News Archive
Warrior Marching Band at the Red Sox
September 21, 2015
The Wakefield Warrior Marching Band played at the Red Sox game on Monday September 21, 2015. See the Gallery for photos and performance video.
The Wakefield Warrior Marching Band played at the Red Sox game on Monday September 21, 2015. See the Gallery for photos and performance video.
Record Collection for the Food Drive!
September 19, 2015
The Wakefield High School Warrior Marching Band Collected 10,300 items for the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry. This was a record number of items and a 47% increase over the amount collected last year. Thank you to all of the students and parents who participated! For photos of the days events, see our Gallery.
The Wakefield High School Warrior Marching Band Collected 10,300 items for the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry. This was a record number of items and a 47% increase over the amount collected last year. Thank you to all of the students and parents who participated! For photos of the days events, see our Gallery.
WHS Alumni Concert and GMS Summer Jazz Band Camp
June 25, 2015
On June 25th, many WHS Alumni came back to put on a Chorale and Jazz Band Concert. There were alums from 2010-2015. The performed many of their favorite pieces from the past which featured solos from several individuals. Thank you Mr. Bankert and Mx. Morel for putting this fabulous evening of music together in such a short time.
The GMS held their Summer Jazz Band Camp under the direction of Mr. Morel. With the assistance of Mr. Sheldon and some high school alumni, they worked with students in grades 5-8 on various types of jazz music and improvisation. The week ended with a concert showcasing six pieces of music.
If you missed these concerts you can view them online at this site: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzpQDCxMdq5wN-yb5VsQDWw
On June 25th, many WHS Alumni came back to put on a Chorale and Jazz Band Concert. There were alums from 2010-2015. The performed many of their favorite pieces from the past which featured solos from several individuals. Thank you Mr. Bankert and Mx. Morel for putting this fabulous evening of music together in such a short time.
The GMS held their Summer Jazz Band Camp under the direction of Mr. Morel. With the assistance of Mr. Sheldon and some high school alumni, they worked with students in grades 5-8 on various types of jazz music and improvisation. The week ended with a concert showcasing six pieces of music.
If you missed these concerts you can view them online at this site: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzpQDCxMdq5wN-yb5VsQDWw
Congratulations Seniors
Congratulations to the class of 2015 Seniors! We want to wish you all the best with your future endeavors. We will miss you all!
"Music in the soul can be heard by the universe."
- Lao Tzu
"Music in the soul can be heard by the universe."
- Lao Tzu
2015 VPAD
Thank you to all the parent volunteers for helping out with this year's performance. We couldn't have done it without you. It's great to see all the younger students enjoying the performances by the high school students. Pictures have been posted to our Photo Gallery page. If you didn't get a chance to see the performances here are some videos from that day.
String Ensemble - http://youtu.be/NUR0BZjQ5nA
Jazz Band - https://youtu.be/GRALjVypQGQ
Chorale - http://youtu.be/KnxySXgqBLY
WHS Drama - https://youtu.be/zLT3ueZhF08
WHS Drama - http://youtu.be/3YyXwwsaBmY
Voices of Steel - http://youtu.be/TGswQ5SqaXs
Wind Ensemble - http://youtu.be/WiB13GAadYk
Thank you to all the parent volunteers for helping out with this year's performance. We couldn't have done it without you. It's great to see all the younger students enjoying the performances by the high school students. Pictures have been posted to our Photo Gallery page. If you didn't get a chance to see the performances here are some videos from that day.
String Ensemble - http://youtu.be/NUR0BZjQ5nA
Jazz Band - https://youtu.be/GRALjVypQGQ
Chorale - http://youtu.be/KnxySXgqBLY
WHS Drama - https://youtu.be/zLT3ueZhF08
WHS Drama - http://youtu.be/3YyXwwsaBmY
Voices of Steel - http://youtu.be/TGswQ5SqaXs
Wind Ensemble - http://youtu.be/WiB13GAadYk
Jazz Night Concert
(additional pictures and videos posted)
Family and friends once again filled the Savings Bank Theatre for the Jazz Night Concert. The evening started off with Wakefield High School's Jazz II Ensemble performing 'S'Wonderful', 'Afro Blue', 'Shadow of Your Smile' and 'Foot Pattin' Time'. The Galvin Middle School Jazz Ensemble then took the stage and played 'Blues in Hoss Flat', 'The Creole Love Call' and 'Second Line (Joe Avery Blues)'. The evening ended with the Wakefield High School Jazz I Ensemble. They performed 'Count Bubba', 'I Remember Clifford' and 'Black Bottom Stomp'. Congratulations to all the students for a wonderful performance! Pictures are posted from the evening's event. Click here or go to our Photo Gallery page.
