet
Connecticut All-State Chorus
Garrett Rapsilber - Tenor
Connecticut All-State Band
John DelVento - Euphonium
Connecticut All-State Orchestra
Bridget Bertoldi - Flute
Michelle Wallace - Bassoon
Connecticut All-State Jazz Ensemble
Brian Nowell - Trumpet
Connecticut All-State Chorus
Garrett Rapsilber - Tenor
Connecticut All-State Band
John DelVento - Euphonium
Connecticut All-State Orchestra
Bridget Bertoldi - Flute
Michelle Wallace - Bassoon
Saturday, January 24, 2009
FINAL CARNEGIE FUNDRAISERS FOR CHAMBER CHOIR!
We are holding our final two fundraisers before the Carnegie trip.
If you are interested in tickets, please contact
Lynn Morin at *489-2294 - ext. 1716 or lmorin@torrington.org
THS (860)489-2294)or ask any Chamber Choir member.
Applebees Pancake Breakfast—Saturday, January 31st from 8:00-10:00 a.m.
Pre-sold tickets are $5.00 each and include three pancakes, two pieces of bacon and unlimited coffee/orange juice.
To be held at the Torrington Applebees at 1660 East Main St.
Torrington Elks Club Dinner—Wednesday, February 11th from 4:30-7:00 p.m. Pre-sold tickets are $8.00 each and include pasta dinner, salad, rolls, dessert, coffee/tea. Bar will sell $1.00 sodas and other beverages.
Torrington educator gets national technology award
BY JIM MOORE REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN - Saturday, January 17, 2009 3:12 AM EST
TORRINGTON — A music technology education program that Wayne Splettstoeszer built at Torrington High School, byte by byte, has earned national recognition.
"He not only does great things with the kids, he also shares that," said Thomas Rudolph, a teacher in Pennsylvania and president of the Technology Institute for Music Educators, which is recognizing Splettstoeszer as a role model and innovator for music teachers nationwide.
A growing list of high schools and colleges use Splettstoeszer's lesson plans, assignments and exercises which he posts online for fellow educators to use, Rudolph said.
The kids are keen on him, too.
Kasey Graves, 18, a senior in Splettstoeszer's introductory-level music technology class, said her teacher is "pretty sick," which translates from teen speak to "cool."
Graves and junior Mitchell Wimmer were among many students who crowded the school's computer lab Friday, putting the finishing touches on projects that mixed digital photography with original soundtracks created by computer software.
"I can learn how to write music, and be my own producer," said Wimmer, who plans to make a career in music.
Splettstoeszer, 38, who also teaches traditional instrumental music, will accept next month the 2009 Mike Kovins TIME Teacher of the Year Award during a conference in San Antonio, Texas. The award, Rudolph said, is competitive and reserved for a teacher who leads the way on the cutting edge of music education.
"It's a huge honor," Splettstoeszer said.
Splettstoeszer's technology class is a tough get. There is a waiting list every year for Music Technology I, and his yearlong Music Technology II class is always full.
Students in the advanced class learn how to produce radio commercials and film scores, using software and synthesizers. Students in the introductory class set poetry and short story excerpts to music, often writing original work that brings English into the mix.
Interim Principal Marsha Olsen said that kind of integration is the way of the future.
"That's one of our focuses that we're going to be working on next year," Olsen said. "Mr. Splettstoeszer is at the forefront of that."
Splettstoeszer said the electronic approach allows him to reach a generation of students who come to school armed with iPods and laptops. The elective courses also open the door to music appreciation for students who may have never picked up a traditional instrument.
"I've had valedictorians sitting next to future music majors sitting next to special education students," Splettstoeszer said. "All of them can have success."
Splettstoeszer started the technology program from scratch 13 years ago, learning as he went.
"My first couple years were learning five minutes before class and going in and teaching it," he recalled.
"There was no one I could go to. Music technology was in its infancy."
Splettstoeszer said he's just going with the flow.
"The kids of today are using technology in every aspect of their life," he said. "We need to reach them."
TORRINGTON — A music technology education program that Wayne Splettstoeszer built at Torrington High School, byte by byte, has earned national recognition.
"He not only does great things with the kids, he also shares that," said Thomas Rudolph, a teacher in Pennsylvania and president of the Technology Institute for Music Educators, which is recognizing Splettstoeszer as a role model and innovator for music teachers nationwide.
A growing list of high schools and colleges use Splettstoeszer's lesson plans, assignments and exercises which he posts online for fellow educators to use, Rudolph said.
The kids are keen on him, too.
Kasey Graves, 18, a senior in Splettstoeszer's introductory-level music technology class, said her teacher is "pretty sick," which translates from teen speak to "cool."
Graves and junior Mitchell Wimmer were among many students who crowded the school's computer lab Friday, putting the finishing touches on projects that mixed digital photography with original soundtracks created by computer software.
"I can learn how to write music, and be my own producer," said Wimmer, who plans to make a career in music.
Splettstoeszer, 38, who also teaches traditional instrumental music, will accept next month the 2009 Mike Kovins TIME Teacher of the Year Award during a conference in San Antonio, Texas. The award, Rudolph said, is competitive and reserved for a teacher who leads the way on the cutting edge of music education.
"It's a huge honor," Splettstoeszer said.
Splettstoeszer's technology class is a tough get. There is a waiting list every year for Music Technology I, and his yearlong Music Technology II class is always full.
Students in the advanced class learn how to produce radio commercials and film scores, using software and synthesizers. Students in the introductory class set poetry and short story excerpts to music, often writing original work that brings English into the mix.
Interim Principal Marsha Olsen said that kind of integration is the way of the future.
"That's one of our focuses that we're going to be working on next year," Olsen said. "Mr. Splettstoeszer is at the forefront of that."
Splettstoeszer said the electronic approach allows him to reach a generation of students who come to school armed with iPods and laptops. The elective courses also open the door to music appreciation for students who may have never picked up a traditional instrument.
"I've had valedictorians sitting next to future music majors sitting next to special education students," Splettstoeszer said. "All of them can have success."
Splettstoeszer started the technology program from scratch 13 years ago, learning as he went.
"My first couple years were learning five minutes before class and going in and teaching it," he recalled.
"There was no one I could go to. Music technology was in its infancy."
Splettstoeszer said he's just going with the flow.
"The kids of today are using technology in every aspect of their life," he said. "We need to reach them."
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