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Arts & Entertainment

Fostering Lynnfield's Young Musicians

LHS Director of Instrumental Music Tom Westmoreland details the high school's instrumental music program and accompanying band boosters including a show this Sunday.

Instrumental Music Program (LHIMP), led by Director, Tom Westmorehead, is one of Lynnfield High's most popular classes and extra curricular activities.

“The Lynnfield High School Instrumental Music Program consists of a concert band that's a class that meets during the day. We also have a co-curricular jazz program that meets before school five days a week,” said Westmoreland.

Boosters Play A Significant Role

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With about 40 students from every grade level in the concert class and the jazz ensemble, LHIMP also regularly gathers boosters (parents and enthusiasts of LHIMP) for their yearly events.

“All of our band parents are boosters, but there is a core of about a dozen regular boosters that do most of the grunt work,” explained Westmoreland.

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The most successful events that LHIMP have done in the past include: regular Spring trips to popular jazz and other music towns like Nashville and New Orleans (this year it's Chicago), playing at Lynnfield High football games, playing in the Veteran's Day and Memorial Day parades in town, and other state-wide festivals.

Fundraising Is Key

The LHIMP is able to afford all these activities due to the fund raising efforts by the boosters. Some of the fund raising opportunities that the boosters organize are: a yearly pie sale in October and November, car washes at St. Paul's church in late spring, and a usual refreshment stand at the summer concert series on the commons.

“It's nice to have a good group of parents stand up and fight for the program and help out with all the fund raising,” mentioned Westmoreland.

Other monies raised through the on-going efforts of boosters help with new instruments for the band, instrumental repairs, guest artists, trips, and music clinics for the players.

“I can't forget about all the amazing work the boosters do for us when they advocate for us through School Committee and Selectmen Meeting's as well, that is priceless,” said Westmoreland.

Sweet Jazz Festival Is Sunday at LHS

The LHIMP's next big to-do will be their Sweet Jazz Music Festival which takes place Sunday, February 13th from 2-4 PM in the Lynnfield High School cafeteria.

“It's an afternoon of sweet jazz and delicious treats, brownies, cookies and fresh fruit [...] This event will help raise awareness and some funds for our program,” explained Westmoreland.

If you are interested in joining the band boosters, Westmoreland asks that you contact him directly by emailing him at westmorelandt@lynnfield.k12.ma.us.

For more information on the band boosters and the LHIMP, head over to their website by clicking here.

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