The Mighty Tigues are Giggin' at "The Hooley"

MPA's own Marysa Tigue & The Mighty Tigues are giggin' at "The Hooley" ("party" in Irish) at Kamm's Corner on Sat May 14. It's a HUGE event. Kid friendly, food, drinks, booths with wares - right here in West Park. About 2,000 people will be roaming the blocked off streets. The Mighty Tigues will be in full band form (incl. drums and possibly keys) & taking the main stage from 6-7:30pm. It's really fun! If you need a break from roaming the streets, there's tons of bars/restaurants to pop into, sit down, eat, drink, people watch, and enjoy!!!

B-W Conservatory Outreach Summer Music Programs - Last week to sign up!

This is the LAST WEEK the B-W Conservatory Outreach is accepting applications for middle school Summer Music Programs! Applications are available online and are due by May 1st! Feel free to give us a call with any questions at 440-826-2365.

Music Theatre Camp – Sunday, June 26 through Friday, July 1, 2011 Students who would like to enhance their singing, acting and movement skills should check out Music Theatre Camp! Group classes, as well as music theatre workshops and master classes with guest artists, including B-W Alumnus, Dominic Roberts who performed in Mary Poppins on Broadway, will be a part of this fun filled week.

Band Camp – Sunday, June 26 through Friday, July 1, 2011 Students who play woodwind, brass or percussion instruments are invited to join instrumentalists from across the state for a week of music and fun. Band camp offers the opportunity to play in one of three bands, jazz ensemble, chamber music and sectionals.

String Camp – Saturday, June 18 through Thursday, June 23, 2011 Violin, viola, cello and bass students will have an opportunity to play in one of 4 orchestras, chamber music ensembles, and sectionals with other students from across the state, and beyond.

Piano Camp – Saturday, June 18 through Thursday, June 23, 2011 Calling all piano students in grades 4 – 9 who have studied piano for at least 9 months! Piano Camp students will receive two 30-minute private lessons and have daily supervised practice sessions. In addition, piano students will participate in piano duet, music theory and music elective classes taught by B-W Conservatory faculty.

Find more information on our website: http://www.bw.edu/summer-music-programs

Arts Fair - A Great Success!

The 1st Annual Menlo Park Academy Arts Fair was held April 10, 2011 and was a wonderful time for all! Created to highlight the students talents in the arts, specifically the visual arts and performance, the event was created and run by a small team of parent volunteers co-chaired by Melanie Nealis and Jill Milenski and supported by Ms. DeCapite (art teacher) and Ms. Leib (music teacher).




Adults and children listened intently to the youthful sounds of 24 musicians performing on piano, violin, trumpet, drums, flute and voice throughout the building, hallways, library and the gym stage. Crowds could also be found gathered around a dancer, poet, and some hip hop dancers/musicians.

"Wax Figure Artists" were stationed throughout the school in a "frozen" position" until you drop a coin into their box. They would then come alive and tell you something about themselves and give you the opportunity to guess who they were portraying. These students had chosen to research and dress up as a famous artist or composer and included artists such as Leonardo da Vinci.


Artwork from all art classes and electives were beautifully arranged throughout the building and is still on display for all who visit the school. The day came to an end with an ice cream social and many smiles. Plans are already underway for the next years event with hopes to incorporate the "Wax Figure Artist" element into the school's curriculum and involve even more students.

MPA musicians entertain seniors, warm hearts

Tuesday the musicians from MPA did a beautiful job performing for the audience of seniors at the day care center.  The violin ensemble performed the first set of pieces, the choir performed their pieces and the violin soloists closed the program. The audience received them warmly and the students performed with grace and poise!  

After they performed, each student went into the audience to say a personal greeting to each senior, many students shaking their hands and offering a warm word.  It was such a joy to see them interacting with the seniors and so appreciated.  Thank-you so much for your support and for helping the students practice their music and to get their instruments to school, both for the elective classes, rehearsals and the performances.

There was one senior in the audience that had lost her ability to speak, due to dementia.  Most of the time, she sat still in her chair, staring forward and unresponsive.  When the children performed, she was smiling and tapping her foot gently.  Afterwards, she sat still again, staring and not able to speak.  For one hour today, the children were able to give this lady so much joy, despite the progression of her dementia.  It made me, once again, aware of the importance of music in stimulating memory and emotions.  Music has been used as a powerful tool in therapy with people with Alzheimer's type dementia. Music was today, for our MPA musicians and for the seniors at this facility, a universal, multi-cultural, multi- generational language.

Musically yours,

Ardis Billey