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    Orion Performing Arts Center
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AUDITIONS for Mt. Ararat Middle School play-- "The Wind in the Willows"  MAMS students only.  Tues. and Thurs., Jan. 6 and 8, after school, 2:30-4:20. Students who want to be in the play should attend both auditions.  Directed by Adam Blais.


MAHS and MAMS Chorus Concert   Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015 -- 7 pm 
Lovely music for a cold winter night. Directed by Kristen Thomas.




Elementary Band Concert  
(all MSAD75 elementary schools)  and hear the Mt Ararat Jazz Band start things off.
Wednesday, Jan. 21, 7 pm  Enjoy the music of our budding young musicians.  Free of charge.  Directed by Dawne-Marie Powers.


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Midcoast Symphony Orchestra  "America the Beautiful"   Sunday, Jan. 25, 2:30 pm
            A concert featuring 
American composers  Jubilee (from Symphonic Sketches)   George Whitefield Chadwick.  This piece will be performed with Student Musicians alongside the regular MSO musicians.  Grand Canyon Suite    Ferde Grofe     Symphony No. 2, Op.32 ("Gaelic") Amy Beach
Conductor: Rohan Smith.  Tickets $20 at the door or online.  Free for age 18 and younger.  More info at midcoastsymphony.org


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"How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"  Spring Musical by Mt. Ararat Stage Company
Friday, Mar. 6 , 7 pm Saturday, Mar. 7, 7 pm   
Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-Winning musical How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying is written by Frank Loesser, Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, and Willie Gilbert.  It follows the rise of J. Pierrepont Finch, who uses a little handbook called "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying" to climb the corporate ladder from lowly window washer to high-powered executive.   This production features a large cast of students led by seniors Sam Allen as J. Pierrpont Finch and Charlie Gill as Mr. Biggley, featuring Juliet Williams as Rosemary, Kate Graeff as Smitty, Daphenie Thenor as Miss Jones, Cha Cha Jerome as Hedy La Rue, Daniel Blake as Budd Frump, and Markis Larrivee as Mr. Twimble/Mr.Womper. The ensemble of businessmen and secretaries includes Kobie Appleby, Emelia Beattie, Jacob Bickford, Connor Bolduc, Bailey Charron, Sula Demers, Kelsie Dickey, Macey Downs, Elyssa Eldridge, Garrett Gelwick, Jack Herard, Madison Leckbee, Temple Miller-Hodgkin, Maddie Plant. Backstage crew includes Maddy Wilson as Stage Manager, Nichole Ricker as Director Assistant, Ivy Dennen in wardrobe, and Lizzie Garver on Props. The production will also feature a number of student musicians in the orchestra. The production is Directed and Choreographed by Adam P. Blais, with Musical Direction by Kristen Thomas, Costume Design by Travis Grant, and Technical Direction by Jim Alexander.

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BAND-O-RAMA  Thursday, Mar. 12  Concert at 7 pm
Great collaboration among Mt. Ararat, Brunswick, and Morse (Bath) High School bands.  The bands practice all afternoon.   Always a super show!

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Midcoast Symphony Orchestra Concert  "Called to the Dance"      Sunday, March 15, 2:30 pm  Yoichi Udagawa, Guest Conductor     Roman Carnival Overture, Op. 9          Hector Berlioz
Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64   Felix Mendelssohn  Tessa Lark, Violin Soloist
Symphony No.8 in G Major, Op. 88    Antonin Dvorak  Tickets available at www.midcoastsymphony.org or at the door.  $20 adult, free ages 18 and under.


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Tessa Lark by Breakall Photography
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Art Awards Reception and Ceremony--MSAD75 Art Students  Thursday, March 19   (Snow date: Tuesday, March 24)    5 pm--Exhibit & Reception in lobby;  6 pm--awards ceremony in theater.  Students from elementary through high school will show art and receive awards.   

