By Jake Faghan, ’23

Staff Writer

For athletes, the goal is taking your team to the championship game. For musicians, the equivalent of the “big game” is SEMSBA. The Southeastern Massachusetts School Bandmasters Association involves about 30 towns and 250 student musicians. Students are divided up to form chorus, jazz, orchestral and concert ensembles. It’s a huge moment for the performing arts, as schools come together to create emotion and life, and to form an even stronger community as musicians and singers. 

For SEMSBA 2023 at Middleborough High School March 17-18, Hanover High School sent a strong contingent: seniors Emily Dillon (trumpet), Cassie Lopes (french horn), Owen Forrand (vocals – bass), Andrew Keegan (vocals – bass) and myself (bassoon); juniors Aidan O’Connor (trombone) and Abby Lamb (vocals-alto); and sophomore Brian Tawa (timpani).

To qualify for SEMSBA, students must first audition. In addition to preparing the audition piece they are given, they practice their scales and sight reading (the act of playing a song for the first few times and interpreting it based on what’s on the paper and what one believes it should sound like), as the judges will ask them to play a small piece they have never seen before. HHS music teachers Mr. Harden and Mr. Wade shepherded students through the process. This year, roughly 400 students from across the region tried out, and as is a common theme, it was so amazing to see so many other musicians. The process itself was enjoyable too. It was more of an evaluation instead of harsh grading. There was only one judge so it was easier to think of it as practicing with yourself, and not in front of an audience. When auditions were over, students were slotted into the different musical groups.

The first day of SEMSBA began at 9 am with groups practicing their respective pieces. The school’s gymnasium, auditorium, and practice room were filled with talent. The concert band, which I was a part of, had about 80 students, which was really nice to see and experience. Despite never playing together before, it was remarkable to watch songs quickly fit together and sound complete. Our first song of the selection, Americans We by Henry Filmore, was sight-read only once and it came out perfectly. It was a promising day of practice, and each section worked hard to provide their voice and pull their weight. After lunch, each group swapped locations and began practicing again. Lunch was provided by the host school, and it was a chance to meet new people from other towns. Once we were back at it, practice continued until 4 pm; it was amazing how much we all improved in that time. The first day was a huge success, and we all looked forward to the concert the next day.

The second day started similarly with the early hours used for practicing before the performances. Other pieces the concert band played included October by Eric Whitacre and Parkour by Samuel Hazo (which, from this, has become one of my favorite arrangements ever). The auditorium was packed for each performance, and every song from each group – chorus, jazz, orchestra, and concert band – went exceptionally well. 

Overall, it was a wonderful experience. It gave us the chance to see a broader world of music, and enabled friendships to form. I was able to meet fellow bassoonists, and saw myself improve from the experience. It was my first time playing at SEMSBA, and it is something I will never forget. I believe every young musician should at least try it, because there is a lot to gain from an opportunity like this. To anyone considering auditioning in the future, I would strongly recommend it, as it is a wonderful experience and a great opportunity to grow. I’m lucky to have experienced it, and I’m grateful every day for being able to make music.

By Paulina Leskow, ’24

Staff Writer

One of the early signs of spring at Hanover High School are preparations for the annual METG Festival. The Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild Drama Festival is a competition in which high schools present a one-act play under 40 minutes, with the crew limited to just five minutes to create and break down the set. The performances are judged professionally in daylong rounds, and only a select number of schools are chosen to move on to the next level. HHS began working in January on this year’s entry, The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, and competed against seven other schools in the preliminary round at Marshfield High School on March 4. Their performance was one of four selected to advance to the semifinals on March 18. 

The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon by Don Zolidis is about almost every fairy tale known — Cinderella, Snow White, Hansel and Gretel and more — all jumbled up into one crazy, hilarious story. The cast was very excited to present the show, with a mix of performers both new to and experienced in the happy chaos of festival days. In the first round, HHS performed in competition with Duxbury, Marshfield, Hull, Norwell, Hingham, Weymouth, and Ursuline Academy. 

“I am happy and nervous at the same time, as this will be my first time performing in front of so many different people from different schools,” Baylor Speckmann, a junior and first-time festival cast member, said early in the rehearsal process. Baylor played Narrator 2 in the production. “There are so many specific parts and movements to memorize, but I know it will work out with the help of the castmates, crewmates, and our director.” 

HHS Drama teacher Collin Fahey directed the show, having a few festivals under his belt including the challenging hybrid-style competitions during the height of COVID.

“It is the 90th annual festival this year, and it is very exciting to be a part of such a tradition,” he said. “All of our cast and crew is such remarkable talent, and I can assure you that this will be one of the funniest shows you have ever seen!”

This is the second and final festival for Kaya Bianculli, senior co-president of the Drama Club who will be portraying Narrator 1. “I like seeing different drama departments from other schools perform as well as meeting new people,” she said.

