The Nashoba Symphonic Band, a program of the Nashoba Regional High School Friends of Music, supported by the local Arts Councils of Bolton, Lancaster, Stow, Berlin, Clinton, Ashby and Lunenberg, is planning an exciting series of events on May 2nd and 3rd, climaxing in a gala symphonic band concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 4th in the auditorium of Nashoba Regional High School.
In celebration of the building of the new Nashoba Regional High School as well as the recent change of mascot to “Nashoba Wolves”, the Nashoba Symphonic Band has commissioned a new piece, The Wolves of Nashoba, from eminent composer, Robert Sheldon. The May 4th concert will be the World Premiere of this stirring work.
All events will be held in the auditorium of Nashoba Regional High School, Rte 117 (12 Green Road GPS), Bolton MA and are Free of Charge.
EXCITING FESTIVAL EVENTS – ALL FREE!
Friday, May 2 at 7 p.m. “Local History Talks and Chats”
The Festival opens on Friday, May 2nd at 7 p.m. With “Local History Talks and Chats,” an evening of presentations by local historians. The featured speakers will be Nashoba Regional High School U.S. History teacher, Timothy Castner speaking on King Philip’s War, Victoria Hatchell, Special Collections and Archives Librarian at the Thayer Memorial Library in Lancaster, and Mark Bodanza of the Leominster Historical Society.
Music for the evening, beginning at 6:45, will be provided by the Nashoba Symphonic Band Clarinet Choir and include Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll, as well as works by Beethoven and Gabrieli.
Saturday, May 3 at 7 p.m. “The Devil and Daniel Webster”
On Saturday evening, May 3rd at 7 pm, the Festival offers a radio-play version of Stephen Vincent Benet’s classic one-acter, The Devil and Daniel Webster (with permission of Dramatists Play Service) ‘broadcast’ by the Little Wolf Players. The cast includes NRHS students, Jane Dailey, Alyssa Poch, Zain Khan, Ishaan Adhikary, Jacob Paul, Melody Robin and Audrey Blesik. The play tells the story of the nearly-local, Daniel Webster’s clever courtroom defeat of none-other-than Old Scratch (guess who!). The ‘broadcast’ is given in the form of a old-time radio play.
Also on the program is the NSB Chamber Ensemble performance of a rousing instrumental suite from the 1952 comic opera The Good Soldier Schweik, by Robert Kurka, based on the satirical novel of Joseph Hasek. A pre-performance concert will begin at 6:15, featuring selections by the NSB Brass Choir, including the Fanfare from La Peri by Paul Dukas and one of the first performances of Three Miniatures for Brass Quintet by William Nicholson.
Sunday, May 4 at 3 p.m. “The Wolves of Nashoba” Festival Concert
World Premiere of work by Robert Sheldon
The Nashoba Symphonic Band, under the direction of David Wayne Bailey, will present the World Premiere of “The Wolves of Nashoba,” commissioned for the band by eminent composer, Robert Sheldon. Other works on the program include music by Persichetti’s Chorale Prelude: Turn Not Thy Face, Freischutz Quickstep by Grafulla, Elgar’s Nimrod and Alfred Reed’s setting of the music from Mary Poppins, as well as marches by Sousa and W.Paris Chambers. Also expect a guest appearance by the Stow Colonial Fife and Drum Corps!
SPECIAL PRE-CONCERT LUNCHEON! in the NRHS Auditorium lobby from one until two-thirty, consisting of sandwich makings, salads and light desserts. The cost is $15 for adults, $10 seniors and students. Reservations are highly recommended which we will be accepting through Sunday, April 27th. Please send individual names or a group planning to attend (with a check made payable to NRHS Friends of Music) to Nashoba Friends of Music, Nashoba Regional High School, 12 Green Road Bolton MA 01740. Please include an email address so we can confirm the reservation. Tickets will be waiting at the door.
Please note that all “Wolves of Nashoba” events are wheelchair accessible. It is recommended that you notify us if you require additional seating consideration for any of the events so we are able to best serve your needs. Please address all questions and concerns to David Bailey
dbailey@nrsd.net.