Norwell High School Music

Fall BAND and JAZZ Concert

October 30th, 2025

Scroll down for Conversations with students

PERSONNEL

SYMPHONIC BAND

Flute

Nathan Cotter

Anna Forcier

Millie Kue

Alexis Raymond

Clarinet

Nicholas Boyden

Leo Bretsch

Leah Cleverly

Baritone Saxophone

Trystan Sheridan

Trumpet

Andrew Egan

Maya Foy

Maggie Hawk

Tobey Henrichsen

Alana Hinchey

Trombone

Reid Garland

Euphonium

Anthony Danais

Percussion

Holden Burns

Mason Crain

WIND ENSEMBLE

Flute

Edeeleen Leung

Eloise Perniola

Rose Salvador

Briana Yee

Clarinet

Tommy Davis

Julia Hennessey

Tess Murphy

Bass Clarinet

Anwar Fawzi

Alto Saxophone

Stella Chan

Evie Donovan

Liam Foy

Tenor Saxophone

James Bass

Baritone Saxophone

Kristopher Young

Horn

Thomas Donovan

Trumpet

Isabelle Bugaoan

Lily Coyle

Felix Kue

Sophia Schauber

Trombone

Ruby Carroll-Millins

Nathan Hu

Euphonium/Tuba

Izzy Robertson

Percussion

Braden Barros

Connor Gorman

Elin Gorman

James Mikus

Ellie Williams

JAZZ WORKSHOP

Guitar

Madison Glynn

Izzy Robertson

Vanessa Robles

Bass

Brendan McQuaid

JAZZ ENSEMBLE

Reeds

Henry Davies

Tommy Davis

Matt McAlear

Ticket Mott

Gabriel Murray

Brass

Mason Holmes

Joe Marinilli

Ben McAlear

Andrew Park

Rhythm

Holden Carey

Aine Clarke

Travis Greenberg

Amalia Niblack

CONVERSATIONS WITH STUDENTS

You play one instrument here and at least one other instrument outside of band - or you’ve switched instruments to get to where you are now.  Talk about that process and the different experiences you’ve had (or still are having) with each instrument.  

In my experience, musical ability and knowledge transfers between mediums quite smoothly.  It’s quite fun to learn something new and see how it translates over! I started on trombone and switched to the French horn, both due to the need for horn players, and for its beautiful and rich sound. I love playing the horn and switching was a great decision! Transitioning was challenging, but I had great fun with it! The mouthpiece is much smaller and the embouchure was greatly different. The slide to rotor transition was also difficult, as I had to learn to play a whole new way!  (Thomas Donovan)

I have learned several different ways to approach actually learning a new piece of music. When I started the violin at a young age, I almost exclusively learned how to play music by ear. This taught me how to internalize rhythms and think about the overall sound of the music rather than how “correct” it was. Transitioning to the clarinet in band was very different. Apart from the obvious functional differences of the instruments, there were many things to learn such as reading sheet music and playing in a large group. I am very grateful to have explored different methods of making music, and I think it has made me more well rounded as someone who loves listening to and playing music. (Tess Murphy)

What was it like making the move from eighth grade band or Symphonic Band to Wind Ensemble?  How are things different - or the same?  Is there anything that has surprised you, either about the class or about yourself?

The band setting in Symphonic Band is more easygoing and there is a lot more leniency. In Wind Ensemble, there is more rigidity with sound quality and speed, with more focus on intonation, dynamics and melody. Something that has surprised me about the class is how, despite the higher performance pressure in Wind Ensemble, the stress level of the class is extremely low allowing a suitable playing environment for everyone. (Lily Coyle)

Moving from eighth grade band directly to Wind Ensemble has allowed me to appreciate several of the benefits of music in high school. As a percussionist, I am now able to play with higher quality instruments, as well as improve more during a single class, because of the help from more experienced bandmates as well as the director. Classes are also more organized and productive than they were in middle school, making an overall better experience for me. (James Mikus)

As a former eighth grade trumpet player, moving from a new band room to meeting new people was a whole different experience coming straight to Wind Ensemble.  Instead of meeting every other day, we meet almost every day, which allows us to be more active and practice frequently.  Surprisingly, the pieces we play are also much more complex and exciting to play.  They vary in different genres of music that challenge one’s ability.  The experiences in the band room will help me improve on my overall playing and expand my interest in music itself. (Izzy Bugaoan)

You applied for the Tri-M Music Honor Society this year.  What was that process like? 