WHS Jazz II performance - http://youtu.be/z0_bGbVwZ-E
GMS Jazz performance - https://youtu.be/9YI9pwt8dP8
WHS Jazz I performance - http://youtu.be/Rg4VWaf1sk4
WHS Jazz II performance - http://youtu.be/z0_bGbVwZ-E
GMS Jazz performance - https://youtu.be/9YI9pwt8dP8
WHS Jazz I performance - http://youtu.be/Rg4VWaf1sk4
Congratulations Voices of Steel
On Friday, January 30 the Wakefield High School A Cappella group, Voices of Steel stole the show at the NE Voices competition at Wilmington High School. Among the eight competing groups, the Voices of Steel won the night and received the honor to open for the featured artist, The Edge Effect, at the Saturday night concert. Individual awards were also given to Adam Tarpey and Emily Cierpial for Best Song Arrangement and to Liam Dailey for Best Male Soloist. Voices of Steel will be competing again this Saturday at the ICHSA New England competition at 7:00PM at Plymouth North High School.
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2014 Galvin Middle School Re-Dedication Ceremony
Saturday, Nov. 15, the Galvin Middle School was re-dedicated to General John Galvin. Lots of Wakefield residents took a tour of the new school before the ceremony began. Many of General Galvin's family and friends were there to partake in the re-dedication. The ceremony started with the Wakefield High Shool Chamber Singers performing the "National Anthem". The Wakefield High School Wind Ensemble later performed "Armed Forces - The Pride of America"
and the ceremony closed with the Wakefield High School Concert Band performing the world premiere of "Edge of Destiny", a composition commissioned by the Wakefield Music Boosters.
Saturday, Nov. 15, the Galvin Middle School was re-dedicated to General John Galvin. Lots of Wakefield residents took a tour of the new school before the ceremony began. Many of General Galvin's family and friends were there to partake in the re-dedication. The ceremony started with the Wakefield High Shool Chamber Singers performing the "National Anthem". The Wakefield High School Wind Ensemble later performed "Armed Forces - The Pride of America"
and the ceremony closed with the Wakefield High School Concert Band performing the world premiere of "Edge of Destiny", a composition commissioned by the Wakefield Music Boosters.
2014 Food Pantry Collection
Thank you to all the parents who helped with the food collection. This year the Marching Band collected 3,544 food items for the food pantry. The winning section was the trumpets and trombones with an average of 77.2 items per person. The band as a whole collected on average 38.9 items per student. Check out photos from this week-end's events on our photo gallery page
2012-2013
'All That Jazz' Concert
The Wakefield High School Jazz Ensemble I and Jazz Ensemble II attended a music clinic given by musicians Geoff Vidal, saxophonist and Tatum Greenblatt, trumpeter. Both ensembles had the privilege of performing with these two wonderful musicians at the 'All That Jazz' concert. This was made possible by the Center of Performing Arts organization and Mr. Tom Bankert. The Savings Bank Theatre at the high school was packed with spectators. It was a great night of music that ended with a standing ovation. Click here for pictures from the performance.
Tatum Greenblatt and Geoff Vidal with WHS Jazz I performing 'Foot Pattin' Time
2013 Jazz Band Performs at the Hatch Shell
I hope everyone had a wonderful mother's day weekend. Sunday started off with some dreary weather but by the time the Jazz Band got on stage they chased the grey skies away and the sun came out! What a beautiful day it was to sit on the Esplanade and enjoy the wonderful music by all the Gold Medal MAJE Jazz Bands.
It was great seeing so many families and friends there. Check out the pictures and performance.
It was great seeing so many families and friends there. Check out the pictures and performance.
WHS Jazz Ensemble
State Finals
Saturday, March 23, 2013
The Jazz Ensemble competition season ended with a GOLD Medal at the MAJE State Finals and an invitation to perform at the Hatch Shell on May 12, 2013. Pieces performed were 'New Blues', 'Such Sweet Thunder' and 'Bill Bailey' featuring solos by Marie Peduto, Caroline Andrews, Lauren Sallade, Mackenzie Mildram, Ethan Barkalow, Ben Li, Pat Sullivan and Dylan Sellers. What an outstanding job the kids did! Congratulations to you all! Also, thanks to all the families and friends who came out to support them at their performances this season. See you all at the Hatch Shell.
If you didn't get a chance to catch the Jazz band perform this season come see them and the other jazz groups at the Jazz Night Concert, Tuesday, April 2, 2013, 7pm at the Savings Bank Theatre at WHS.
If you didn't get a chance to catch the Jazz band perform this season come see them and the other jazz groups at the Jazz Night Concert, Tuesday, April 2, 2013, 7pm at the Savings Bank Theatre at WHS.
2013 - 4th Grade Choral Concert
2013 - String Fling Concert
The first annual String Fling concert was a huge success. What a turn out there was. Extra seats had to be put out for all the family and friends that attended. Each grade showcased their talent with songs that they learned in string class. The evening ended with all students from grades 4 through 12 performing the piece Orpheus in the Underworld together. Check out the pictures from the concert.
