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Belmont Middle + High School
This Week in High School Band: December 1-19, 2025
This Week in High School Band: December 1-19, 2025
WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO:
WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO:
Monday, December 1: Day 3
No events
Tuesday, December 2: Day 4
Jazz rehearsal 5:00-7:00PM (please prioritize this, as you only rehearse once per week). Athletic practices do not come first if you have committed to this group.
Wednesday, December 3: Day 5
MMB Band Banquet 6:30-8:30PM Cafeteria (Students free, guests can book tickets until noon on Tuesday here)
Thursday, December 4: Day 6
Boston Pops performance - tickets available in the BHS Band Room B137 until Thursday at the end of the day; all tickets not picked up will be dropped at the Boston Symphony Box Office at Symphony Hall
Friday, December 5: Day 7
No events
Monday, December 8: Day 1
See Patrick Sheridan Schedule (top right)
Tuesday, December 9: Day 2
See Patrick Sheridan Schedule (top right)
Concert begins at 7:00PM (tickets are free but MUST be reserved)
Wednesday, December 10: Day 3
Tri-M Meeting 1:35-2:05PM
BHS Chorus/Orchestra Concert - Select Wind Ensemble percussionists are performing
Thursday, December 11: Day 4
No events
Friday, December 12: Day 5
No events
Monday, December 15: Day 6
Jazz Ensemble has a performance during school in the cafeteria! Please get your permission forms signed.
Tuesday, December 16: Day 7
Wind Ensemble A Block in-school concert (8:00-8:45AM) in Black Box Theater
Wednesday, December 17: Day 1
No events
Thursday, December 18: Day 2
No events
Friday, December 19: Day 3
It is strongly advised that instruments go into the shop for a check-up since we have such a long winter break! Brass players - what a great time it would be to get a chemical/ultrasonic cleaning of your instrument. Woodwinds- a Clean, Oil, and Adjust (COA) is also advised. This should be done at least once per year depending on how much playing you are doing. Contact David French Music at (508) 366-5994 to book your spot.
IMPORTANT DATES:
IMPORTANT DATES:
PATRICK SHERIDAN Guest Artist Concert!
PATRICK SHERIDAN Guest Artist Concert!
We are so thrilled to be welcoming one of the best musicians in the world to Belmont December 8th-9th, 2025. Patrick Sheridan is one of the world's most celebrated tuba players, and he happens to be an amazing human being and awesome concert host! He will be working with all 7th-12th grade band students December 8-9, culminating with a concert at 7:00PM on December 9th in our BHS Theater. Book your free tickets here (these are free, but we expect this to sell out, so please reserve your spot today).
Jazz Info 2025-2026
BHS Jazz Ensemble
Tuesdays 5pm to 7pm
Bison Big Band
Mondays 2:30pm to 4pm
Please click HERE to sign up for a Jazz Ensemble Audition!
October 3-4, 2024
View the MMB Page HERE
NYC TOUR UPDATE
There will be a parent/student meeting on Monday, October 7, at 6:30-7:15PM in the Band Room (B137). This is to receive information on the itinerary, payment plan through Bob Rogers Travel, and to answer questions that parents/guardians may have. I will record the meeting for band families who are unable to make the meeting. You can view the NYC Tour Page HERE.
Northeastern District of Mass Music Educators Association : Senior District Auditions (9th-12th Grade)
Students may register for Sr. District Auditions HERE before October 16, 2024.
Audition information may be found HERE.
District auditions take place Saturday, November 16, 2024. Students will be provided transportation and their registration fee will be covered by the district.
WIBC
The Western International Band Clinic is a national honor band competition held Nov. 22-25, 2024 in Seattle, WA. This is an opportunity to perform under the baton of six world-class band conductors (Brian Balmages, Randall Standridge, Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser, Robert Ponto, Robert Sheldon, Kevin Day) and perform alongside Grammy winning group, Mariachi Sol De Mexico!
The auditions are online and are due on October 11, 2024. This is THE best honor band experience that a high school student can participate in in the United States, hands down. Please let me know if you are submitting a WIBC audition!
