MARCH 2017
SUMMER 2017 ENROLLING NOW
Join us for summer music!
Some of our programs fill up quickly, so please register early. There's something for all ages and abilities!
THE VOCAL FACTOR: SEE THE FINAL COMPETITION LIVE!
Preliminary Round: 
(for contestants only) 
Saturday, March 4, 6:30 PM call time, 7:00 PM auditions

Competition Round: 
(with live audience) 
Saturday, April 1, 7:30 PM

Join us for our second annual singing competition for WCMS students! Come watch the final contestants perform for our judges (a panel of professional musicians) as a member of our live audience on April 1. First prize in the Senior Division includes a two-hour professionally engineered recording session at WCMS, in-session vocal coaching, and a $100 cash prize. First prize in the Junior Division includes a vocal coaching, plus a $25 iTunes gift card. $10 general admission tickets go on sale March 6, and are available at WCMS or by phone at 781-721-2950.
VIDEO FEATURETTE: SUZUKI AT WCMS
Many of our teaching studios are busy each day with Suzuki piano and violin lessons, and this month our Suzuki teachers are headed to the Massachusetts Suzuki Festival at New England Conservatory! What is Suzuki? Watch our latest video to learn about the Suzuki method, and how WCMS teachers are integrating listening, a nurturing environment, and parent participation in their lessons and classes.
 
CONCERT FOR KIDS! "THE NEW ADVENTURES OF LITTLE MOOK"
Sunday, March 12, 3:00 PM
Come experience a magical world of fairy tales and join us on a new adventure with Little Mook! Winchester Community Music School faculty performers will bring this storybook character to life through music, costumes, dance, and puppets. The program is written and directed by WCMS's own Adriana Ausch, with special guest Phil Berman of the Puppet Showplace Theater. Appropriate for ages 4 and up; $5 general admission. Tickets are available online, in person, or by phone at 781-721-2950. Advance purchase is recommended; tickets are often sold out by the day of the show. Volunteers at the concert receive a free ticket - sign up here!

NIGHT OF 1,000 GUITARS
Thursday, March 16, 7:00 PM
Please join WCMS for a one-of-a-kind multi-media performance featuring the entire WCMS guitar faculty. The performance will feature ONLY string instruments: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, ukulele, bass, and even sitar! With backgrounds in rock, jazz, classical, and world music, our guitar faculty will present a diverse program that includes everything from rock to Bach, collaborating in duos and trios. Each faculty member will have a featured spot and be supported by his fellow faculty members. Some pieces will be enhanced by film and poetry. Reception to follow. Free admission.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR LATEST MMEA FESTIVAL PARTICIPANTS
As always, we're very proud of the WCMS students who audition and are accepted each year to the MMEA festivals. Congratulations to the following students for their successful auditions for Junior Districts: Nadeem Baba, Cynthia Chang, George Gilmer, Molly Kuszewski, Vaikunthan Mathiyalakan, Sarine Meguerditchian, Amigo Morje, Liv Oster, Jack Preston, Elizabeth Sharon, Casey Waldman, and Nina Zhang. We also congratulate Grant MacDonald, who participated in Senior Districts but was missing from our list in January E-Notes. And last but not least, we have two students accepted to the All-State festival: Sam Ran Lee and Emilia Lew. Kudos to all!

We would like to recognize their fantastic teachers and coaches: Heather Bissell, Glenn Dickson, Kyoko Hida, Marina Krickler, Jessica Lizak, Mark Pucci, Norina Rowen, Jeanne Snodgrass, and Sylvie Zakarian.
WRAPPING UP OUR 35TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR AT WCMS
As we wrap up our yearlong celebration of the 35th anniversary of the founding of WCMS, we take a quick look at the not-so-distant past - the 20 years since WCMS moved into 407 Highland Avenue.
  • Since moving into the current building in 1998, the school has continued to expand and improve its infrastructure, including new parking, new office space, upgraded HVAC systems, new computer technology throughout the building, and new musical instruments including several grand pianos.
  • Our founding director, Corie Nichols, passed the reins to our current director, Laurie Russell, in 2001.
  • Fundraising campaigns and strategic planning efforts have contributed to the sustainability, programmatic growth, and long range vision of our organization. Our current strategic priorities are described here.
We look forward to the next 35 years of partnership and music with our community. Thank you for being a part of our family!
Upcoming Events
3/2  Open Mic at Starbucks
3/4  The Vocal Factor - Preliminary Round
3/12  Concert for Kids!
3/14  Blues Jam
3/16  Night of 1,000 Guitars
3/18  2-Piano Concert at Steinert's in Natick
3/19  Auditions for Summer Chamber Music Festival
3/19 St. Patrick's Outreach at Mt. Vernon House

3/24 "Beat of Life" Percussion Showcase
3/25 Auditions for Summer Chamber Music Festival
3/25 Piano Workshop
3/27 Adult Learner Recital
3/30  Summer Programs Expo at Winchester Library

See full events calendar here
 
Teacher Appreciation Week
March 20 - 25, 2017

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming! There are several ways you can help show our teachers how much we all appreciate the amazing work they do!

1) Sign up to contribute a food item for teachers to enjoy at the school during the week (or make a monetary donation for food & supplies - gift cards for Stop & Shop or Whole Foods would be great too!).

2) Write a message for your teacher on the big board in the lobby.
Student Performances
7:00 PM

"Beat of Life" Percussion Showcase
Friday, March 24
7:00 PM 

Free and open to the public!

Music MAYnia 2017
Thank you to everyone who voted for this year's Music MAYnia t-shirt color! The winner, by a significant margin, was SKY. Please save the date and join us for our 13th annual spring festival of music on Sunday, May 7, 1-5 PM. 
WCMS Job Opening
Staff Accountant

WCMS is seeking a part-time Staff Accountant to work a 20-25 hour/week schedule. Application instructions are in the job announcement. 

Staff Accountant position
Volunteers
We gratefully acknowledge the volunteers who assisted us with events in February, and are sending each and every one of you a leprechaun in honor of St. Patrick's Day! (If he doesn't arrive, let us know.) If you'd like to become a volunteer and receive an occasional fairy or unicorn delivery (along with eternal gratitude), please visit our volunteer page !

School Hours
Mon - Thur: 9 AM - 9 PM
Friday: 9 AM - 7:30 PM
Saturday: 8 AM - 5 PM
 
Weather Cancellations
In case of inclement weather, please check our website or call WCMS at 781-721-2950 to verify the status of our classes. Please note: WCMS does NOT follow the weather cancellation decisions of the public schools.
Copyright © 2016 Winchester Community Music School. All Rights Reserved.