NHS Variety Show  (Mt Ararat HS students)  Friday, Mar. 20 and Saturday,Mar. 21, 7 pm
Come enjoy Mt. Ararat High school's finest talents at our annual variety show. We have singers, comedians, dancers and more!   The cost is $7 or bring a canned good and it’s just $5. The canned good is to support our local food shelters.  

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Mt. Ararat Middle School Band Concert  Wednesday, March 25, 7 pm  
Ms. Landis and Mr. Graffam conduct the spring concert for the 6th-grade, 7th & 8th-grade, and jazz bands. 

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Friday, March 27   7:30 pm-12 midnight      Saturday, March 28: 10am-12 midnight 
Presented by Downeast Friends of the Folk Arts. Dancing, workshops, music, food--and more!  Friday evening and Saturday all day and into the night...  A favorite of contra-dancers and traditional musicians in Maine!  More info. at www.deffa.org

Piano Recital--Students of Linda Craig
Monday, March 30, 6:30 pm
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The Wind in the Willows    MAMS School play  Thursday, April 9, 7 pm; Friday, April 10, 7 pm
Tickets at the door: Student/Sr $5, Adult $8 
 The production features the onstage and offstage talents of over 50 students under the direction of local director and choreographer Adam P. Blais and student director Samuel Allen.


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Maine Coast Heritage Trust Land Conservation Conference  Saturday, April 25, 8 am-4 pm
MCHT's annual conference, with workshops, land fair, keynote speaker, and more... register at www.mcht.org.

Parent Information Night    (Parents of 5th-graders of MSAD#75--an introduction to Mt. Ararat Middle School) 
Tuesday, April 28, 5:30 pm  Principal Bill Zima welcomes you in the Orion, and then parents visit teachers in the classrooms. 


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"Alice in Wonderland"   The Ballet School   Spring Concert
Saturday and Sunday, May 2 and 3, at 2 pm

Elizabeth Drucker's students present a lovely dance performance each year. www.theballetschool.com

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Make A New Dance Up   Year-end Performance by The Moving Company Dance Studio
  (Formerly Brunswick School of Dance)  Saturday, May 9, 1 pm
A dance concert by Joanna Patterson’s young dancers.  Soggy Dog Designs photo. from Dance Performance 2014


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Midcoast Maine's Got Talent!  Sat., May 9, 7 pm
Fun tradition.  This event is to raise money for scholarships for graduating seniors.  Info at Rotary facebook page.

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Midcoast Symphony Orchestra Concert  “Growing Into The Future"  Sunday, May 17, 2:30 
Festive Overture in A Major, p.96     Dmitri Shostakovich    
Commissioned Anniversary Piano Concerto  Vin Shende      with George Lopez,  Piano Soloist
"The Planets"         Gustav Holst   info at www.midcoastsymphony.org


MSAD75 District Elementary Band and Chorus Concert  
Wednesday, May 13, 7 pm 
Young musicians perform under the direction of Dawne-Marie Powers and other elementary music teachers.
 

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Eat at the 99 on May 20--  Help the Orion!  Eat at the 99 Restaurant in Topsham on May 20, give them the voucher, and the Orion will get 15% of your bill.  Help us get better curtains, lights and sound.  Thanks, and see you there!

MAHS Band Concert  Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band    Tuesday, May 19, 7 pm


Southern New Hampshire University   Graduation Ceremony and Reception  Saturday, May 16, 1:00 pm
Graduation exercises in the Orion theater, followed by a reception in the gym.  Tickets required in advance from SNHU, Maine campus.


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3rd Annual Benefit Concert, with Kate Schrock, David Bullard, John Dennen, and others.  
Friday, May 22, 6:30 pm  Presented by Brunswick Coastal Rotary and MAMS Interact Club to benefit local and international projects. FEATURING:  KATE SHROCK • THE DAVID BULLARD BAND • JOHN DENNEN & KEN BRUMSWALD • AND LAURYN HOTTINGER  Tickets: 12 adult, $6 student, $30 Family

MSAD#75 Budget Hearing  Thursday, May 21, 6:30 pm
Some changes will be made to the budget at the meeting, due to state legislation on charter school funding. 

