Concord Conservatory of MusicConcord Conservatory of MusicWe at the CCM are bursting with pride to announce the remarkable achievements of our talented students, many of whom have qualified for the Massachusetts Eastern Junior District ensembles! Their dedication, hard work, and passion for music have truly paid off, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to celebrate their success.
While we’re highlighting a few of our exceptional students, we want to acknowledge that numerous CCM students achieved this honor.
We are so proud of everyone who auditioned and qualified!
Alfred Bull, our double bass player and student of CCM’s Justin Meyers, has earned a place in the Junior District Orchestra. His experience was profound, as he shared, “Being a part of an orchestra that large (in Junior District) was a meaningful experience and I hope to continue my progress in double bass. Never underestimate scales and technique!” Alfred’s commitment to mastering his instrument is inspiring, and his advice is a testament to the importance of developing the foundational skills.
Issay Bariagaber, an 8th-grade tenor saxophone and student of Tsuyoshi Honjo, has qualified for the Junior District Concert Band. Issay’s enthusiasm for music is contagious, and his words resonate deeply: “This achievement inspires me to go further with music. Music is a great way for me to express myself and being a part of districts has inspired me to keep on going.” We are excited to see where Issay’s musical journey takes him!
Another 8th-grade standout, Max Hochmuth, has also secured a spot in the Central Mass Junior Districts Festival Concert Band, playing the baritone saxophone. Max expressed his gratitude, stating, “This is an exciting step in my musical journey. I am thankful to CCM’s Tsuyoshi Honjo and Mr. Kozik, my band teacher in Maynard, for helping me prepare for the performance.” Max’s acknowledgment of his mentors highlights the collaborative spirit that fosters growth and success.
These achievements are a testament to the students’ hard work and the exceptional guidance they receive from our dedicated faculty. We are incredibly proud of our instructors, like Tsuyoshi Honjo, whose expertise and support have been instrumental in preparing these young musicians for success. CCM is committed to providing a nurturing and enriching environment where students can explore their musical potential and achieve their dreams.
Supporting our students in their musical endeavors is at the heart of what we do. We believe in the transformative power of music education and are thrilled to witness the growth and accomplishments of all our students who qualified. We congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to their continued success!
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, a time to recognize the strength, resilience, and spirit of those living with Parkinson’s disease. We are honored to support our community through our Singing with Parkinson’s (SWP) Chorus, a program that embodies the transformative power of music.
Parkinson’s disease can significantly impact communication, with up to 90% of individuals experiencing voice and speech changes. According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, participating in activities that promote vocal exercise and social connection can greatly improve quality of life. Our SWP group does just that, providing a supportive and joyful environment for participants to strengthen their voices and build community.
Our dedicated instructor, Jay Lane, shares, “I love leading our ‘Singing with Parkinson’s’ group. It’s wonderful to help people grow, develop new skills, and strengthen their voices, all while having fun making music and supporting one another.” This passion is echoed by the participants themselves.
Mike Manugian of Groton, a long-time member, shares his enduring connection to the group. “I think 
I’ve been with SWP since it began at CCM. I’ve always enjoyed singing and have sung with various groups my entire life. I joined SWP so that I could keep the vocal Parkinson’s gremlins at bay while doing something I love.” This personal motivation, rooted in a lifelong passion for singing, underscores the importance of the group for Mike.
Beyond personal enjoyment, Mike emphasizes the group’s invaluable role within the Parkinson’s community. “Choral singing is also a social activity and SWP is an important part of the Parkinson’s community. I also sing with the Nashoba Valley Chorale which will be performing the Brahms Requiem in Groton on April 27th (shameless plug). The Chorale is a group I co-founded 50 years ago. The Parkinson’s chorus is helpful for those of us with Parkinson’s because it makes explicit accommodation for us, such as rehearsing and performing while seated. It’s also a safe place for people with limited or no vocal experience to try out things. This helps overcome the embarrassment factor, where people with obvious physical and mental disabilities are reluctant to participate. This is a serious impediment to wellbeing and safe places like SWP are important to counteract this effect. We also benefit from the vocal exercises Jay presents at each rehearsal which help to keep our voices strong whether singing or speaking.” In essence, SWP offers a safe, accessible, and therapeutic environment for its members.
