Music for All

Steve Muise

Many of you know Steve Muise, music teacher at Mt. Blue High School in Farmington and the leader of the Franklin County Fiddlers, now it its 22nd year.

Steve made this video to share with his own community and beyond. His own thoughts went to the many people in residential care homes who are unable to have musical programs from outside the facility as often happens during the holiday season. Not to mention how many students are missing the opportunity to offer their love of music to the residents. I’m thinking of all of you music teachers who include this tradition in your December.

This is quite the medley of songs and Steve makes it clear that he does not have the rights to any of the songs and that he is not selling anything. Steve has included traditional holiday tunes; Christmas music, secular winter tunes, a Hanukkah medley, and a medley of tunes from Provence, France. It’s all about sharing – a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to Steve!

Franklin County Fiddlers

Mt. Blue High School, Farmington

The Franklin County Fiddlers from Mt. Blue High School, Farmington, under the direction of music educator Steve Muise,  performed at the Maine International Conference on the Arts provided by the Maine Arts Commission on Thursday, October 6, at the Franco Center, in Lewiston. They were one of several pop-up performers that wowed the audience during the MICA conference! Below is a small clip of their pop-up performance.

Franklin County Fiddlers

Fiddlers on TV

Many of you know Mt. Blue High School music educator Steve Muise. He often has a smile on his face and clearly loves teaching music. His enthusiasm is infectious. Steve starts working with students in third grade on string instruments. The foundation that they receive leads many of them to participate in the Franklin County Fiddlers for 23 years. You can see and the students love performing in this video. Recently their story was aired on WCSH6 – 207 show. Check it out at THIS LINK.

Andy Forster Honored

Maine Music Educator Teacher of the Year

Music Educator Steve Muise spoke admirably while introducing his friend and colleague Andy Forster at the Maine Music Educators banquet last month at UMaine. Below are excerpts of what Steve said:

Andy exhibits excellence in all that he does and sets the bar high for himself and his musical colleagues and students. 

Andy Forster is:
• Concert and Jazz Band Director at Messalonskee High School
• Creator and instructor for the MHS recording and engineering class
• an exemplary trumpet performer
• a highly sought after guest conductor
• one who constantly seeks professional development to enrich teaching
• Conductor and Director of MMYO (Mid Maine Youth Orchestra)
• Founder and director of the Acadia Wind Ensemble
• Founder and director of the annual “Stan Kenton Holiday Big Band”
• Co-founder of the MHS summer band camp program
• a tireless advocate for music education
• an avid photographer, volunteer ski patroller, teaches ski patrol advanced first aid, and hiker
• he is humble, helpful, talented and caring as you will see in the attached   recommendations.

Andy’s support of RSU 18’s music program is his “Stan Kenton Holiday Big Band” project. Andy personally purchased the charts for several Stan Kenton arranged Christmas Carols.  He coordinates, and rehearses the band (an extended brass big band with french horns, consisting of the areas finest professional musicians). Last year, the Stan Kenton Big Band, plus RSU #18 music ensembles, and the Downeast Brass Quintet (another of Andy’s bands) raised money for Andy’s colleague’s choral trip to NYC this spring.

Andy assists at every school music event in RSU #18. He can usually be found setting up, breaking down, doing stage tech. and lighting, providing sound reinforcement, recording, teaching students how to record, and taking professional looking photographs. (This is often done during one of his own concert band concerts). He does this without complaint, and never hesitates to be of assistance to his music students, parents and colleagues.

Andy’s fabulous work in directing MMYO (Mid Maine Youth Orchestra) involves students and families throughout Central Maine in coming together to form a full orchestra. The orchestra students in MBRSD benefit greatly from this experience. In an age where many only look out for themselves, Andy truly looks out for everyone else.