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Fusion Dance Academy  First Annual Spring Recital
Saturday, May 30, 5 pm

MAHS/MAMS Chorus Concert  Thursday, May 28, 7 pm
Enjoy lovely songs from Kristen Thomas's young students in high school and middle school.

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Maine Dance & Fitness Recital   Saturday, June 6, 4 pm
Betsy Haskell’s new dance studio in Topsham presents a dance concert.  Tickets at the door. 

 
Mt. Ararat Middle School Band Concert    Wednesday, June 3,     7 pm
Ms. Landis conducts the final concert for the 6th-grade, 7th & 8th-grade, and jazz bands.  "Pops" concert for entertainment of all ages. 


Star Teachings Society  Public Lecture   Sunday, May 31, 7 pm

Studio 48/New England Regional Theatre Co. presents    "13, a Musical"
Thursday, June 11, Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13 at 2 pm  


Merrymeeting Summer Band Camp  July 6-10, 8 am to 3 pm     Concert:  Friday, July 10, at noon
Fun with music, instruments, and friends.  Taught by music teachers from SAD75 and Brunswick schools. Contact Al Graffam for more info--729-2951. 


CANCELED 2015.  Look for camp next year. 
Create-A-Play Theater/Art Summer Camp   Mon-Fri, July 13-17, 9 am-4 pm.    Play Performance — Fri, July 17 at 3 pm
NEW summer camp for middle-school age students.  Campers imagine the characters, collaborate to write a play, make the sets, props and costumes, and perform the play on the last day. Limited space.  Registration forms online at ww.orionperformingartscenter.org
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Jonathan Edwards   in concert   Friday, July 31, 7:30 pm
"Warm as summer sunshine, real as the truth, intimate as a long overdue visit between old friends … such is a Jonathan Edwards concert.  Four decades into a stellar career of uncompromising musical integrity, the man simply delivers, night after night – songs of passion, songs of insight, songs of humor, all rendered in that pure and powerful tenor which, like fine wine, has only grown sweeter with age." --from jonathanedwards.net.  Presented by and Fundraiser for  Stone Soup Institute, Harpswell. 

Superintendent's Welcome-Back for Teachers, MSAD75  Tuesday, Aug. 25, 8:30 am

Curriculum Night for Parents,  Mt. Ararat Middle School   Tuesday, Sept. 15, 6:30 pm
Meet the new Principal, Josh Ottow, and Vice Principal, Megan Hayes Teague, in the Orion and MAMS teachers in their classrooms.  Learn about what your children will be learning this year. 
Star Teachings Society   Lecture & Music    Friday, Sept. 18, 7 pm    Free to the public 
Awakening spiritual consciousness, bringing forth the teachings of Light.  Speakers:  David Lonebear Sanipass, Jaclyn Ouillete, Faith Johnson, and Music by Meg Yates.    (Not affiliated with or endorsed by the school or district.)

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Juston McKinney, Comedian "Blue Collar Comedy: The Next Generation"  Sat, Sept. 26, 8 pm    $15 donation at the door   Friends of Eagles Hockey present a fundraiser for the MTA boys' ice hockey team.    Juston McKinney grew up in rural Maine near the NH border, worked as a deputy sheriff, and later moved to New York.  He is currently developing his web series, “Hosed,” into a full-length feature film.  Juston lives in New Hampshire with his wife, kids and dogs!  www.justonmckinney.com

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Mainely Improv  on-the-spot Comedy    Friday, Oct. 2, 7:30 pm   Presented by Orion Performing Arts Center--benefit for Orion Stage Improvement.  Comic situations are based entirely on audience suggestions.  The performers improvise hysterical comedy before your eyes!  Every show is different.  Great Fun for the whole family!  Tickets for sale at MSAD#75 Business Office, or at the door, or at BrownPaperTickets.

