Hampshire Regional High School

Date: Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Time: 7 pm
Where: Westhampton, MA
What: A Holiday Concert

I have to admit that when the Beginning Band started playing at Hampshire Regional High School's holiday concert, I thought I was in for a long night. But I was wrong. The concert was outstanding in large part due to Dara Adams-Smith, who directs the band, and Rebecca Phelps, who leads the choruses. These two women take seventh graders who are just learning to play and turn them into talented, confident musicians and singers by the time they reach high school. The sexy "Baby It's Cold Outside" was almost too good given the ages of the two couples. "Feliz Navidad" and "Sleigh Bells," performed by the Concert Band, sounded like the Boston Pops were playing--maybe better. The show-stealer "You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch," sung by the Gentlemen of the Chorus, was incredibly well done--these young men reminded me of Amherst College's all-male a cappella group, the Zumbyes. If you want to get in the spirit, I highly recommend adding this concert to your holiday schedule next year. It's worth it. (I was there to see my amazingly talented nephew Kevin, a middle schooler, play the flute with the Concert Band. If he's this good now, he'll be off the charts by the time he's in high school. Thank you, Dara Adams-Smith!)