March
2005
ARTS
“P.J.” A. is a multi talented
musician
by B. H.-M.
P. J. A. is an 8th grader of many talents. P. J. A.
plays clarinet, is trying to learn drums and used to
play piano. P. J. A. plays his clarinet with our own
8th grade band, who just had a concert. When he played
piano, he had recitals.
P. J. A. also attends the All-Newton Music School
and All-City Band here at Day. He also plays and learns
with MYE, the Massachusetts Youth Education.
P. J. A. was inspired by his mother, who plays clarinet.
He wanted to play an instrument and his mom started
to teach him. She then sent him for lessons.
He is currently going to the Day’s Band’s
Pop Concert. He was recommended by G. F.
by B. M.
Day’s annual Acoustic Night was held on
Wednesday evening, February the 9th in the Day Auditorium.
It was coordinated by music teachers G. F. and B.
M.
The “I-don’t-know-how-many- th” annual
Acoustic Night showcased a variety of Day talent. From
J. L.’s excellent performance of “Sentinel” on
the baritone tuba, to R. V.’s and T. C.’s
heartfelt rendition of “Empty Apartment” with
2 guitars and vocals, the evening was a rousing success.
One highlight of the evening was the performance of
the traditional Chinese “Rainbow Dance.” In
a long, flowing costume, with sleeves of rainbow colors
flying out behind and beside the dancer, it was a beautiful
performance, well-danced and artfully-costumed.
Another high point was T. L.’s virtuoso performance
of the Brahms Ballade in G Major on the piano. He played
with a sensitive touch and with feeling. C. W. played
Beethoven’s first published work, the Sonata
for Piano Opus 1. She played well.
As was mentioned earlier, R. V. and T. C. played a
warm and heartfelt rendition of the song “Empty
Apartment”. R. V.’s voice was well-practiced
and perfectly suited to the song. T. C. produced a
warm and beautiful touch from his guitar.
“The Funky Weasels” played the Duke Ellington
masterpiece “Some Sweet Thunder.” Considering
the piece was originally written for full orchestra,
they played well using only a few instruments. Closing
off the evening was J. L., S. C., and C. W.’s
rendition of “Beauty and the Beast” for
2 flutes and electric piano.
Walking out, an audience member mentioned that it “...was
the best Acoustic Night I’ve ever seen."
Stefan Jackiw featured in All-Newton Music
School's Andrew Wolf Memorial Concert
by B. H.-M.
Stephan Jackiw gave a concert at the All-Newton
Music School on Sunday, February the 13th at 4PM
in memory of Andrew Wolf, father of former Blue Team
student A. W.
A. W., a former Day Blue teamer, was in the 8 th grade
when her Dad, Andy Wolf, died. At that time
donations in Wolf’s memory were used to establish
an annual memorial concert at the All Newton Music
School. 19-year-old Stefan Jackiw was this year’s
featured soloist on Sunday, February 13th, at 4PM.
Jackiw and the pianist, John Novacek, played different
pieces, such as Mozart and Beethoven. The audience
liked their playing so much, that Jackiw and Novacek
decided to play an encore piece.
Jackiw at such a young age is already recognized
as one of the greatest players of his generation. He
has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Pittsburgh
Symphony, the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, the Boston
Pops, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Symphony
Orchestra.
When Jackiw was 14, he toured Europe and visited London
to play the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor
with the Philharmonia Orchestra. He also performed
in Europe with Orchestre Philarmonique de Strasbourg
and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
Jackiw also toured Japan, playing with Baltimore
in Suntory Hall in Tokyo. He has given many performances
in the Boston area, since he studies at Harvard University
, this is a good place to see Jackiw play. He has been
awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant in 2002 and was
honored greatly by Chistoph Eschenbach at the Schleswig-Holstein
Music Festival in the summer of 2001.
Jackiw started playing the violin at 4 years. He
says that he grew up around music, especially classical,
and loved it. Jackiw’s neighbors gave him a violin
when he started playing and he started taking lessons.
He studies with Donald Weilerstein and entered Harvard
in 2003. “Practice slowly and keep at it,” says
Jackiw to future violin stars.
by R. O. and A. S.
On March the 31st, April the 1st, and April the 2nd,
Day 7th and 8th graders will perform “Once Upon
A Mattress”. Day drama teacher J. S., who will
be directing the show, says the musical was very tough
to cast.
“The show appeals to all ages, but there are
some more mature moments,” J. S. says. The story
of “Mattress...” is based on “The
Princess and the Pea”, and was written by Jay
Thompson, Marshall Barer, and Dean Fuller, with music
by Mary Rodgers.
Playing the part of the Princess Winifred is J. H.,
an 8th grader on the Orange Team. Prince Dauntless
will be portrayed by N. W., a 8th grader on Orange
team.
The cast is currently finishing staging the show and
moving on to polish every song and scene. The first
two performances have a 7:30PM curtain, but the final
performance will be a 3PM matinee.
Tickets for each performance are $10; use the coupon
in this issue to order advance tickets by mail for
reserved seating.
Old Carr School will
be recommissioned as Newton Arts Center
by L. F. and J. L.
The old Carr School at 225 Nevada Street, off Watertown
Street, will shortly open as Newton’s new arts
center. The building will be the home to some of Newton’s
recreational, civic, and cultural organizations.
According to Newton Mayor David Cohen’s liaison,
Jeremy Solomon, so far two Newton cultural organizations
have signed leases for the center: the New Repertory
Theatre and the Newton Pride Community Greenhouse.
Solomon says other licenses are pending.
Solomon, “...envisions a community arts center.
In the spring it will be a new day for the arts in
Newton.”
by R. O.
Day’s annual Black History Production gave three
performances, one each for the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades,
in the Day Auditorium on Wednesday, February the 16th
under the direction of D. S. and B. S.
On the 16th of February, the Black History Club performed
an period-long show for the 6th, 7th ,and 8th graders.
The whole performance was structured around two kids
who were watching the TV one night and, being bored,
decided to channel surf.
The show consisted of skits culled from different
channels on television.
The first performance was “Who Wants To Be A
Millionaire,” where they asked questions dealing
with African-American history.
The next skit had three girls who were double dutching.
Each girl did a different stunt when it was her turn
to jump. This skit got the audience cheering and clapping.
The next segment was an interview where performers
talked about different issues surrounding stereotyping,
such as being frustrated when people assume that some
kids take the METCO bus just because they are not white,
and assuming that they consumed something which they
hadn’t. They also talked about issues that involved
stereotyping.
The next section of their performance was the minorities
in history awards. This section involved Maya Angelou,
a poet, who recited one of her poems. Another person
was Aretha Franklin who sang one of her songs. The
third part of the Grammys was a rocking dance with
flashing lights which was done to “One, Two Step” by
a group of 7th and 8th grade girls.
The cast ended their performance with “Lift
Every Voice And Sing”, the African-American national
anthem. During this song, performers asked everybody
to stand.
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