Huzzah!

The Westbrook High School Chamber Singers brought joy and delight to staff and residents of the Scandinavian and Evans Park Senior Living Centers in Newton, MA during their annual April Tour, which took place in Boston, MA this past weekend. As the students entered each facility, dressed in their floor-length black dresses and tuxedos, the residents and staff smiled and commented on their professional appearance. While the students warmed up, the residents, some in walkers and some in wheelchairs, settled into the common area, eagerly awaiting the show. Westbrook's Director of Music, Suzanne Proulx, crafted an itinerary that provided students with the opportunity to learn about Boston’s history and each other.

The vocal ensemble had focus, excitement and inspiration - having spent the previous day touring the USS Constitution, Faneuil Hall, the Tea Party Ships Museum, and attending a performance by the New England Conservatory Symphonic Winds & Chamber Singers at the stunning Jordan Hall. Students commented:

“Having this shared experience helps us perform better as a group.”

“We all learned something about someone in the group that we would not have learned in the classroom.”

The trip also provided the opportunity for students to challenge themselves in diverse ways. For some, it was interacting with members of the group they didn’t know as well. For other students, it was the first time performing in a smaller, more intimate setting compared to the school concerts at the Westbrook Performing Arts Center. Others used it as an opportunity to try something new. Student’s shared:

“It was a really good experience for me, getting more familiar and comfortable with the group.”

“I pushed myself to do a solo even though I have extreme stage fright. I was shaking the whole time.”

“It was great to perform somewhere new, to bring our skills to a new audience.”

The Chamber Singers performed an eclectic program with pieces from throughout the 20th century and modern day. Click here to listen to one of the performances.

“It felt so good to make the residents so happy. They really appreciated us being there, and that was really rewarding.”

The program traversed genres, ranging from classical pieces to folk, country, jazz, blues, and pop. The program offered something for everyone. The residents couldn’t resist singing along to “All of Me” and moving along to “Sway.” The joy among students, chaperones, residents, and staff was palpable. The student’s reflected and remarked:

“It was awesome to see people light up during the performance when we sang a song they recognized.”

“It was a very gratifying experience. It felt like I was doing good. I was using my skill of singing to brighten people’s lives.”

“I loved spending time with the residents after the performance. One of the residents was 102 years old.”

“The residents were anticipating our performance; they were excited. I met a man from Romania who was a Holocaust survivor. It was an honor to sing for him.”

Thank you to the Westbrook Music community who fundraised to make this trip possible. Thank you to all who donated. Thank you to the Senior Centers who welcomed the students. Thank you to the chaperones and the group’s bus driver, Clyde. Thank you to Ms. Proulx for all the planning required to make the trip a success. And lastly, thank you to the incredible Westbrook High School Chamber Singers. You performed so well, experienced rich history and culture, and helped spread joy to so many. We are in awe of your talent, character and all you have done to get here. You did good in so many ways. Huzzah to you all!

Meet the Drum Major: Jaslyn "Jazzy" Alcide

As the 2024 Drum Major for the Westbrook High School Marching Band, Jaslyn Alcide—known to us all as Jazzy—leads her peers with a blend of passion, dedication, and vision. A multi-talented musician, Jazzy's musical journey spans beyond the podium. From playing flute in the Wind Ensemble to exploring instruments like trombone, guitar, and banjo in various ensembles, she’s deeply embedded in the Westbrook music community. Her aspirations of becoming a band director and composer fuel her leadership style, and she carries a deep personal connection to this year’s show, "Legacy," which honors the late Jeff Smith.

In this exclusive interview, Jazzy opens up about her role as Drum Major, her reflections on this season, and what it takes to lead a marching band that strives for greatness. Let’s dive into her insights!

Can you tell us a little about yourself? What are your future career aspirations? 

I want to be a band director of a school with a marching band and to be a composer. 

What instrument do you currently play? What musical activities are you a part of?

I’m a flute player. I’m in Jazz Ensemble where I get to play trombone, Wind Ensemble where I play flute and sometimes piccolo, marching band where I’m the drum major but I also marched flute for 2 years and piccolo for 2 years, I’m in Winter Guard where I’ve spun flag and rifle, and I’m in PATH’s where I get to play a different array of instruments like guitar, piano/synth, banjo, and tenor sax.  

