On Friday, February 1, Dr. Jamie Spillane visited Farmington High School to work with the choral students.
Dr. Spillaine is the newly appointed Director of Choral Activities at the University of Connecticut. He worked with the FHS musicians in the Treble Choir, Womens Ensemble, Chamber Singers and Mens Ensemble. The students were excited to work with a college director and they learned a great deal about the program at the university.
Dr. Spillane said that the UConn choirs have many students who are not music majors.
"We have great vocalists who are Engineering, Communications, and Pre-Med majors."
He welcomed all who attend UConn in the future to come sing with him at the collegiate level. Each class performed for Dr. Spillane and he made them try new techniques andtake risks with their performance.
Christen Hernandez, FHS Choral Director said, "the students marveled at Jamie's high expectationsbut fun loving style."
Students asked him questions about the program after each rehearsal. An attached video and picture shows him singing and and dancing with the Mens Ensemble.
"Providing opportunities to work with university and college professionals, opens our students' eyes to possibilities for future music making," says Leslie Imse, FHS Choral Director and Farmington Public Schools Music Department Chair.
The Farmington Friends of Music supported this program through their Artist-In-Residence series.
Submitted by the Farmington High School Music Department.
