Fun, learning harmonize with `Mr. Nick' at LHS.

Byline: Laura Porter

LEICESTER - From Mechanics Hall to Toronto, Old Sturbridge Village to New York City, the music program at Leicester High School is going places.

Music director Nick Narcisi - or "Mr. Nick," as his students call him - runs a small but vibrant program that emphasizes performing as well as a sophisticated understanding of music.

Most important, he said, "You make it fun for the kids."

During Mr. Narcisi's 25 years at Leicester High School, economic realities may have trimmed the arts budget, but music remains vital. Sixty of the 540 students at the high school participate in the band, concert choir, jazz band or a cappella group. Mr. Narcisi also teaches music theory and dictation, as well as an introduction to music appreciation for students who are interested in, rather than passionate about, music.

A key component of the program focuses on the opportunity to play in public.

"They perform a lot," he said, "And not just in a spring and a winter concert." In May, the chorus and concert band will play for graduation at Mechanics Hall.

The a cappella group, made up of eight girls chosen by audition, performs 15 to 20 times throughout the year, at rest homes, at Old Sturbridge Village and at the Festival of Trees in Southbridge, among other venues.

Also, every year the bands and the a cappella group travel, either to perform or to compete. In competitions, they have often placed

first or second in their divisions. Leicester High School frequently participates in the national Music in the Parks competition. Last year's a cappella group brought home a first-place finish from Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey.

"The students really like what they do," said Mr. Narcisi. "(Performing) makes them feel good about what they do and about themselves."

This year, with no competitions scheduled over the Memorial Day weekend, when they plan to travel, Leicester students will perform in Niagara Falls and Toronto.

"In a competition, you're restricted to two songs," said Mr. Narcisi. "The benefit of performing publicly (instead) is that they have leeway to do everything they love."

Senior Christine Begin sings in the a cappella group, as well as in the chorus, and also participates in musical theater through the high school's drama program. She loves the range of music she has learned.

"We're doing a lot of Broadway show pieces in a cappella this year," she said, "and Billy Joel, both in that group and in the chorus. We're now working on an African chant. We have also sung in Latin, French, Italian, German and English."

She credits the program - and Mr. Narcisi - with giving her confidence as well as developing her voice.

"I went from being afraid and sitting in the back to sitting right up front and singing loud," she said.

"He's a great teacher and a really strong conductor," said senior Andrew Walter, who plays the clarinet and soprano saxophone in the concert and jazz bands.

"He makes a lot of the nuances of music make sense."

The 40-piece concert band makes it possible to develop more intimacy than in a larger band or full orchestra. In addition, Andrew said, "we are learning dictation and music theory at a level that isn't usually taught until freshman or sophomore year in college."

Principal Thomas Lauder praises not only Mr. Narcisi's knowledge but also his passion for teaching and for music.

"He's the Pied Piper kind of guy," said Mr. Lauder. "He's cultivated (the program) and brought it to a new level. That's his expectation for the kids."

Music students raise money for their annual trips themselves, organizing voluntary tollbooths twice a year that produce $4,000 to offset their expenses.

"It's 100 percent profit and it all goes back to the kids," said Mr. Narcisi, who credits support from the parents as well as the town.

Now that music and arts programs have been cut from the lower grades, Christine Begin worries about the future of music education.

"Music is equal to the core classes, like English and math," she said. "Where are the entertainers of tomorrow going to come from if not from the kids of today? I can't afford outside vocal lessons. Mr. Nick has taken me to a far greater vocal range than I thought I could reach."

ART: PHOTOS

PHOTOG: T&G Staff/PAUL KAPTEYN

CUTLINE: (1) Leicester High School Music Director Nick Narcisi directs the school's concert band in a rehearsal. (2) Foreground, cornet player Ken McChance and trumpet players Adam Burks and Karalyn Jacques. Back, a cappella chorus members Aimee Dryden, Christine Begin, Sarah Ward, Heather Dupont, Megan Brennan and Amanda Eldred. (3) Above, flute player Nicole Walter and timpani player Anthony Narcisi of the Leicester High School Concert Band rehearse for an upcoming trip to Toronto.