About Our Program

The Concord Public School Band Program consists of bands at Concord Middle School and all three elementary schools: AlcottThoreau and Willard. Students may participate in curricular bands starting in the fourth grade. At the middle school, honors ensembles are offered to all students.

For information on the other music offerings at Concord Middle School, click here.

Band is available to all students in Concord once they enter the fourth grade. Registration takes place at the end of the year each year (for example, to participate in band in fourth grade, students register at the end of third grade). Registration is available here.

Band begins with a focus on fundamentals and ensemble skills. In their second year, students build upon this foundation and may even branch out to other instruments in their family. At the middle school students have the opportunity to audition for select groups and perform a variety of musical styles and at CCHS the possibilities continue to grow.

More information on our ensembles, including rehearsal schedules, can be found in the Handbook.

About Our Directors

Mr. Christopher Noce

Christopher Noce has taught bands in Concord, Massachusetts since 2013. Under his direction, the Concord Bands have received numerous accolades from the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors’ Association (MICCA), Massachusetts Association for Jazz Education (MAJE) and the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA). His ensembles have commissioned new works for concert band and performed on some of the region’s most iconic stages. The culture and community built within and around the Concord Bands is a major point of focus and pride for the program.

Christopher holds a Bachelor’s of Music in Music Education from Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA) and a Master’s of Music in Music Education from Boston University. He is an active member of the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME) and the MMEA, where he has served in several leadership-level positions including Eastern District Chairperson and All-State Concert Coordinator. Christopher maintains an active musical life both on and off the podium as a clinician, conductor, performer and teacher.

Christopher lives in Worcester, Massachusetts with his wife Emma, daughter Margot and son Reuben, where they enjoy all that the metropolis’s second-city status has to offer a young family.

Mr. Paul Halpainy

Mr. Halpainy has been with the Concord Public Schools since 2013. Paul holds a Bachelor’s of Music in Music Education from Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA) and a Master’s of Music in Music Education from Boston University.

Prior to teaching in Concord, Paul taught Instrumental Music in the Mattapoisett School District and General Music in the Chelsea Public Schools. Paul is an active performer and plays trombone with several local bands.

Paul is a member of the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association (MICCA), the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME) and the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA).

As an active member of MMEA, Paul has served the Eastern District as Junior Festival Jazz Ensemble Manager (2016) and Assistant Manager (2015). He is currently serving as Junior Festival Manager. On the statewide level, Paul has served as the All-State Concert Chair (2018) and Assistant Concert Chair (2017)


Both directors’ ensembles have received accolades from the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association (MICCA) and Massachusetts Association for Jazz Education, in addition to other state and local festivals.

Awards & Recognition

 
 
 
 
 
2021 - Present


MICCA Concert Festival. 6th Grade Concert Band: Silver Medal; 7th Grade Concert Band: Silver Medal; 8th Grade Concert Band: Bronze Medal


Recognition & Highlights
Elementary Honor Band Conductor: Dr. Sommer Forrester

 
 
 
 
 
2019 - 2021


MICCA Concert Festival Cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic

MAJE Junior Festival Cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic


Recognition & Highlights
Jazz Night Guest Artist: John Mastroianni (2019/20)

 
 
 
 
 
2018 - 2019


MICCA Concert Festival 6th Grade Concert Band: Gold Medal; 7th & 8th Grade Concert Band: Gold Medal

MAJE Junior Festival Jazz Band A: Silver Medal


Recognition & Highlights
Wind Ensemble NYC Performance Trip (performance at Lincoln Center Plaza, workshop w/ Dr. Peter Boonshaft), Jazz Night Guest Artist: George Murphy, Elementary Honor Band Conductor: Jeff Leonard

 
 
 
 
 
2017 - 2018


MICCA Concert Festival 6th Grade Concert Band: Gold Medal - Showcase Performance at Boston Symphony Hall; 7th & 8th Grade Concert Band: Silver Medal

MAJE Junior Festival Jazz Band A: Silver Medal


Recognition & Highlights
Wind Ensemble Performance at Berklee Scholastic Invitational

 
 
 
 
 
2016 - 2017


MICCA Concert Festival 6th Grade Concert Band: Gold Medal - Showcase Performance at Boston Symphony Hall; 7th & 8th Grade Concert Band: Silver Medal

MAJE Junior Festival Jazz Band A: Silver Medal; Jazz Band B: Silver Medal

 
 
 
 
 
2015 - 2016


MICCA Concert Festival 6th Grade Concert Band: Silver Medal; 7th & 8th Grade Concert Band: Silver Medal

MAJE Junior Festival Jazz Band A: Bronze Medal


Recognition & Highlights
World Premier: “From the Concord Chronicles: The Shot Heard ‘Round the World” (6th Grade Concert Band) and “Resplendent Light” (7th & 8th Grade Concert Band) by Tyler S. Grant

 
 
 
 
 
2014 - 2015


MICCA Concert Festival 6th Grade Concert Band: Silver Medal; 7th & 8th Grade Concert Band: Silver Medal