Old Rochester Regional (ORR) School District and MA Superintendency Union #55 Superintendent Michael S. Nelson, High School Principal Michael Devoll, Junior High Principal Silas Coellner, Rochester Memorial School Principal Heidi Letendre, Sippican School Principal Lynn Desset, and Old Hammondtown School Principal Stephanie Wells are proud to celebrate the success of two March concerts presented by the nonprofit FORM.
FORM, which stands for Friends of Old Rochester Music, welcomed the community for two nights of extraordinary student performances as part of the 2024-25 Concert Series, including the FORM Choral Concert held on March 11 and the FORM Instrumental Concert on March 18. These two concerts, which raise money for FORM music scholarships, featured chorus and band performances by students from Old Hammondtown School, Rochester Memorial School, Sippican Elementary School, Old Rochester Regional Junior High School, and Old Rochester Regional High School.
“FORM Scholarship Concerts are a wonderful reminder of the many talents of our students and staff members across the district,” said Old Rochester Regional High School Principal Michael Devoll. “I love being able to see the progression from our youngest musicians to our oldest musicians. Providing students with scholarship opportunities is a wonderful way to send off our graduating senior musicians.”
These two recent FORM Scholarship Concerts aren’t the end for the 2024-25 Concert Series. “A Night of Jazz” is taking place at Old Rochester Regional High School on April 15 at 6:30 pm and the Spring Concert is being held on May 14 at 6:30 pm. After that, Old Rochester Regional Junior High School is holding its Spring Concert on May 21 at 6:30 pm.
These events are held with the help of donations to FORM, which is now celebrating 42 years of scholarship awards for graduating seniors. Using private fundraisers to support special events, programming, transportation, and musical instrument purchases, FORM is able to provide additional opportunities for young musicians beyond the regular school district budget.
FORM is also now launching a local Music Hall of Fame, recognizing talented musicians who have graduated from ORR since the 1960s.
Inaugural inductees to the Music Hall of Fame, selected by a FORM committee, will be announced at the “A Night of Jazz” concert.
“Your participation truly matters to our success,” said FORM, in a message welcoming the community to this year’s concert series. “We invite you to contact us about becoming involved. Warm thanks to our sponsors, donors and ticket buyers whose generosity ensures our students have the resources they need to flourish and continue to enrich our community with music.”
Another ticketed event will be held on May 17 at the Marion Music Hall to celebrate the launch of the Music Hall of Fame, its inaugural inductees and all of the nominees.
Donations for FORM can be made by mail, with checks sent to P.O. Box 1143, Mattapoisett, MA 02739. To learn more, email FORM@OldRochester.org or go online to FriendsOfOldRochesterMusic.org.
The FORM Choral Concert on March 11 also provided an occasion to celebrate the career of Old Rochester Regional Junior High School’s longtime chorus director and music teacher, Angie Vaughn, who has dedicated 27 years to inspiring young voices and fostering a love of music. Vaughn, who holds a master’s degree in music education from Illinois State University, is retiring at the end of this current school year, after beginning her career at Old Rochester Regional Junior High School in 1998.
“Mrs. Vaughn’s passion, dedication, and impact will resonate for years to come,” said Old Rochester Regional Junior High School Principal Silas Coellner. “We thank her for her unwavering commitment, and we all wish her a happy retirement. Nevertheless, Mrs. Vaughn’s legacy of music and teaching will always sing on in the hearts of all her students, colleagues and members of the Old Rochester community.”
“We are always so impressed by the incredible skills and abilities of our musicians and vocalists,” said Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Jaime Curley. “Not only do they possess amazing individual talents, but they work so well together in harmony. Bravo to our music teachers for preparing and orchestrating these amazing FORM concerts that we look forward to every year. Thank you to FORM for all of its work to equip our students and provide scholarships, helping them to reach their musical potential.”
“It was a pleasure to be in attendance for these wonderful performances by our students presented by FORM,” said Shari Fedorowicz, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. “To see how our teachers have worked to develop the talents of our student musicians is phenomenal. Thank you to FORM for all of its work to assist with the cause. FORM is such a worthy cause that is making a remarkable impact on the lives and future of our students.”
“I congratulate all of our vocalists and instrumentalists for honing their talents and sharing their amazing abilities with all of us during our incredible FORM concerts each year,” said Superintendent Michael S. Nelson. “These incredible ensembles are an inspiration for everyone, including the younger generations of musicians in our community. I’d like to recognize Mrs. Vaughn for a remarkable career in music education, enriching the lives of our ORR students for so many years. All of our music teachers have done incredible work preparing these students for these performances. We look forward to seeing our musicians and vocalists continue to perform in ORR concert stages and beyond.”