MELICAN MIDDLE SCHOOL

The Robert E. Melican Middle School is located at 145 Lincoln Street, Northborough, MA 01532
School phone number is : 508-351-7020 Fax number is: 508-351-7006

Melican Middle School Home Page

Melican Middle School Music Faculty

Brent Ferguson - K-8 Music Coordinator for the Northboro Schools and Instrumental Music Teacher **About Mr. Ferguson **
Email: BFerguson@nsboro.k12.ma.us

Dave Daquil - Instrumental Music Teacher **About Mr. Daquil **
Email: DDaquil@nsboro.k12.ma.us

Rebecca Makara - Chamber Ensemble Coach and co-director of Honors Wind Ensemble **About Ms. Makara **
Email: RMakara@nsboro.k12.ma.us

Kate Getchell - Classroom Music Teacher and Choral Director **About Mrs. Getchell **

Email: kgetchell@nsboro.k12.ma.us Web Page: http://teacherweb.com/MA/MelicanMiddleSchool/Stevens/

Katrina Caron - Classroom Music Teacher, Grade 6 ** About Ms. Caron **
Email: KCaron@nsboro.k12.ma.us

Emilee Blanchet -Consultant to the Arts Curriculum Team

Important Notice About Private Lesson Scholarships

Click for Northboro Schools' Band Page and Band Handbook

 

Grade Level Choruses

Directed by Miss Stevens- Students in grades 6/7/8 may participate in the grade level choruses and meet once or twice per week during school (depending on grade). They perform in concerts in December and May/June each year.

*** MMS Chorus Handbook***

Select Chorus

Directed by Miss Stevens- Grade 7 & 8 choral students may audition for Select Chorus in September. This group rehearses after school weekly and performs in the winter and spring school concerts and within the community. Music is more challenging than grade level chorus. All choral music represents different styles and diverse cultures.

Boys Group and Girls Group

These are both audition-based groups. Girls group meets before school on Thursdays, and Boys Group meets after school on Thursdays. Both groups each explore a variety of styles of music that cater to the developing voices of young boys and girls. Directed by Ms. Stevens.

Concert Bands

All band musicians perform in their grade level Concert Band.  The Concert Bands introduce students to standard band literature.  Performance in Concert Band focuses on the development of the basic techniques needed for performance on wind and percussion instruments.  Skills learned in Concert Band provide the foundation for all the ensembles offered at the middle school.  Each grade level Concert Band meets twice per week and performs in the winter and spring concerts. Band students are also scheduled for a sectional class that meets once per week according to a rotating schedule.  7th/8th grade Concert Band students also perform in the M.I.C.C.A. Festival each spring. (Click below for description of M.I.C.C.A.)  The Concert Bands are directed by Mr. Ferguson (Grade 7 & 8) and Mr. Daquil (Grade 6).

Full Orchestra

Full Orchestra rehearses one day per week during school on a rotating period basis during the day. This group performs at the Winter and Spring Concerts as well as at "String Night" in May. It provides wind and percussion students an opportunity to perform with grades 6 - 8 string students. Band students in grade 8 may audition for this ensemble.  Full Orchestra may also participate in the M.I.C.C.A. Festival in the spring. This ensemble is directed by Mr. Ferguson.

Chamber Ensembles

Chamber Ensembles are formed each year to introduce students to small ensemble literature and to develop the skills needed for independent musicianship.  Students in grades 6-8 may participate.  An audition at the beginning of the year is required for participation and placement in the ensemble.  Although individual ensembles change from year to year depending on who participates, in the past, ensembles of flutes, clarinets, saxophones, as well as, mixed instruments have been offered. The chamber ensembles rehearse before or after school one day a week for 40 minutes.  The students and director determine the rehearsal day and time.  Chamber musicians perform at the annual Northborough Rotary Pancake Breakfast, the Education Fair, 5th Grade Orientation, and prior to the start of the school's spring concerts.  Chamber ensembles also perform at the M.I.C.C.A. Solo and Ensemble Festival in May. These ensembles are coached by the instrumental music teachers

Stage Band

Stage Band is a beginning level jazz band, which provides an introduction to jazz literature, performance techniques, and improvisation.  Participation in this ensemble is open to all 6th grade students, by audition in the fall.  Stage Band rehearses after-school on Wednesday afternoons from 2:30-3:20 PM.  Stage Band is directed by Mr. Daquil and performs at the M.M.S. Jazz Night with Guest Artist, the I.A.J.E. Festival, and the spring concert. (Click below for description of these and other events).   

Jazz Ensemble II

Jazz Ensemble II provides further introduction to jazz literature, performance techniques, and improvisation.  Participation in this ensemble is primarily available to 7th and 8th grade students, by audition. Jazz II rehearses on Tuesday afternoons from 2:30-4:30 PM.  Individual sections of this ensemble also meet before school for further instruction.  Jazz II performs at the M.M.S. Jazz Night with Guest Artist, I.A.J.E. Festival, U.N.H. Clark Terry Jazz Festival, Northboro Rotary Pancake Breakfast, as well as, the spring concert. This ensemble is directed by Mr. Ferguson. 

Jazz Ensemble I

Jazz Ensemble I further develops a student's performance and improvisation techniques, as well as, providing the opportunity to perform more advanced literature.  Participation in this ensemble is available to 7th and 8th grade students, by audition.  Jazz I rehearses Tuesday mornings from 6:40 - 7:40 AM and Thursday evenings from 5:30 - 7:30 PM.  Individual sections also meet before school for further instruction.  Jazz I performs at M.M.S. Jazz Night with Guest Artist, A.R.H.S. Jazz Night with Guest Artist, I.A.J.E. Festival, U.N.H. Clark Terry Jazz Festival, Northboro Rotary Pancake Breakfast, as well as, the spring concert.

EVENTS

Music students are involved in many varied events throughout the school year. Click below on the titles for more information on these events

Central Mass District M.I.C.C.A. I.A.J.E. MMS Jazz Night with Guest Artist UNH Clark Terry Jazz Festival ARHS Jazz Night with Guest Artist Rotary Pancake Breakfast MMS Musical and Ed Fair