Walt Disney World Trip
What a trip to Disney! It started off with some rain but ended with a beautiful hot sunny day! Thank you to Mr. Bankert and staff for giving the students such a great experience performing in Walt Disney World and thank you to all the chaperones who helped out with the trip. All the students had a wonderful time and were pretty tired by the end of the trip. Pictures from the trip are now posted. Videos of the Chorale performance: http://youtu.be/OQks_n7FKi8, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXmsMkHY66A, http://youtu.be/PDwOnOo6FDM. Video of the Orchestra performance: http://youtu.be/abrG4IEuwcI
Alumni Jazz Band Performs at the Beebe Library
Alumni Jazz members and current Jazz members, under the direction of Mr. Bankert, put on a concert at the Beebe Library for the public on July 12th. There was a large crowd of spectators who attended the performance. People driving by even slowed down to listen. A great time was had by all. Thank you Mr. Bankert and all the students for a wonderful evening. Click here for more pictures.
National Independence Day Parade in Washington, DC July 2012
A great time was had by all during our trip to Washington, DC. Our days were filled with visiting the following museums and memorials: National Archives Museum, American History Museum, Natural History Museum, Air and Space Museum, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Korean Memorial, Air and Space Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial and the World War II Memorial.
We had dinner at the Kennedy Center one evening and had a spectacular view of DC from the terrace. The Marching Band also participated in a special U.S. Military Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington Cemetary. We even had time to go to a Washington Nationals baseball game! All the kids endured the 97 degree temperature in full uniform and marched with Pride down Constitution Avenue. What a sight that was!! Fireworks were enjoyed by all on the Capitol's lawn and there were congo lines and lots of dancing too.
Our trip concluded with a tour of the U.S. Capitol building and the Library of Congress. All pictures have been posted. Thank you Mr. Bankert, Mr. Small, Mr. Mertz and all the parent chaperones for a wonderful and memorable trip.
We had dinner at the Kennedy Center one evening and had a spectacular view of DC from the terrace. The Marching Band also participated in a special U.S. Military Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington Cemetary. We even had time to go to a Washington Nationals baseball game! All the kids endured the 97 degree temperature in full uniform and marched with Pride down Constitution Avenue. What a sight that was!! Fireworks were enjoyed by all on the Capitol's lawn and there were congo lines and lots of dancing too.
Our trip concluded with a tour of the U.S. Capitol building and the Library of Congress. All pictures have been posted. Thank you Mr. Bankert, Mr. Small, Mr. Mertz and all the parent chaperones for a wonderful and memorable trip.
WHS 2011-2012 Jazz Ensemble
Congratulations to the WHS Jazz Ensemble. They closed the season by receiving a Silver Medal at the MAJE Sate Finals. Congratulations to Caroline Andrews who received the Outstanding Musician Award. Click here to see pictures from the performance.
Congratulations to the WHS Jazz Ensemble. They closed the season by receiving a Silver Medal at the MAJE Sate Finals. Congratulations to Caroline Andrews who received the Outstanding Musician Award. Click here to see pictures from the performance.
WHS Award Winning 2010-2011Jazz Band
Repeats as Berklee Winner 2011
For the second year in a row, Wakefield High School's Jazz
Band took first place at the 43rd Berklee Jazz Festival. They competed among sixteen bands in the Large Ensemble, Class 4 Division. Their path toward another first place, gold medal finish meant out-playing and out-scoring award winning bands from six different states at the Hynes Convention Center. Mike Russo, a
junior, was honored as one of three outstanding musicians in Class 4 for his trumpet playing. In addition to the prestige of winning the division, Wakefield's Jazz Band will receive four half scholarships for students to participate in summer Berklee programs. It is a rare feat to win the Berklee Competition even once. Wakefield's ability to garner another first place finish is unprecedented and speaks to the depth of talent in the group and the ability of Mr. Tom Bankert to hone and develop that talent into an award winning cohesive ensemble.
Band took first place at the 43rd Berklee Jazz Festival. They competed among sixteen bands in the Large Ensemble, Class 4 Division. Their path toward another first place, gold medal finish meant out-playing and out-scoring award winning bands from six different states at the Hynes Convention Center. Mike Russo, a
junior, was honored as one of three outstanding musicians in Class 4 for his trumpet playing. In addition to the prestige of winning the division, Wakefield's Jazz Band will receive four half scholarships for students to participate in summer Berklee programs. It is a rare feat to win the Berklee Competition even once. Wakefield's ability to garner another first place finish is unprecedented and speaks to the depth of talent in the group and the ability of Mr. Tom Bankert to hone and develop that talent into an award winning cohesive ensemble.
