UMass Lowell Marks Program’s 20th Year with Concert, Events

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More than 100 middle- and high-school students from across the Northeast will hone their music skills during the 20th annual Mary Jo Leahey Symphonic Band Camp this summer.

07/14/2016

Media contacts: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944 or Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu and Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

* Media Advisory *

Monday, July 18 through Saturday, July 23

What: More than 100 middle- and high-school students from across the Northeast will explore their musical talents and perform for the public during the 20th annual Mary Jo Leahey Symphonic Band Camp at UMass Lowell.

Participants in the intensive, week-long program are from more than 50 communities across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. The students will immerse themselves in music classes and rehearsals as they get to know each other, live at UMass Lowell and experience campus life. Participants do not audition to attend the program but must demonstrate a desire to pursue musical virtuosity in their chosen instruments. Rehearsals for ensembles and mixed chamber groups will be held in the mornings. Music classes on topics including conducting, composing and sound recording technology will be held in the afternoons. All sessions and events are open to the media.

On Tuesday, July 19 at 7 p.m., the public will hear the students perform the national anthem before a Lowell Spinners game at LeLacheur Park, located next to UMass Lowell’s East Campus at 450 Aiken St., Lowell. The Spinners are a minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.

On Saturday, July 23 at 3 p.m. the program will celebrate its 20th year at a reception for the camp’s alumni, faculty and friends. Program alumnus and trumpet player, Reynaldo Santana of Methuen, a UMass Lowell graduate and human resources professional, will share how his camp experience has made a difference in his life.

Also on Saturday, July 23, at noon, the musicians will perform a free concert for the public at Durgin Hall on UMass Lowell’s South Campus. The program will include the premiere of “Old North Bridge: A Symphonic March” written by composer James Hosay, who will conduct.

Debra-Nicole Huber, UMass Lowell’s director of instrumental music outreach and associate director of university bands, leads the program. Huber earned her music degree at UMass Lowell and is one of a handful of women serving as concert band conductors in the United States. The summer camp was established by Mary Jo Leahey, a 1937 UMass Lowell graduate who was a beloved music teacher and philanthropist.

Where: Durgin Hall, South Campus, 35 Wilder St., Lowell. Contact UMass Lowell media relations for directions and parking information.