Earth Wind and Fire publicity shot

‘Earth, Wind & Fire’ Band Headlines Palace Theatre’s 9th Annual Gala

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On Wednesday, May 30, The Palace Theatre in Stamford welcomes Earth, Wind & Fire, one of the top-selling musical groups of all time, for the nonprofit’s 9th Annual Gala. The event is The Palace’s largest annual fundraiser with proceeds benefiting the organization’s arts education programs.

— an announcement from the Palace Theatre

With a signature sound beyond category and a groove as deep as the soul of the planet, Earth, Wind & Fire’s legendary journey has set the standard for music of all genres and made a profound and lasting impact on pop culture. Born in Chicago in 1969, Earth, Wind & Fire has released 23 albums. They have recorded eight #1 R&B singles and eight Double Platinum Top 10 Pop Albums.

Earth, Wind & Fire has earned more than 50 Gold and Platinum albums and sold over 100 million albums worldwide, earning them a solid spot as one of best selling music artists of all time. “Earth, Wind & Fire’s career achievements have had a huge impact on the history of music and we are very fortunate to welcome them to The Palace,” said Michael Moran, Executive Director of The Palace. “We are proud to present premier entertainment so close to home and encourage anyone interested to purchase tickets early.

United Church of Rowayton 910-26-16

Special Music Service Sunday, March 11 at United Church of Rowayton

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The public is invited to attend a special music service entitled “Abound in Hope,” combining a 10-piece orchestra and a 35-member choir at the United Church of Rowayton, 210 Rowayton Ave., at 10:15 a.m., Sunday, March 11. “The ‘Abound in Hope’ service is a celebration of the days leading up to Easter,” says Pastor John Livingston. — an announcement from the United Church of Rowayton
The orchestra and choir will be under the direction of Marsha Hall, the church’s music director. All the musicians are from the local area. The ensemble will be performing “The Tree of Peace” by the internationally applauded composer and arranger Gwyneth Walker, D.M.A.
The text for “The Tree of Peace” was adapted from the Jon Greenleaf Whittier poem “O Brother Man.”
“We are excited and honored to present this inspiring work,” says Marsha.

High School orchestra chorus at Lincoln Center

How Did DHS Chamber Orchestra, Tudor Singers Get to Lincoln Center? ‘Practice, Practice’

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Two Darien High School musical ensembles were invited to perform at Lincoln Center this month. The Darien High School Chamber Orchestra, directed by Jane Minnis, and the Darien Tudor Singers, directed by Christopher Andrade, performed to a full house audience at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall.  

The DHS students were the only musical ensembles from the United States performing as part of the Beijing Student Jinfan Art Troupe performance featuring Chinese student instrumental ensembles, and dance and drama performances. “The students and teachers were very excited to be performing in such a prestigious venue, and were honored to share their music with the student musicians from Beijing,” said Director of Music Richard Sadlon. The DHS Chamber Orchestra performed the “Brook Green Suite” by Gustav Holst, and the Tudor Singers performed “MLK” by U2 and a traditional spiritual entitled, “Keep Your Hands on the Plow.”

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— Marc Marin is district director of instructional technology.

No No Boy Project

POSTPONED: Sunday’s Concert by No-No Boy Project at Darien Library

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The No-No Boy concert previously scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 25 at Darien Library has been postponed to a date to be determined. The reason: One of the performers came down with the flu. The concert had been originally scheduled for 5 to 6 p.m. Darien Library announced the postponement late Friday night on Facebook and on Twitter. Here’s the Facebook announcement:

Tomorrow’s performance of the No-No Boy Project has been postponed.

DHS Jazz Ensemble

Darien High School Annual Jazz Jamboree on March 2

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Darien High School will host its fifth Annual Jazz Jamboree at 4 p.m., Friday, March 2 at the high school Auditorium.  Thirteen area and New York high school ensembles will be competing. Admission is $5. The Darien High School jazz ensemble, fresh off its best-ever third place finish at the Berklee College of Music high school jazz festival will be performing to close the evening. This year, through the generosity of Darien’s own Gerry and Franca Mulligan Foundation, the award to the outstanding soloist of the competition will be the Gerry Mulligan Award. Gerry Mulligan is considered an all-time jazz legend as both a musician and composer.

DHS Jazz Ensemble

DHS Jazz Ensemble Gets Third Place at Berklee College Jazz Festival

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The Darien High School Jazz Ensemble placed third in their division at the Berklee College of Music Jazz Festival in Boston on Saturday, February 10. 

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— This announcement is from the Darien Public Schools Music Department blog. ______________

The Berklee Jazz Festival is the largest high school Jazz festival in the country and featured nearly 200 competing bands and ensembles from 138 participating schools from 15 states including Illinois, Puerto Rico, Florida and even as far away as California.  

The Darien Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Jonathan Grauer performed three selections, “Lu’s Blues,” “Better Get Hit in Your Soul,” and “Whiplash.”

“I am very pleased with our performance on Saturday,” Grauer said. “Our kids really worked hard and it showed in their performance. This is the highest that we have ever placed at this Festival.”

Darien drummer Anan Durango received the ensemble’s outstanding soloist award for his solo work on “Whiplash.”

The Darien HS Jazz Ensemble has upcoming performances at the Darien Jazz Jamboree on March 2, the Norwalk Jazz Festival on March 9, the King Jazz Festival in Stamford on March 11 and the Greenwich Ellington Jazz festival on March 24.

