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Schools

Sound of Music on a Warm Spring Night

Tuscan School Spring Concert a big success at Maplewood Middle School.

A very warm spring night made for a lovely evening for the Tuscan Spring Concert on Tuesday, May 24. With 30 orchestral students, 46 band members and a chorus numbering 170, the move from Tuscan Elementary School's auditorium to that of Maplewood Middle School was a necessity.

Students arrived early dressed in black and white, as Tuscan music teacher Claire Van Tine called out directions. “Everyone has worked extremely hard,” said Van Tine during a momentary lull. “It shows just how strong and supported the arts are in this town.”

Parents milled around as students found their places, their sheet music and maybe a missing mouth piece to a trombone that had fallen off and rolled under a seat.

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After everyone was settled in, Malikah Majeed, the principal of Tuscan School, took the microphone.

“We'd like to thank Maplewood Middle School for being our musical home for the evening,” she began. Majeed went on to thank the dedicated teachers, the very talented students and the parents for their support in making this night a success.

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The orchestra opened the evening with two selections: Strings Royal by Joseph Compello and Bach Country Fiddles by Richard Meyer.

Anna Sayanagi, the district’s orchestral teacher, conducted. The orchestra was followed by the band with Miss Jasmine Bloch, the district's band teacher. The band played three pieces: Simple Gifts and Linus and Lucy by Vince Guaraldi — both arranged by R.W. Smith — and a selection from the Overture of 1812 by Tchaikovsky.

Last up was the 170-member student chorus. Made up of fourth and fifth graders, the chorus sang five songs: Tuimbe, Firefly, Shooting Star, Lightning and Summer Skies.

The evening ended with a standing ovation. On the way out, Tuscan parent Susan Brand remarked, “It was fabulous...it was better than Cats! I'd see it again!”

The crowd poured out of the middle school and into the to celebrate.

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