In 2021, WCMS commissioned a piece of music to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the school. The selected recipient of the commission is Stephen Feigenbaum, an alumnus of the school with a noted career as a composer, songwriter, and singer.

Posted by Sara Schwindt, Assistant Director
Throughout this school year, students from the WCMS Piano Department have been taking part in our very first Piano Composers' Project. We asked teaching artist Dana Dalton to describe the project and its process.

Posted by Laurie Russell, Executive Director
When we began the process last year of developing a new brand identity for WCMS, we never imagined that we would be rolling it out during a pandemic. Nonetheless, we are excited to share the results, which we hope will more clearly communicate what we do and who we serve.

Posted by Sara Schwindt, Assistant Director
Have you ever seen this incredible performance on two grand pianos by Hazel Scott (1920-1981)? It's from the 1943 film "The Heat's On." Over the course of her career, Scott garnered acclaim for her virtuosity as both a classical and jazz musician, and was one of the best-known Black performers of her time.

While our WCMS building is closed and we are unable to host live performances, we are presenting weekly online performances and educational programming from our (virtual) Home for Music! You can watch the videos individually, or check out the full playlist on YouTube.

Winchester Community Music School and WinCAM have developed a special video series to share musical joy with Winchester seniors and residents & staff in our local nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Music therapist Monika Gibbons has recorded the sing-along videos—some with guitar and some with piano—that feature songs well known especially to our senior residents.

Posted by Peter Morelli, WCMS piano faculty member
This month's blog post comes to you courtesy of WCMS faculty member Peter Morelli. Peter has been teaching at WCMS since Fall 2018 and teaches private piano and jazz piano lessons as well as group keyboard classes. Check out Peter's advice for musicians who would like to learn jazz, but may find it intimidating or not know where to start.

Posted by Sara Schwindt, Assistant Director
February is the second month of our new "Composer of the Month" initiative here at WCMS. One purpose of this initiative is to offer opportunities for whole-community engagement around each month's chosen composer. In honor of Black History Month, we celebrate the achievements and legacy of Florence Price.

Posted by Laurie Russell, Executive Director
Around this time of year, parents and students often start to ask about summer music programs. As a music educator, I love the idea of sending kids to festivals and camps because it can help students bridge those summer months by gaining new skills and knowledge. Our guest blogger, Kate Kayaian, shares her "5 Ways a Summer Music Festival Will Change Your Life."

Posted by Laurie Russell, Executive Director
It seems that the month of December is filled with music. So many of us have a favorite song or two that may remind us of our childhood, speaks to us spiritually, or is part of a holiday tradition. No matter what our celebrations may be at this time of year, music is a common thread throughout every culture.