Support Grows For School Cultural Event To Benefit Edmond Town Hall

By Eliza Hallabeck

For the first time, according to Newtown Middle School PTA Cultural Arts Chair Andrea Spencer, the Newtown Public Schools PTA and the community are coming together to support a possible classical music performance at Edmond Town Hall on May 15 by the Synergy Brass Quintet that will have all proceeds benefiting the town hall, if money can be raised by April 30 for the event.

Ms Spencer, who has been working with Hawley and Reed PTA Cultural Arts Chair Robin Fitzgerald and Head O’ Meadow Cultural Arts Chair Ginny Bloomquist to bring the event together, said bringing the Synergy Brass Quintet to Newtown began last May. According to the group’s website, www.synergybrass.com, the group performs more concerts than anyone in classical music today, and the Synergy Brass Quintet averages nearly 300 engagements per year.

“Every school is on board to have the Synergy Brass Quintet at their school,” said Ms Spencer, including Newtown High School, where director of music Michelle Hiscavich is planning an in-house field trip for students.

Every school has its own cultural arts budget, said Ms Spencer, but this group was chosen to play at all of the schools.

“Somehow the stars aligned and the Synergy Brass Quintet was able to come to Newtown in May, the 10 through the 18, and just about every day is scheduled with something,” she said.

The group will be performing for assemblies at the schools and demonstrating their music for students in workshops at some of the schools.

Over the summer, the group contacted Ms Spencer and said they would be willing to put on a performance for the town for free if the PTAs would pay for the group to stay in the area for the week.

Rosa Sproviero, a general manager at Microtel Inn & Suites in Danbury has been helpful scheduling the group’s stay, according to Ms Spencer, and Microtel Inn & Suites offered to compensate one of the five rooms for the duration of the group’s stay.

“We figure $2,500 would cover our hotel bill, promotion, and anything else we might need to pull this concert off,” said Ms Spencer.

So far $850 has been raised for the performance, and Ms Spencer has asked that all people interested in donating to the cause to contact her at wspenbase@aol.com.

The Synergy Brass Quintet offers entertainment, she said, and the event will give parents the opportunity to see the types of cultural arts events their students see in school.

If the $2,500 can be raised, the Synergy Brass Quintet performance will happen at Edmond Town Hall on May 15 at 7:30 pm. Ticket prices will be $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $8 for students, with all proceeds from the show to go to Edmond Town Hall.

More information about the Synergy Brass Quintet is available at www.synergybrass.com.