Wolf Benefit Concert: The Lovestruck Balladeers

We had a packed house for our Wolf Benefit Concert featuring ANMS alumnus Dennis Lichtman and The Lovestruck Balladeers. Their unique repertoire of ragtime, jazz, and songs from around the world filled ANMS with beautiful music and brought smiles to every face. Our Wolf Benefit Concerts honor the legacy of late ANMS director Andrew Wolf, who championed the live music series.

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Hannah Messenger
Faculty/Board Welcome Back Picnic

Our faculty, staff, and board kicked off the 2024-2025 year with a welcome back picnic. Our teaching artists are the heart of our school, and we are always striving to strengthen our community and build connections amongst our faculty. Bringing everyone together for food, friendship, and fun is just one way we show our appreciation.

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Hannah Messenger
Summer Music Explorers 2024

We wrapped up our Summer Music Explorers Program a few weeks ago, and what a joy! The Festival Day performance featured an original musical about an intergalactic battle of the bands, the importance of appreciating neighbors, and ultimately, coming together as friends. Quite the mix of ideas—and our Explorers pulled it off fabulously!

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Hannah Messenger
Music in May 2024 Photo Wrap-Up

Thank you everyone for all of the hard work you put into this year’s Music in May Festival, proud doesn’t begin to cover how we feel! Whether you attended to support another musician or to perform, it was a fabulous celebration of a year of learning and music-making and we’re thrilled to share snapshots from our day!

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Chloe Francis
Paulette's Retirement Gala

The retirement gala, attended by over 250 guests, including former students, music luminaries, ANMS alumni, friends, family, ANMS supporters, and colleagues of Paulette, was a testament to her impact. The event saw musical performances, heartfelt speeches, and toasts. A highlight of the evening was an incredible video tribute, lovingly compiled by her husband Dennis Alves, her children Patrick, Liam, and Katherine, along with Tracey Goodwin, and produced by family friend Stella Gould.

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Amelia Parks
Never Miss a Beat: Music Education During COVID

Many of us are familiar with the process of learning piano, guitar, or voice. We bet many in the community have pianos, digital keyboards, or guitars at home, and we all have a voice for singing.

What about the process to begin learning a band or orchestra instrument?

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Evan Haas
Team Sports and Music Ensembles

Learning teamwork does not always require a helmet: Like sports, making music is an incredible team effort. Creating music as a group requires dedication and practice with a private instructor as well as rehearsals with your school band or orchestra. Music rehearsals promote good listening and communication skills and provide youth with a real understanding of personal responsibility. Nothing inspires self-motivated instrument practice like an upcoming ensemble performance. Every member of the music team is valuable and plays their part to bring a symphony or song to life. Playing the final note of a concert elicits the same pride and thrill as scoring a touchdown, goal, or basket.

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Adult Learners: Spring Into Music!

Spring is a time of great excitement. The weather is warming and we are all eager to end our long winter hibernation.

You may have a to-do-list ready with items like spring cleaning, adding flowers to your garden, or even plan a few weekend trips. However, there may be one thing on your spring to-do-list that, perhaps, has been simmering for a few years, if not decades, in the back of your mind: to finally pick up the instrument you have always wanted to learn, and begin the journey of mastering something new.

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Evan Haas
My New Year's Resolution

The start of a new year is always a time of great reflection. A season of possibilities and what-could-be. The annual tradition of formulating New Year's Resolutions is something many of us partake in, even if it is an unconscious effort.

Among the biggies each year: "I want to... eat healthily, read more, hit the gym, travel..."

However, there is one resolution that, perhaps, has been simmering for a few years, if not decades, in the back of your mind: to finally pick up the instrument you have always wanted to learn, and begin the journey of mastering something new.

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Evan Haas