For more information, contact:
Contact: Carole Drury
Phone: 882-7767
E-mail: cdrury@wiscassetschools.org
WISCASSET SCHOOLS BUSY WITH ARTS EVENTS THIS SPRING(Wiscasset, ME)
– June 5, 2025
Wiscasset Gathering of the Arts
The Wiscasset schools Visual and Performing Arts department recently presented their annual Spring Gathering of the Arts on May 29th. There was an art exhibit including work from 4th-12th grade students and a concert featuring the Spring Concert Chorus, the Beginning Band, and the Concert Band.
Students grades 4-12 shared a mix of artworks including drawing, painting, color design, photography, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture and more. Several works that traveled around the state this year were honored, including the works that travelled to this year’s Maine Art Gallery student exhibit. The exhibit will be up through June 11th.
Art Educator, Mrs. Chassé announced the recipient of the Ben Crehore Arts Advocacy award was Barbara Wyman, former WES teacher and retired teacher substitute extraordinaire. “Her love of the arts and skills to support continued progress in teacher absence is much appreciated by our community. Students are always excited to find her in for the day- they flock to her for hugs and good wishes. She is a gift to our school community!" She continued, "Special congratulations to Band Director, Marion Hotopp for successfully completing her first year at WMHS! We look forward to years to come of continued growth of our performing arts through your leadership and fostering!"
The concert opened with the chorus, directed by Mrs. Drury. They presented our National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner.” Following that were several other patriotic pieces including “This Land is Your Land,” “How I Love My America” and “Stars and Stripes Forever,” which included a movement routine with each student holding American flags.
Students also sang the patriotic “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” with lyrics written by James Weldon Johnson and music by his brother J. Rosamond Johnson. James Weldon Johnson, was a prominent American writer, civil rights activist and diplomat who was visiting Maine in the summer of 1938 and was involved in a fatal accident at the Wiscasset Railroad Crossing.
Recently, there was a bill made into law officially naming the Railroad Crossing in Wiscasset, the “James Weldon Johnson Railroad Crossing.”
The chorus also sang “Oye” by Jim Papoulis, which was partially in spanish. Fourth and fifth grade students learned this piece to sing along with the Portland Symphony when they recently attended a youth concert at Merrill Auditorium. They finished their portion of the concert with two upbeat songs, “Happiness Runs,” and “Feeling Good” (from the musical, The Roar of the Greasepaint, the Smell of the Crowd).
Following the chorus, Band Director, Ms. Hotopp had various grade-level instrumental groups play several introduction songs to the band portion of the concert, and then the elementary beginning band students took the stage to show off their new skills. They played several familiar melodies as well as the spirited “Hard Rock Blues.”
The Concert Band opened with “Guardians of the Canyon,” A song about an ancient civilization in the American Southwest. This was followed by “Air of Nobility,” Which featured the clarinet section. Next was “Voyage of the Dragon Armada,” A flexible four part song in which everyone had an independent melody. The final performance was “The Sound and the Fury” which featured the Saxophone section on the melody.
Wiscasset Wormfest
The Wiscasset Middle High School band also wowed the audience on May 31st at the Wiscasset Wormfest by opening the day’s festivities with “The Star Spangled Banner.” Despite the rain, the band students played with enthusiasm and pride as they kicked off a very special event for our town.
Augusta State House Performance
The Wiscasset Elementary School chorus also had another recent special performance. They were invited to perform “Star Spangled Banner” on the Senate floor at the State House in Augusta on June 3rd to open the day’s legislative session.. After that performance, they sang their patriotic music in the Capitol Rotunda for all who were visiting the State House that day. Students met Senator Rachel Talbot Ross, Senator Cameron Reny and Representative Wayne Farrin who were gracious hosts, even allowing each student to step up to the Senate rostrum and bang the gavel, as well as providing a tour of the State House. The chorus was thrilled to have such an extraordinary opportunity!
The Wiscasset Visual and Performing Arts faculty and students would like to thank the Wiscasset community for their continued support of art and music in our schools. Congratulations to all participating students on successful spring art exhibits and performances!
