Over the first weekend of April, 81 members of the Old Rochester Regional High School Band and Chorus, accompanied by Music Director Mike Barnicle, and eight chaperones, spent four days in Nashville, TN. The ensembles participated in Festivals of Music, where they performed for judges and received verbal and written critiques, as well as clinics with several of the judges. Both ensembles were awarded ratings of “Excellent”, and Chorus accompanist, Mason Tucker, was recognized as “Outstanding Accompanist.”
While in Nashville, the students were able to tour the city, see several museums and local historical sites, and tour the famous Ryman Auditorium. They also took in shows on the General Jackson Showboat and at The Grand Ole Opry. But if you ask the students, many will say the highlight of the trip was their hotel, the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, with its brand new indoor water park.
The students in the ORRHS Music Department spent much of the year raising money through fundraisers and a performance at the school by the Southcoast Jazz Orchestra. They were also given some financial assistance from FORM (Friends of Old Rochester Music), and donations from some local organizations, including the Sippican Choral Society. You have one more chance to hear the ensembles this year, at their Spring Concert, May 8, at 7:00 pm in the ORRHS Auditorium.