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Fiddle-icious!  Sat, Oct. 17, 7:30 pm
Fun and lively evening of fiddle music featuring tunes from our Scottish, Irish, Quebecois, and Acadian ancestors.  Maine's largest fiddle orchestra celebrates its 12th season.   Tix at door, $10; students $5. Children under 12 free. Fiddle-icious is a non-profit, all volunteer community organization with members from Kittery to Augusta. Fiddle-icious is a large and vibrant group of Maine musicians playing fiddle, piano, harp, guitar, banjo, accordion, cello, tin whistle, concertina and upright bass.  Fiddle-icious is directed by Don Roy, a designated Master Fiddler from Gorham, who is hailed as a "living cultural treasure" here in Maine.  Don and his wife, Cindy Roy, providing piano accompaniment, both grew up in French-Canadian families where music was an integral part of their lives.  Taste the Music!   
(Not affiliated with or endorsed by the school or district.)

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  Midcoast Symphony Orchestra   "Music from the Masters"   Sun,  Oct. 23, 2:30 pm
Mozart:  Overture to The Magic Flute   Haydn:  Symphony No. 104 in D major
Tchaikovsky:  Symphony No. 4 in F minor  
Tix:  Public: $20;  Student 18 or under: free. Online www.midcoastsymphony.org  or at door.  (Not affiliated with or endorsed by the school or district.)

"Freedom Tour" Info. Session  Wed, Oct. 28, 6 pm   
Parents and students can learn about the exciting  springtime trip to NYC, Philadelphia, Gettysburg and Washington, D.C.--available for 8th-graders.  Leader: Sheriff Joel Merry.
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Orion Presents!  Again!  Benefit for Orion Stage Improvement
Beatles for Sale  Beatles Tribute Band    ** All-new show **  Fri., Nov. 6,  7:30 pm   
Award-winning Beatles tribute band committed to  re-creating the sounds of the Beatles, live, in concert. No costumes or Beatle wigs--just all the great songs.  Fun, energetic performance!
Tickets $17 on sale now online and at Michaud's Market, Main St.,  Topsham; The Music Center, Tontine Mall, Brunswick; and MSAD#75 Business Office, 50 Republic Ave, Topsham.  


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THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR!  Beatles For Sale is sponsored by Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott, Brunswick.   Thanks for providing rooms for the band!    Reservations number is 866-342-7238. 

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"Almost, Maine"  Fri., Dec. 4, 7 pm;   Sat., Dec. 5, 7 pm  
Play by John Cariani, presented by Mt. Ararat Stage Company
About the play:  Welcome to Almost, Maine, a town that's so far north, it's almost not in the United States, it's almost in Canada. And it almost doesn't exist.  ALMOST, MAINE: It's love. But not quite.  The cast included Jacob Bickford as Lendall, Daniel Blake as Jimmy, Ally Collins as Gayle/Deena, Connor Bolduc as East/Phil/Dave, Kelsie Dickey as Marci, Griffin Downs as Pete/Steve, Macey Downs as Sandrine/Hope, Elyssa Eldridge as Shelly/Rhonda, Kate Graeff as Glory, Jack Herard as Daniel, Lidiya Savchuk as Villian, Campbell Tanskerley as Ginette, Faith Williams as Suzette, and Maddy Wilson as Marvalyn.   The crew will include Autumn Flibotte, Mae Flibotte, Alyssa Folger, Markis Larrivee, Cassdiy Madore, Maddie Plant, Nichole Ricker, Emily Robbins, Emily Smith, Patrick Sullivan, and Juliet Williams. Check MASC's website,  http://mtastage.weebly.com/

Concert Bands  Winter Concert -- Mt. Ararat High School & Middle School   Mon., Dec. 14,  7 pm   
 High School band and Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble; 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade bands.  Lots of young talent!  Conducted by Al Graffam and Margie Landis.  Admission free. 


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