Northeastern District of Mass Music Educators Association : Junior District Auditions (9th Grade Only)
Students may register for Jr. District Auditions later this Fall.
Audition information may be found HERE.
District auditions take place Saturday, February 1, 2025. Students will be provided transportation and their registration fee will be covered by the district.
Wind Ensemble to perform in
Historic Jordan Hall!
On Sunday, January 19, 2025, the BHS Wind Ensemble will be the opening act for the Commonwealth Wind Symphony Concert at 5:00PM at Jordan Hall. Learn all about this historic venue here!
MUSIC ADVOCACY
Here are articles that explore the importance of music education in young people's lives. I encourage you to check these out!
1. USC Study on Music Education's Impact on Wellbeing
This article from USC discusses how music education can help young people build skills, manage emotions, and foster a connection to their school and community. It emphasizes how music supports positive youth development, particularly in cognitive and emotional aspects, and helps students remain hopeful about their futures.
https://today.usc.edu/music-education-research/
2. Save the Music Foundation: Benefits of Music Education
This resource provides a deep dive into the cognitive and social benefits of music education. It explains how playing an instrument enhances brain function, improves problem-solving skills, and fosters creativity. The article also highlights how music education improves students' academic performance and overall well-being.
https://www.savethemusic.org/blog/research/benefits-to-the-brain/
3. Music and Wellbeing: Eight Ways Music Supports Youth
From the Center for World Music, this article outlines eight key ways that music education benefits young people's social-emotional and cognitive development. It discusses how music builds resilience, encourages self-expression, and strengthens social bonds, all contributing to overall well-being.
https://centerforworldmusic.org/2021/08/music-wellbeing-and-learning/
4. Your Brain on Music: The Sound System Between Your Ears
The amazing sound system in the human brain helps explain why people everywhere fill their lives with music.
About Ms. Lacasse
About Ms. Lacasse
Allison Lacasse is the Director of Bands at Belmont High School in Belmont, Massachusetts. In addition to her conducting and teaching duties in Belmont, Allison is the Artistic Director for the University of Rhode Island Summer Music Academy Chamber Music Intensive program. Allison currently teaches a flute studio of beginner through advanced students in the Greater Boston area. Allison is on operational staff for the Western International Band Clinic in Seattle, Washington and the American Band College in Ashland, Oregon. She is proud to be the Conducting Fellow for the Senior Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble at New England Conservatory.
Allison is a professional flutist and chamber musician in Boston, Massachusetts. She has performed on flute & piccolo for a number of local community orchestras, including the Cambridge Symphony and Boston Civic Symphony. She has performed in notable performance spaces such as Jordan Hall and Symphony Hall. She performed in the NYU Summer Chamber Music Institute in 2010 with the Quintet of the Americas and was a member of the fellowship program at the Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival at Juilliard in 2012.
Allison received Bachelor of Music degrees in Music Education and Performance from the University of Rhode Island, a M.Ed. degree from Cambridge College, and a Master’s Degree in Music Education from the American Band College with Central Washington University. Allison was a semifinalist for the 2017 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. In 2018, Allison was selected among her peers for the Massachusetts Music Educators Association Advocacy Award.
About Mr. Goddu
About Mr. Goddu
Kevin Goddu is a Band Director and Music teacher at Belmont Middle High School in Belmont, Massachusetts. Mr. Goddu currently teaches the 7th and 8th grade concert band, music exploration, high school music production, high school guitar, the BMS Jazz Band and the BHS Jazz Band. In addition to his duties in Belmont, Kevin is the Assistant Director of Pep Bands for the University of Massachusetts Lowell, the Assistant Director of the Mary Jo Leahey Symphonic Band Camp at UMass Lowell, and works for the Office of Instrumental Music Outreach which provides music education for the Greater Merrimack Valley.
Prior to his service in Belmont, he taught in Natick and Marblehead Massachusetts teaching a variety of band and music courses. Kevin holds a Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree in Music Education from the University of Massachusetts Lowell where he studied saxophone.
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