Winchester Community Music School has commissioned a piece of music to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the school. A call for proposals went out last year to WCMS faculty past and present as well as students and alumni. The piece was to be written for wind ensemble with a community component. Proposals were reviewed in the fall by Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion Dept. Chair Sylvie Zakarian, clarinet faculty member Glenn Dickson and Executive Director Laurie Russell.

We are pleased to announce that WCMS alum Stephen Feigenbaum was awarded the commission of the anniversary piece. Stephen studied composition at WCMS with former faculty member Christos Koulendros. Stephen is now a composer, songwriter, and singer who works in a variety of disciplines, including classical, musical theater, and pop music. Many of his projects are driven by a passion for turning mainstream audiences into fans of classical music. He lives in California and has written works for ensembles such as the Cincinnati Pops and Boston Children’s Chorus.

The completed work was premiered by the WCMS Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion faculty with a chamber chorus from the Winchester High School Choral Program on Saturday, April 30. Stephen was able to join us for the premiere of the piece—a very special commemoration of the 40th year of WCMS.

This project is supported in part by a grant from the Winchester Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.