The SSMA supports music and drama programs in Shrewsbury Schools

Here are a few examples of how the SSMA has helped during the past year:

• Purchased new keyboard for the Paton Elementary School together with the Paton PTO
• Provided funds and other support for Music festival competition trip to Baltimore
• Provided music scholarships for talented seniors accepted into college music programs
• Provided funds for the purchase of concert attire for chorus, band, and orchestra
• Organized and provided funds and refreshments for Music Awards night
• Organized and provided volunteers for the Central District Senior Concert rehearsals and Junior Concert auditions
• Provided funds for All State and All Eastern registration fees and other expenses for Shrewsbury students selected for these prestigious events
• Purchased two trumpets for the Sherwood Middle School music program
• Provided funds for an acting coach for "Fiddler on the Roof"
• Provided student scholarships for instrument rental
• Provided funds for bus transportation for music events
• Sold refreshments at music and drama events throughout the year
• Provided funds for cello repairs and new strings for the High School orchestra
• Purchased instructional materials for the High School jazz band and concert band

The funds used for these projects come from your purchases of concert series tickets during the annual Music Drive and refreshments during music and drama events, your donations for gift wrapping at Borders during the holiday season, and your participation in other SSMA fund raisers during the school year.  The SSMA thanks all of you who have participated in and contributed to the fundraisers that make this support possible.

Central District Events at SHS and OMS

Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped make the Central District Senior Concert rehearsals and Central District Junior Concert auditions so successful this year!

Concerts

You are cordially invited to attend any and all of the Shrewsbury High School concerts - whether or not your student is involved in music programs. An evening at one of our student concerts is a great way to get in touch with the heartbeat of our school community. Season passes ($10) can be purchased from students during the Fall Music Drive or at the door before concerts and are good for all of the concerts during the academic year. Tickets for individual performances ($5.00) can be purchased the night of the concert. As you can see, the Season passes really pay off and help the SSMA support Music Programs throughout the Shrewsbury Schools all year long.

SSMA Board Members ('08 - '09) – Stephanie Ambra, Doug Buell, Adriana Carou, Marsha Cramer, Deborah Del Dotto, Nancy Freeman, JoAnne Hubbard, Laura Johnson, Rachel Kleiman-Wexler, Kathy Parks, Helen Porter, Mary Beth Rogers, Brigid Rubin, Janine Sinott, Joe Smongeski, and Marcia Stech

New members are always welcome, just come to the next meeting (see schedule below)!

SSMA Meeting Schedule ('08 - '09)

The SSMA Board meets on the first Tuesday of the month in the Class of 2002 conference room in the High School at 7:15 pm, unless otherwise indicated. There will be meetings held on Feb. 5, March 4, April 1. Check back later for the May and June meeting dates.

SSMA Activites

The SSMA provides support for the Shrewsbury Schools Music and Theater Programs including organization of the Fall Music Drive and other fundraising events, assistance with costumes and scenery for theater productions, providing concert attire, handling refreshment sales at music and theater events, handling ticket sales at music and theater events, providing support for Shrewsbury Schools participation in various music competitions, handling music awards and scholarships, and many other support functions.

Past Shrewsbury High School Musicals

• Spring 2008 - Once On This Island
• Summer 2008 - Back to the 80s
• Summer 2007 - Grease
• 2007 - Fiddler on the Roof
• 2006 - "Beauty and the Beast"

Calendar of Events

Congratulations!

All Eastern Honors Ensembles

Congratulations to Ryan Sheehan who has been selected to perform in the chorus ensemble at the All-Eastern Honors Ensembles to be held in Hartford, Connecticut, March 8-11, 2007. An important part of the MENC (National Association for Music Education) Eastern Division Conference, the All-Eastern Honors Ensembles consist of a concert band, orchestra, chorus, and jazz ensemble composed of more than 600 selected high school students from MENC's Eastern Division (Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, US Military European Schools, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont). Ryan will be performing with the chorus ensemble at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts on March 11, 2007 at 1:00 pm.

2008 All State Festival

The 2008 All State Festival will be held Saturday, March 29, 2008 from 1-3 pm at Symphony Hall in Boston. Congratulations to the SHS students who will be performing in the Festival this year!

2008 Central District Senior Concert

The 2008 Central District Senior Concert will be held in Mechanics Hall in Worcester on January 19 at 4:00 pm (snow date January 20). The concert, presented by the Massachusetts Music Educators Association, features the best young musicians from 59 schools in Central Massachusetts. The following SHS students were recently accepted by audition to participate in the concert. Those with an asterisk were also recommended for the All State Festival in March. Congratulations to all the SHS Central District students!