Student News
March 2008
Kindergarten Program Receives International Recognition
The Kindergarten Art Program, guided by Avis Goldstein, has received international recognition from Tate Modern Museum in London, for their interpretations of "Swinging" by Wassily Kandinsky. Kandinsky's 1925 "Swinging" oil of board, was purchased by Tate in 1979. After Avis submitted the student's interpretations of the painting, the museum responded with a letter stating "It has been an absolute honour to have had the opportunity to see such wonderful works or art from very talented young artists from the South Shore Conservatory Kindergarten in Hingham, Massachusettts." The Tate also sent an amazing curriculum guide for Kandinsky, that is distributed and practiced throughout Britain's primary schools. Bravo Avis and students!
February 2008
Corbin Foucart Performs with Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra
Congratulations to Corbin Foucart on his extraordinary performance at the Conservatory’s 20th annual Concerto Competition. As the overall winner, Corbin, a student of Hui-Min Wang, performs the 3rd Movement of Beethoven’s 3rd Piano Concerto with the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra at their Family Concert on March 2, 2008, 3 pm at Memorial Hall in Plymouth. Corbin is a 15-year-old freshman at Norwell High School who began playing the piano six years ago. He also plays the organ and harpsichord and is a member on his school's debate, chess, robotics, math and swim teams.
December 2007
Conservatory Students Invited to Perform with Internationally-Known Band
The folk/rock band Sister Hazel is performing at the Somerville Theater on December 1 and they have invited students from South Shore Conservatory to perform with the band. Two student groups, a 9-person string ensemble and a vocal group, will provide backup for the band during the concert. The chorus includes Conservatory students Emmy Giarrusso, Rebecca Dickinson, Hannah McKenney, Jenny Magruder, Alison Bandera, Susannah Thornton and Alex Nuesse. Joining the singers are Hingham High School students Grant Ryan, Michael O’Neill, David Dupee, and Toby Walters, plus Marshfield High School student Gavin Gangi. Performing on strings are BaYS students Eliza Tyack, Chris Henderson, Carly Oddleifson, Sophia Jannetty, Zida Li, Maria Varonko, David King, Cameron Poole and Viviane Dougherty.
Sister Hazel has been around for the past decade and has enjoyed international success. Some call their music roots rock or American rock, but the music Sister Hazel makes is definitely not alternative or modern rock; they are not emo, screamo, anything-core or flavor-of-the-moment. Their music is solid and satisfying, comfortable and easy, like old friends and family. Sister Hazel is equally serious about the charity work that they do, raising over half a million dollars through concerts and silent auctions of handwritten lyrics held to benefit the Lyrics for Life charity they founded: funds raised go to help children and adults battling cancer. The group hosts five to six events per year, where Sister Hazel and artists like Elton John, the Beastie Boys, Jessica Simpson, Tim McGraw, Stone Temple Pilots, Barenaked Ladies, Aerosmith, Kid Rock, R.E.M., and many more have assisted in the Lyrics for Life cause.
Steinway Grand Piano Masterclass and Concert Event
Congratulations to Hui-Min Wang and her students who presented a masterclass at Pembroke High School to welcome the school’s new Steinway piano. SSC pianists who took part included Antonia Benedetto, Gina Benedetto, Diana Chen, Ilve Bayturk, Corbin Foucart, Miles Morin and Treen Marquis. Hui-Min reports that the event was quite a success, attracting more than 200 music students. SSC trustee Barbara Clifford and overseer Larry Smith were both present to support Hui-Min and the students. In the evening gala concert Hui-Min performed Chopin’s Scherzo, No. 1 in B Minor Op. 20, and Selections of Preludes and Etudes Tableaux of Rachmaninoff.