A Musical Renaissance: Inside the Claflin Hill Youth Symphony Relaunch

In The Gap: The Symphony Season Concludes As Our Focus Shifts to Summer Park Concerts Throughout the Region

Claflin Hill Looks Back on Season 26 and Launches Family Night at the Bandstand Season 31In this episode of Classical Gassing, music director Paul Surapine reflects on Claflin Hill’s recently completed 26th symphony season and previews the upcoming 31st season of free summer park concerts, Family Night at the Bandstand, based at Milford Town Park while touring Blackstone, Medway, Whitinsville, Holliston, and Grafton. They discuss recent financial challenges, new programming such as a symphonic wind ensemble concert, season highlights including Dvořák’s Ninth and Sashiko Murata performing the Strauss Oboe Concerto, the Homage to Heritage concert honoring Judge Larkin, and expanded chamber music offerings. The conversation emphasizes growth signaled by a 60% season-ticket increase tied to outreach concerts, the break-even sponsorship model, a fundraising goal nearing $150,000, and the relaunch of the youth orchestra led by alumni, framed as vital music education that builds responsibility, socialization, and skills amid school cutbacks and screen culture; the summer series begins July 7 with the Fantasy Big Band.00:00 Season Wrap And Reset01:52 Challenges And Next 2503:25 New Programming Highlights04:48 Youth Orchestra Legacy07:30 Summer Bandstand Preview09:59 Outreach Growth Strategy12:05 Culture As A Business14:32 Fundraising Goals And Solvency17:05 Why Music Education Matters19:35 Summer Kickoff And Farewell

A Musical Renaissance: Inside the Claflin Hill Youth Symphony Relaunch

Bernadette Stockwell sits down with Anna Damigella—wind ensemble director, program revival co-founder, and band director at Melican Middle School—and Zach Surapine, strings director for the Youth Symphony revival and Paul’s son, to discuss the relaunch of the Claflin Hill Youth Symphonies after the pandemic brought in-person music-making to a halt. Anna and Zach reflect on their own musical beginnings. Anna shares her journey from trumpet and piano student to degrees at Ithaca College and American Band College. Zach recalls starting on clarinet and violin, performing with the MetroWest Youth Symphony and Claflin Hill Youth Symphony, and finding his path as an educator. Together, they explore how youth orchestra programs complement school music by offering a more focused, high-level ensemble experience—one that deepens musicianship while fostering mentorship, accountability, and lifelong friendships. Anna describes her experience at Claflin Hill as life-changing, highlighting the mentorship she received from Erich Ledebuhr, principal trumpet of the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra. The conversation goes beyond music, examining the broader life skills cultivated in ensemble settings: belonging and community, sustained attention in rehearsal, preparation and responsibility, communication and collaboration, time management, and learning how to learn. At its core, they emphasize music not just as an activity, but as a lifelong source of meaning and connection. As they look ahead to the first relaunch concert in fall 2026, their hope is simple: that students and audiences alike feel pride, joy, and a lasting love of music. Learn more at www.claflinhill.org [https://www.claflinhill.org/youthsymphonies] or contact the Youth Symphony at claflinhillyouthsymphony@gmail.com. Episode Chapters 00:00 First Notes & a Fainting Clarinetist: Why Music Class Sticks With Us 00:41 Welcome to Classical Gassing + Youth Symphonies Relaunch 01:31 Meet Anna Damigella: From First Trumpet Sound to Music Educator 02:48 Meet Zach Surapine: Growing Up in Claflin Hill & Finding His Path 04:00 From COVID Shutdown to Full-Circle Comeback: Why Relaunch Now 06:04 Building a Lifelong Music Community (and Why It’s “Life-Changing”) 07:25 Mentorship & Musical Growth: Beyond the Comfort Zone 09:40 The Mission: High Standards, ZPD, and Supporting School Programs 12:03 Belonging & Friendship: The Social Power of Ensembles

Heritage, Serenades & a Season to Remember: What’s Next at Claflin Hill?

