A Musical Update
As we enter into the winter months, a flurry of activity will be unfolding within the Music Department that you don’t want to miss. Despite a tumultuous last 4 years and rocky start to this year, Tri-M President Ryan Bailey (‘25) says “We are extremely excited for the direction and prospects of the department this year, and we as students want to support it in being better than ever.”
New Faces, Old Roots
Tri-M Induction (Pictured Left: Simko) // Photo by Qenan Francois
The music department has taken on two new faces this year, Mrs. Simko who is in her 13th year teaching previously worked at Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School and hails from Pennsylvania. Outside of teaching she is a singer-songwriter and recording artist. In the first few months of school she has been focused on forming community and making connections to all of her students to move the program forwards.
Mr. Souza is our late arrival, only joining the NM family at the beginning of November- despite this he has already begun leaving his mark on the instrumental program. Souza is the Wind Ensemble Director at Brandeis University, formerly he was the K-12 Music Coordinator for the Nashua School District. You also might have seen him before during the weekly summer band concerts in Townsend Commons; he is the conductor of the Townsend Military Band.
Ironically the longest reigning faculty member of the performing arts isn’t even a part of the Music Department, instead he hails from Math and Business. Mr. Thompson has been putting on shows for over a decade; the annual fall play (and winter ones too) in addition to technically directing the musical. You would be hard pressed to find some school event where he isn’t. Needing a microphone, managing lights, clicking a slideshow, setting up a projector, mixing a soundtrack all comes back to him.
When asked about his experience being the “go-to” tech guy at NM he said,
“I'm never going to say no, I enjoy helping others and showing off the attributes of our facility. Through all the changes and twists and turns over the last eleven years, it's nice to reflect that I have been a constant presence for so many and I hope to continue to be for years to come.”
He goes on to reflect on his experience as director,
“This year marks my eleventh year running the NM Theater Guild. I can't believe eleven years worth of shows have flown by. So much has changed, from a revolving cast of students, some of whom I am now working with, to a brand new building and amazing facility. I really feel privileged to have been able to help phenomenal groups of students to entertain so many over the years. “
What’s on the Agenda?
On Thursday, December 12th for the first time the annual Winter Concerts will be combined into one featuring the concert, treble, and chamber choirs, wind symphony, and percussion ensemble. A wide variety of music will be performed including traditional, classical, and modern arrangements in combination with christmas staples.
On Thursday, January 30th and Friday the 31st the NM Theater Guild, under the direction of Mr. Thompson, will be performing The Play That Goes Wrong, a comedy wrapped up in a murder mystery. The play is centered around the Cornley Drama Society whom are putting on The Murder at Haversham Manor and they are determined to power through to the very end. Under the director, Chris, and with the help of stage manager, Annie, and Tech director, Taylor, the cast and crew put on a show you will never forget.
The Play That Goes Wrong will mark Thompson’s 20th show he has directed at North Middlesex. He says “it might just be the most enjoyable and funniest yet.”
What’s happened?
On Friday, December 6th NM Students Brienna Duteau, Colin Miranda, Qenan Francois, Adam Manni, Chelsea Gay, Savannah Cummings and Maddie King performed at the 10th annual Massachusetts Institute of Technology PRISM concert as members of the Groton Hill Wind Ensemble in collaboration with the MIT Wind Ensemble, both under the direction of Dr. Frederick Harris Jr.
Groton Hill, formerly known as Indian Hill has long been home to NM students who wish to further their music prowess. Several take private lessons at the school and participate in their other groups such as the orchestra. The GHWE will be premiering a suite with grammy award winning saxophonist Miguel Zenón on January 11th.
Brienna Duteau, Principal Flute // Photo by Delton Francois