In the News:
|
Press Release: Summer 2010 |
Grant Makers
"The Acorn"
News from Greater Worcester Community Foundation
Fall 2008
Pakachoag Community Music School Preparesfor Next Quarter Century
Since 1982, Pakachoag Community Music School has been training musicians of all ages. The school engages 300 students in classes and private lessons and also conducts more than 25 performances a year at area nursing homes, senior centers, and civic events. Over the past decade, a series of Foundation grants totaling $80,300— almost half from the Shepherd Knapp School Fund—has supported scholarships, outreach programs and early childhood classes. Now, as the School begins its 26th year, a Foundation grant is helping the school build the resources to sustain itself for the next quarter century. “Our goal is to become less tuition dependent and more available to communities in need,” says Executive Director Sarah Smongeski. “Our capacity to serve low-income families, inner-city preschoolers and frail elders is central to our mission. The Foundation is advancing our progress toward a new level of growth and service.”
Parents
"We love the class! Katie was fabulouse as a teacher - energetic, informative & fun"
Music Together parent, Spring 2010
"Our family has been so blessed this year to have become involved in such a wonderful music community!
Peace and Joy,..."
Sonya Bouchard, Private Instruction parent of a young violin student of Peter Hughes; December, 2008
"This is the best class we've done with our daughter! Our daughter's interest in listening & singing songs and playing instruments has increased tremendously. She loves the class, and talks about it all the time. Our 8 month old is now starting to wave his arms every time he hears us sing or play music.... We can't wait until next semester! Julie [teacher] is excellent, we enjoy her class tremendously!" Parent of a Winter 2010 Music Together class.
"Excellent program & staff;... [We] love the program & Ms. Katie is wonderful,.. kind and caring!!" Music Together parent; Winter 2010.
“I love everything about the program and have been attending since 2001. All 3 of my kids… loved the program. … I cannot say enough good things about how absolutely wonderful [our teacher] is, from teaching and interacting skills with parents and kids and her singing and creativity.”Pam Marois of Sutton, MA
Music Together Parent
Spring, 2006
Alums
"I think the most amazing aspect of growing up as a student at the Pakachoag Music School
was watching so many young people (including my own siblings) progress from that first time
they nervously stand in front of an audience to perform an ostensibly simple piece to the
day that they are able to deliver a sophisticated and flawless performance. Philosophically,
this school treats each and every one of its students as if he or she will someday
get there and persistently challenges its students to bring themselves to that next level.
And not only does this discipline produce great musicians, it also imparts a certain
quality on to its students that leads them to strive for and achieve excellence in
all aspects of their personal and professional lives.”
John Paul Verderese, MD
Alexandria, VA
Pakachoag Music School Alumnus - Formerly of Auburn, MA
Peers
“Based in Auburn, Pakachoag Community Music School is the area’s leading school of the arts. Not the average ‘student recital’, Pakachoag Music School outreach concerts feature students of all ages in professional-level, exciting performances. Expect to be inspired by their creativity and virtuosity.”Music Alive, Concert Series at
Wesley United Methodist Church, Worcester
Student Outreach Concert - April 2007
Partners
Across the Diocese
published by the Episcopal Diocese of Western Mass - July 2010Afternoon Tunes Feature Article
Click "Musical Passion At All Saints, Worcester" to read about this unique program founded by a Pakachoag Alum, staffed by a Pakachoag Faculty Mentor and including Pakachoag students
And.... just some of the colleges to which Pakachoag Music School alums have been accepted:
Brown
Harvard
University of Illinois
Tufts
New England Conservatory of Music
Hartt School of Music, Univ. of Hartford
Rhode Island School of Design/ RISD
Boston University
Yale
Princeton
UMass Amherst
Providence College
Salem State College
Anna Maria College
Quinsigammond Community College
University of Dallas
Catholic University of America
Notre Dame Univ.
Univ. of Southern California LA
George Washington Univ.
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Indiana
Carnegie Mellon
Drexel
