WASHBURN, Maine — Students from various grades got to showcase their musical and artistic talents during a special event on Thursday evening at Washburn District Elementary School.
The first ever Music and Art Cafe was a collaboration between the 21st Century After-School Program and the district’s music department. Thirty-five elementary students from 21st Century displayed artwork with the theme of “Maine, The Beautiful,” in anticipation of the state’s 200th birthday in 2020.
As part of an hour-long program, 22 students in grades 5 through 12 performed vocal renditions of modern tunes and played pieces with instruments such as the trombone, French horn, clarinet, flute and keyboard.
Sarah Diette, music and band teacher for the SAD 45 school district in Washburn, said she has seen similar music and art cafes held at other schools and thought her students would benefit from the additional experience to perform.
“The students have put in a lot of extra practice time during the school day and on their own time,” Diette said. “It gives them a chance to perform in a way that’s different than our regular concerts and have that type of creative outlet.”
Many students collaborated with others for their performances, including 6th grader Damien DuMont and 8th grader Parker Corey, who performed a rousing rendition of “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars, on trumpet and drums, respectively. Fifth graders Clarice Leavitt, Jaici Rosi Carney and Hailey Cote sang “Little Do You Know” by Alex & Sierra, and seniors Lexi Carney and Samantha Churchill sang “Oceans” by Hillsong United.
Some students who showcased their instrumental talents were Dylan Evans, a freshman band member, who played “Nuvole Bianche” by composer Ludovico Einaudi, and 6th grader Emmerson Brown, who performed Symphony No. 1 on the French horn, with Diette accompanying her on piano. Sophomore Patrick Tardie sang and performed “Uprising” by Muse on electric guitar and later performed with his brother Paul Tardie, a senior, on “Aerials” by System of a Down.
“I’ve been playing guitar for a few years,” Patrick Tardie said. “I like how tonight everyone was able to show what songs they most like to perform.”
Organizers of the Music and Art Cafe raised funds from sales of student artwork and by charging audience members to vote on the most popular music performances. Proceeds went to both the 21st Century After-School Program and SAD 45 music department.
-
- High school freshman Dylan Evans performs “Nuvole Bianche” on keyboard during the Music and Art Cafe held at Washburn District Elementary School on March 28. (Melissa Lizotte | Star-Herald)
-
- Washburn District Elementary School 5th graders Clarice Leavitt (from left), Jaici Rosi Carney and Hailey Cote sing “Little Do You Know” during the Music and Art Cafe held at the school on March 28. (Melissa Lizotte | Star-Herald)
-
- Washburn District Elementary School 6th grader Damien DuMont (left) plays the trumpet while 8th grader Parker Corey plays the drums during their performance of “Uptown Funk” during the Music and Art Cafe at the school on March 28. (Melissa Lizotte | Star-Herald)
-
- Seniors Lexi Carney (left) and Samantha Churchill perform “Oceans” by Hillsong United during the Music and Art Cafe held at Washburn Elementary School on March 28. (Melissa Lizotte | Star-Herald)
-
- Washburn District Elementary School 6th grader Emmerson Brown performs “Symphony No. 1” on the French horn while her music teacher Sarah Diette accompanies on piano during a Music and Art Cafe held at the school on March 28. (Melissa Lizotte | Star-Herald)
