More than 20 Windham High School alumni gathered to share their talents and support
a music scholarship on Saturday, January 3rd, 2016, at the 18th annual Richard Nickerson Scholarship concert.
The
evening featured a variety of styles, from Broadway favorites and old standards
to the modern music of Adele. Though many of the numbers were solo acts, The
Side Notes, a mixed voice a cappella group, sang in delightful harmony with a
wistful Sting song and an energetic Beach Boys medley. Also interspersed among
the solos were a duet by sisters Jessica and Jenny Wood, and a father/daughter
duet by Matthew and Brenna Ryder.
Concert
highlights included original acts that exhibited the comprehensive talents of
two Windham musicians. 2015 graduate and RNS scholarship recipient Ceili
Spaulding performed a powerful, soulful original song titled You Take. 2011 graduate Logan Burns also
presented a strong, engaging original piece.
The
finale was a moving rendition of I’ll
Stand By You, a song that seemed particularly relevant to the event. Production
Manager Janelle LoSciuto, the 2002 scholarship recipient, said the award has played
a part in many of the participant’s lives. “It is former students coming
together to support current students. I think that’s special,” she said.
The
Richard Nickerson Scholarship fund was started in 1997 by parents of the
Windham Chamber Singers in appreciation of Dr. Richard Nickerson, director of
Windham High School choirs and the Windham Chamber Singers. Each year, $1,000
is awarded to a graduating senior who plans to pursue music in some way during his
or her college experience. LoSciuto said that although recipients don’t always
choose music as their major, “They always carry their passion for music with
them.”
LoScuito
says alumni are happy to return for the scholarship concert. “A lot of people
who received [the scholarship] feel connected to the program and the school, and
are willing to give back this way,” she said.
The
net is cast wide when seeking participants and any alumni who wish to
participate are welcome. LoScuito said she begins with a mailing list of former
WHS music students and those who have participated in the concert previously,
and then takes it to a more personal level through social media, phone calls
and emails. If the group was too large, they might ask performers to do duets
or ensemble pieces, but usually they end up with just the right number of
participants, said LoSciuto.
2017
will mark the 20th anniversary of the scholarship program though due
to a snow cancellation in 2010 it will only be the 19th concert. LoSciuto
said that next year’s concert, which will be held, as usual, on the first
Saturday in January will be a larger and more exciting event which will include
an alumni chorus directed by Dr. Nickerson.