St. Petersburg Men's Ensemble DHS 18-01-09

Touring Russian Singers Perform at Darien High School

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The Darien High School Music Department hosted the St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble from Russia for a performance recently. The award-winning Russian vocal quartet, currently on their East Coast tour, was able to arrange an afternoon performance for our students at DHS. The group performs a wide range of musical styles ranging from Russian Sacred music and folk songs to vocal literature composed by famous masters such as Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky and Rachmaninov. Students and staff enjoyed an inspiring musical performance followed by a question and answer session about Russian music and culture.

Valerie Simpson contributed photo publicity 12-22-17

Valerie Simpson, Paul Shaffer and Darlene Love Headline Concert for Children’s Learning Centers

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Valerie Simpson will take the stage to benefit Stamford nonprofit preschool provider Children’s Learning Centers of Fairfield County at Stamford’s Palace Theatre on Saturday, April 28. Paul Shaffer will make a special appearance with Simpson, and Darlene Love will also perform. 

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— an announcement from Children’s Learning Centers of Fairfield County

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Simpson rose to fame along with her late husband Nick Ashford as Ashford and Simpson. The singer and songwriter’s chart toppers include “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing,” and “I’m Every Woman.”

Singer and composer Paul Shaffer is best known as the longtime bandleader for David Letterman. His 2017 album — “Paul Shaffer & The World’s Most Dangerous Band” — features guest appearances from Simpson and Bill Murray. Darlene Love is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and was recognized by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the greatest singers of all time. Children’s Learning Centers will honor Synchrony Financial CEO Margaret Keane with its inaugural “CLC Knobby Award,” named for long-standing CLC supporters William and Audrey Knobloch.

Performing Stamford Town Center Mall 12-12-17

Darien Students to Perform at Stamford Town Center Mall This Week

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Amid the hustle and bustle of the holidays, visitors to the Stamford Town Center will have a chance to enjoy some holiday cheer from Darien students. Starting this week, Darien Public Schools will be having performances in the mall in the late afternoon. Director of Music Rick Sadlon said that this is the second year Darien has participated in the mall’s Holiday and Harmony music program. “Our teachers have welcomed the opportunity to have their students perform at the venue again this year. In this season of giving, we feel that it is important to share our gift of music and musical accomplishments with our friends and neighbors in the area,” said Sadlon.

Music Darien Public Schools winter concerts 11-28-17

Holiday Winter Concerts Coming to Darien’s Public Schools

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The Darien Public Schools Music Department would like to announce their schedule of upcoming holiday winter concert programs for the month of December. The concerts will feature nearly 2,000 band, chorus, and orchestra students performing in 10 concert programs throughout the district. “The students and teachers have been busy preparing their music for the upcoming concert season and are looking forward to sharing their musical accomplishments with their friends and families, ” said Director of Music Rick Sadlon. Here’s the schedule of concerts:

Dec. 4 — Middlesex Middle School, Grades 6 and 7 Winter Chorus Concert, 6:30 p.m. — Darien High School Auditorium
Dec.

Wall Street Theater Interior 11-13-17

Upcoming Events at the Restored Wall Street Theater in Norwalk

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The Wall Street Theater, which recently opened its doors in Norwalk after undergoing a $10 million renovation, has released its schedule of upcoming events. About the New/Old Theater

The historic theater showcases professional music, comedic, dance and stage performances from nationally recognized names, as well as local organizations. Located at 71 Wall St. in Norwalk, the 700-seat theater recently underwent a $10 million-dollar project to restore this national historic landmark to its original glory from the early 1900s. Originally known as The Regent when the location opened in 1915 featuring Vaudeville performances, the theater was also known as The Norwalk and The Roxy (during this time period, the theater was outfitted as a movie theater showing such blockbusters as “Jaws” and “Blues Brothers”).

St. Luke's Choir 2017

Service of Choral Evensong with Darien, Greenwich Church Choirs Coming to St Luke’s

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The Choirs of Saint Luke’s Parish in Darien, and Christ Church in Greenwich will sing a service of Choral Evensong on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 5 p.m. at Saint Luke’s. The service will be the first joint effort between the two Episcopal parishes in recent memory. It is being conducted by Jamie Hitel (director of music at Christ Church) and David Pulliam, (director of music and organist at Saint Luke’s). ____________

— an announcement from St.

Gunsmoke band members 10-18-17

Support Hurricane Relief with Local Band ‘Gunsmoke’ Friday Night

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Local country western band Gunsmoke is performing in its latest “Music for Hope” concert at the Piedmont Club in Darien on Friday, Oct. 20. Proceeds from the concert will be donated to the Red Cross and the charity, Samaritan’s Purse for hurricane relief in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico. Also performing at the hurricane relief concert is the classic rock and soul band, The Law. Formed by brothers Jeff and Nick DeMaio Jr. of Darien, Gunsmoke has been performing classic country, western, swing and rockabilly music for over 25 years.

Barbara Smith-Soroca 10-07-17

Barbara Smith-Soroca, CEO of Stamford Symphony, Retires After 39 Years

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At the Stamford Symphony’s opening concert on Oct. 14, the Orchestra and Stamford community will pay tribute to CEO and President Barbara Smith-Soroca, who has announced her retirement from the leadership position she has held for 39 years. __________

— This is an announcement from the Stamford Symphony. __________

Ms. Soroca came to the organization in 1979, when Skitch Henderson was music director, the orchestra was comprised of passionate, accomplished amateur musicians, and performances were held at West Hill High School. Under Ms. Soroca’s leadership the orchestra has grown to be the pre-eminent music ensemble in the region, employing top professional musicians from the New York City metro area, boasting robust music education and community engagement programs, and performing at the Palace Theatre’s beautifully restored venue.