Can you tell us what it's like to be the Drum Major for the Westbrook High School Marching Band?

Being the Drum Major at Westbrook can be both nerve-wracking and reassuring, on one side you know that your band can be great but it’s knowing how to pull that greatness out of the kids. 

This year’s show, Legacy, holds a special meaning for the band. What does it mean to you personally?

The show Legacy personally means a lot to me. I was taught by Jeff for 4 years and I feel honored that I get to conduct the show that is in honor of him. Jeff was able to make a huge impact on my life as he did on many others. Jeff was truly able to make the Marching Band here at Westbrook something special. I will never be able to forget how Jeff helped me find a place where I truly belong.  

What’s the most rewarding part of working with the rest of the band as their leader? 

The most rewarding part of being the leader of the band is being able to connect with kids I would’ve normally interacted with if I hadn’t done marching band and being able to make them feel welcome. 

What are your goals for the band as you prepare for the US Bands National Championships?

As we prepare for US Bands my goal for the marching band is to really become like a close family, that everyone is giving as much energy as they personally can into performing the show, and that no one can look back and wish they had done more while they were still doing this show. 

What advice would you give to someone who’s interested in becoming a Drum Major in the future?

The advice I would give someone who’s interested in becoming a Drum Major in the future is to make sure you try to connect with each section of the band. If you’re able to connect with every section, even in the smallest way, you’re able to have a deeper understanding of each section and work.  

If you could sum up this marching band season in one word, what would it be and why?

I would sum up this marching season with the word “Strength” because it takes a lot of strength for the vets to be able to adapt to marching band without Jeff and just go with it. It takes the rookies a lot of strength to come in and have to be able to keep up with marching like a vet and learning their music and memorizing it in this setting. 

Watch Jazzy lead the band at the MBDA competition at Marshwood High School on October 19th!

Honoring a Legacy: A Tribute to Jeff Smith Through Our 2024 Marching Band Show

The week after our 2023 marching band season concluded, we were devastated by the loss of Jeff Smith, who tragically passed away in a car accident. Jeff's impact on the music profession, and especially on our school and community, was profound. His sudden absence has left us all grappling with grief, but also with the opportunity for healing and reflection. Our 2024 show, titled Legacy, is a heartfelt tribute to Jeff’s remarkable career as both a teacher and a leader to so many.

The show is composed of six parts, each telling a different aspect of Jeff’s story and the legacy he leaves behind.

I. The Leader of the Band We begin by setting the mood with an homage to Jeff. A student loosely portrays Jeff, capturing his spirit and presence. This part is dedicated to the lasting influence he had on our band and how he led with passion and purpose.

II. Choose Joy This section bursts onto the scene with energy, reflecting Jeff's belief that even in times of grief, we should “Choose Joy.” In a way that mirrors Jeff's sometimes startling way of addressing the band, this part begins suddenly, catching the audience off guard and reminding us that joy was always at the heart of his teaching.

III. Yankee Doodle In 1990, Jeff took the Norwalk High School Band to the Rose Bowl Parade, making them the first band from Connecticut to participate. To honor this achievement, he arranged Yankee Doodle, Connecticut’s state song. In our show, we use a treatment of the melody in the style of Morton Gould, with a middle section that portrays the actual parade route, allowing the band to march by in tribute to Jeff’s work.

IV. Clarinet Concerto (Artie Shaw) Jeff was an avid clarinet player and a lifelong jazz educator. This simple blues piece is a nod to his deep love for both jazz and the clarinet, a symbol of his musical expertise and passion for sharing music with others.

V. Time to Say Goodbye Our ballad, Time to Say Goodbye, is a touching tribute that incorporates parts of Canterbury Chorale, Jeff’s favorite band piece. The melody begins with our clarinet section and grows into a full band performance, creating a moment where every player becomes part of one unified “clarinet section,” honoring Jeff’s memory together

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VI. Recap: Choose Joy We close the show with a return to Choose Joy, signifying that Jeff would want us all to continue moving forward, choosing joy, and working hard to create our own legacies. This final part embodies Jeff’s belief that each student should find their own path and leave their mark, just as he did.

This show is more than just a performance—it’s a message of resilience, a tribute to a beloved leader, and a reminder that even in the face of loss, joy and legacy endure. We are incredibly grateful for the support and feedback from our students, staff, and community as we honor Jeff's memory.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us.