Finally, Mike reflects on the profound sense of community fostered within the group. “The members of the group are mutually supportive. We have and have had members with seriously limited mobility and some with dementia. All are welcome and we make it a point to help each other out as necessary. Mutual support is, to me, a key element of any Parkinson’s activity. Through SWP and other Parkinson’s activities I’ve met a wonderful group of people and have gained many new friends. Social interaction is very important as we age and people with Parkinson’s tend to be older when mobility and other factors limit social activities. Recently, we’ve gained some new members. I hope the group continues to grow.” This sense of camaraderie and shared experience, he concludes, is vital for well-being, and he expresses hope for the group’s continued expansion.
David Campbell adds, “My speech therapist suggested I try SWP. I had not sung since a youth church choir 50+ years ago. I approached it with some trepidation. But Jay creates a welcoming environment and singing the correct notes is encouraged but not required. I learned that our choir director Jay Lane is well versed in the McCloskey method that emphasizes breathing and muscle control, and he guides us in projecting our voices. This helps with speech as well as singing. Apart from the joy that the music brings, the social and community aspects are beneficial as we share our stories and the way we cope with PD. It is a wonderful group of singers. We sing in multiple languages which is beneficial to our cognitive skills as well. I truly enjoy singing, listening to Jay play piano, and the other participants singing as well. Along with SWP I also am enrolled in Rock Steady Boxing and I walk and even downhill ski in the winter. So I am meeting Parkinson’s head on and I am holding my own with the progression of the disease.”
The SWP program is more than just a singing group; it’s a community of support, encouragement, and joy. During Parkinson’s Awareness Month, we celebrate the strength and resilience of our participants and the power of music to uplift and heal. We are proud to offer this program and witness the positive changes it brings to the lives of those we serve. The Singing with Parkinson’s Chorus remains accessible and affordable, thanks to the generous contributions of our supporters.
A Joyful Journey at Around Hear!
Led by founders Marji Gere (violin) and Dan Sedgwick (piano), along with the charismatic singer Will Green, the Somerville-based ensemble delivered a dynamic and playful performance that illuminated the versatility of chamber music. Their thoughtfully curated repertoire ranged from timeless classics by J.S. Bach and Dvořák to inventive contemporary works by local composers Mike Kelley and Dan Sedgwick, sparking curiosity and wonder alike. Whether exploring the mysteries of exoplanets or celebrating the everyday charm of pigeons, each piece became a story brought to life.
A particularly memorable highlight was the opening performance by one of our very own gifted CCM students, a shining testament to the talent cultivated within our conservatory.
We are deeply grateful to Emerson Health, our Lead Sponsor, and Around Hear for bringing this innovative and joyful event to our community. Together, we created an afternoon brimming with music, art, and shared moments that will be treasured long after the last note faded.
Get your tickets today for our upcoming concerts and lectures!
Southern Rail, Saturday April 26, 7:00 PM
Join us for an unforgettable evening of vibrant bluegrass with Southern Rail! Celebrating over four decades of musical excellence, this acclaimed quartet—featuring our very own CCM faculty member Rich Stillman on banjo and harmony vocals, alongside Jim Muller (guitar/lead vocals), Sharon Horovitch (acoustic bass/harmony vocals), and John Tibert (mandolin/harmony vocals)—will deliver a performance filled with riveting harmonies, irrepressible humor, and sparkling instrumental solos. Expect an evening of exuberant fun and beautiful, creative bluegrass arrangements.
We’re grateful to our sponsors!
We invite all music enthusiasts and businesses to sponsor our Concert & Lecture Series. If you’re interested, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Elaine Lawrence at Elawrence@ConcordConservatory.org. We would love to discuss how you can be part of this exciting series.
Lead Concert Series Sponsor
Music Supporter Sponsor
What do Fidelity, Raytheon, and State Street have in common?
They have matching gift programs.
Won’t you please consider giving the gift of music today?
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