The Tri-M application process was fairly straightforward, consisting of a written application and a recording of a performed piece. The application took some thinking back to when I was younger than I am now, and the open response took a decent while to write but the prompt wasn’t necessarily difficult.  As for the recording itself, my group was on a time crunch to record our piece so as the clock ticked down I got a bit nervous about whether or not we could get it done in time, but it turned out to be fine and we successfully recorded a copy of our performance that we were satisfied with. Overall the application process requires consistent effort and discipline, so at its core it’s not terribly complicated, but definitely not something that you start preparing for a week before auditions. (Topher Young)

The application process was simple and easy to follow. It was well structured and I was more stressed about it than I needed to be. I was working with a friend for my audition which made it good for collaboration and communication. The recording was the most time consuming part because we wanted to make sure that we were happy with the recording we submitted. The written portion was good because it allowed me to think back and reflect about my music journey as a whole. The application does take effort, patience, and thoughtfulness, but it was fun and I enjoyed the learning experience. (Briana Yee)

As a senior: How have things changed for you as a musician over the last four years?  What are you thinking about now that you’re entering your last concert season here?  What advice would you give to fourth grade you?

Having been in the music department the past four years, I can say confidently that music - especially the atmosphere of Wind Ensemble - has shaped me into the person I am today.  Freshman year I started in Symphonic Band, afraid of hitting the correct notes and blending in well. Now as a senior, I've learned that music is about connection and how we all work together. As we approach the final concert, I'm realizing how much I will miss sharing music in this atmosphere, but I am so excited to see what else there is to discover. Also, I would like to thank JOB and all my past and present peers for making my love for music so special. (Rose Salvador)

Over the last four years, I have gotten a lot more confident in my playing, and I have also gotten a bit better. I am thinking about whether I would like to continue to play music in college, and also how the band is going to do next year with all the new people that will be coming in. Some advice that I would like to give to a fourth grade me is to stick with it - band gets a lot better in high school. Also, invest in Bitcoin and keep working hard in school. (Connor Gorman)

It is so bittersweet realizing that we only have 3 more concerts, whereas when I first started saxophone in 4th grade, it seemed as though the concerts would never run out. To my fourth grade self, I would say that practicing is worth it. Once you don’t have to think about the notes and fingerings, you truly get to enjoy the music that you are making with everyone. Concerts are such a unifying and uplifting feeling that is so unique to the band program. (Stella Chan)

I started my first band class my freshmen year and I’ve learned the joy that comes when working with others in music. I remember being very terrified and not knowing what to expect. I’ve learned so much about music in general, especially regarding instrumentation and the varieties of Latin music. (Ellie Williams)

As we enter our last concert season, I am realizing how much I will miss the community we have. I am realizing how much this class has shaped me into the person that I have become, and how much I value the friendships that have been made because of band. I have been reflecting on the skills and lessons I've learned through being in band, not just the ones related to music, but also those that apply to life, and how grateful I am to have had those experiences. (Braden Barros)

I started as the only freshman in the Wind Ensemble, and it was terrifying. In sophomore year I was in the Jazz Workshop, and the smaller and more low key environment was better for me. My junior year, a band class didn’t fit into my schedule. Now, I’m back in the Wind Ensemble as one of the seniors I was scared of. I’m grateful for all band class has taught me in addition to music making—dedication, discipline, patience, and perseverance. (Evie Donovan)

UPCOMING MUSIC EVENTS

Thursday, December 4: TRI-M Induction Ceremony

Thursday, December 18: Winter Choral/Guitar Concert

Thursday, January 15: Winter Band/Jazz Concert

SPECIAL THANKS TO

Mr. Matthew Keegan, Dr. Meredith Erickson, Mr. Warren McCallum, Mr. Marc Bender, Mrs. Jennifer Greenberg, Mr. Matthew Marani, Mr. JJ Niamkey, the NHS Faculty, Staff and Custodians, Stephanie Barry, Liza Gagnon, Mary Jo Running, Glenn Silvia (Goulet & Co.), NorwellArts, the Jesse Stiglich Music School, South Shore Conservatory, and, most of all, our unfailingly supportive parents, families and friends.

NOTE

PLEASE TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES DURING THE PERFORMANCE.  No smoking is allowed on school premises.  Audience members who must leave before the conclusion of the program are asked to do so only between program items in order not to disturb the performers or other audience members.  Norwell High School is an inclusive community that does not endorse any particular religion or faith.  The programming of music representing any specific faith is done for purely artistic and educational reasons and is not meant nor should be construed as such an endorsement.