Family and friends attended a dress rehearsal of the show in the HHS auditorium on March 2. The action-packed, hilarious play left many smiling from ear to ear. In the March 4 competition, the performance was not only selected to advance to the next round, the cast and crew won several individual awards. Junior Ian MacDougall earned a nod for outstanding acting; his multiple roles included a hilarious turn as a black raven with the voice of a 1930s gangster. Junior Paulina Leskow was cited for outstanding stage management and versatility, and sophomore Marie Fortier was honored for her role as assistant stage manager.

“I am thrilled to be able to get a view of the show as a crew member, which is completely different to performing as an actor,” said Fortier. “Seeing the sets and props come together is a very fun and memorable moment.” 

By Paulina Leskow and Norah Kelley, ’24

To kick off this school year for the music and drama departments, Hanover High School transformed the cafeteria into a Cabaret. The October 20 showcase featured 19 acts and was a great way to put the performing arts on center stage. The Cabaret included the HHS Band, Vox choral group and Jazz Ensemble as well as many acts proposed by the students themselves to show off their talents of singing, dancing, acting, comedy and playing instruments.

“From beginning to end, they showed individual initiative — especially through their creativity,” said Mr. Matt Harden, the chair of Hanover Schools’ Fine and Performing Arts who also leads instrumental music at HHS. Mr. Harden orchestrated the production, along with choral director Mr. Michael Wade and drama teacher Mr. Collin Fahey.

The event made an impact on the large audience as well as the performers and crew members who worked backstage. “I loved seeing how talented everyone was, especially people that I don’t usually get to see performing,” said junior Ella Nadeau, who sang “Girl Crush” by L. McKenna, H.Lindsey and L. Rose. 

After performing a dance routine, senior Owen Forrand said the reaction from the audience was the highlight of the night. “My favorite part was probably hearing how much people enjoyed my dance and how they thought I did well,” he said. “It was nice to hear that people didn’t notice the mistake I made and that the dance was fun to watch.” 

The Cabaret, which began last year as a way to continue live performances amid COVID-19 precautions, was also a great way for the new members of Hanover High School to be introduced to its impressive world of the arts. The schedule this year includes 13: The Musical in November, a drama fest and another play in the spring, and seasonal concerts by choral and instrumental performers. A districtwide festival showcasing fine and performing arts from students in grades k-12 debuted last year and is planned for the spring.

“The arts seem like such an amazing program,” said freshman Alana Cole, who sang “Don’t Rain on my Parade” by B. Merrill and J. Styne at the Cabaret. “It got me very excited to get involved in more activities!” 

By Jake Faghan, ’23

Staff Writer

HHS performing arts students are looking forward to their next production, 13: the Musical. As it grows closer to opening night on Nov. 18, word has been buzzing about this show, the only Broadway musical ever to feature a cast entirely of teens.

Created by Jason Robert Brown, Dan Elish and Robert Horn, 13 tells the story of a teen who moves from New York City to a small Midwestern town. In addition to having to make new friends, Evan Goldman must deal with his parents’ divorce and his upcoming Bar Mitzvah. The musical premiered on Broadway in 2008, and introduced the world to the young actress who would become pop star Ariana Grande. It also recently debuted as a movie on Netflix.

“This show is about growing up and using a little guess and check, maybe failing once in a while, to figure out who you are and where you fit in,” said HHS drama teacher Collin Fahey. “We all feel that at the age of 13, you think you know everything, but ultimately we all need a little more studying, a little more self-discovery and a little more homework.”

The show features contemporary music, humor and relatable characters — all of whom are about to turn 13, Mr. Fahey added. “I think it will be interesting for students to investigate what their middle school experience was like and how it can influence them.”

The musical stars Ella Nadeau as Evan Goldman, Ashley Stracco as Patrice, Baylor Speckmann as Brett, Addy Potter as Archie, Peyton Szymczak as Lucy, and Norah Kelley as Kendra. Mr. Matt Harden, who chairs the district’s Fine and Performing Arts department and leads instrumental music at HHS, will help shape the production, along with choral director Mr. Michael Wade.

Last summer, the Drama Department had chosen for its fall musical Little Women, based on the book by Louisa May Alcott and the Broadway show that debuted on Broadway in 2005. But because another company had already purchased the rights, HHS had to make a different choice, Mr. Fahey said. Mr. Harden suggested they try 13.

“It’s fun to work with because everyone’s been 13,” Mr. Fahey said. “I’ve been 13 and everyone involved has been 13. … It is a really upbeat, fun, hilarious show that I think people are really going to enjoy.”

13: The Musical, will come to life on the auditorium stage Nov. 18-20. Information on ticket sales will be posted on Hanover Schools’ social media soon. I personally think that everyone should give this show a shot, and support the performing arts. As you watch the characters in 13 grow, help nurture the HHS performing arts program as well.

“I am incredibly proud to be part of such a nurturing artistic community here,” Mr. Fahey said, “and I can’t wait to keep creating and keep succeeding.”

Featured image: http://jasonrobertbrown.com/press/13-big-screen/