It’s been an incredible season at the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra — and we’re not slowing down. In this episode, Bernadette sits down with Founder & Artistic Director Paul Surapine to reflect on a year filled with bold programming, unforgettable performances, and thrilling audience response — from the powerful, all-wind ensemble concert (10 winds, 6 percussionists, and not a string in sight!) to a season-opening New World Symphony and a radiant Strauss Oboe Concerto. Now, what’s next? 🎶 March 14 – “Homage to Heritage” A fascinating orchestral program exploring composers honoring composers: * Stravinsky’s Pulcinella Suite (a Baroque-inspired tribute) * Tchaikovsky’s Mozart-inspired Suite * Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances Music that looks backward — and somehow feels entirely fresh. 🎵 Wind Serenade Finale – Chamber Series at Apple Tree Arts A celebration of the serenade tradition featuring: * Dvořák’s Serenade for Winds * Mozart’s monumental Gran Partita Paul shares beautiful insight into what a “serenade” truly means — from village musicians gathering at dusk to Mozart writing music for his friends to play together. 💬 Along the way, the conversation explores: * Why bold programming matters in a 26th season * How great music keeps evolving * The joy of musicians reconnecting with repertoire they haven’t played since college * And how Claflin Hill continues to grow as a cultural hub in the community As Paul says: same ingredients — just a new presentation. 🎟️ Tickets and information: www.claflinhill.org [http://www.claflinhill.org] There’s more to come.

A Thriving Cultural Garden in Downtown Milford

What does it take to grow an orchestra—not just musically, but as a living, breathing part of a community? In this New Year episode of Classical Gassing, Bernadette Stockwell sits down with Paul Surapine, founder and executive & artistic director of the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra, for a wide-ranging conversation about growth, risk, regeneration, and why live performance still matters more than ever. Using the metaphor of an empty lot turned into a thriving garden, Paul reflects on Claflin Hill’s 25-year journey—from its earliest days to a season that many audience members are calling “the best yet.” Together, they explore the difference between rehearsal and performance, the electricity of a live audience, and why music created “warts and all” in the moment is irreplaceable. The conversation also looks ahead: * record-breaking season ticket growth * new and younger audiences finding Claflin Hill * regeneration among volunteers, donors, and musicians * the return of the Youth Orchestra * and an exciting lineup of upcoming chamber and symphony concerts It’s an honest, hopeful look at what it means to build something that lasts—and how a community helps it bloom. 🌍 Listener love note: In our inaugural podcast season, Classical Gassing reached listeners in five different countries, and we’re grateful for a growing group of Top Fans who continue to share, comment, and support the podcast. Learn more about the orchestra and upcoming performances at www.claflinhill.org [https://www.claflinhill.org/].

Hidden Gem, Unforgettable Sound: Finding Claflin Hill

How one audience member found Claflin Hill — and why the orchestra keeps pulling him back, season after season. A clarinet birthday gift. A chance connection. A first concert that changed everything. This week on Classical Gassing, CHSO Music Director Paul Surapine sits down with audience member Peter Vangsness, who shares how he discovered Claflin Hill — and why he now attends nearly every concert. From Symphony Hall to Tanglewood, Peter has heard orchestras across New England, and here he reflects on what makes CHSO special: its intimacy, its sound, its musicians, and its sense of community. A touching, funny, and heartfelt conversation for anyone who’s ever been moved by live music — or wondered how CHSO became one of the region’s best-kept cultural treasures. In this heartwarming episode of Classical Gassing, Paul Surapine sits down with longtime audience member Peter Vangsness, whose path to Claflin Hill began with an unexpected story involving a clarinet, a birthday gift, and a search for a teacher. Peter shares how he and his wife discovered the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra, what keeps them returning concert after concert, and why Milford Town Hall’s acoustics rival some of the finest venues in New England. From stories of Symphony Hall, Tanglewood, and Hartford, to reflections on what makes live music meaningful, this episode is a love letter to community, artistry, and the transformative power of sound. Paul and Peter explore: * 🎼 Why a town hall can sound as magnificent as Boston’s Symphony Hall * 🎻 The overlooked brilliance of CHSO’s string section * 🎺 What makes music “moving” vs. “not moving” * 🎹 The joy of discovering an orchestra “hidden in plain sight” * 🎵 How Claflin Hill balances classical masterpieces with new music * 🤝 Why community connection is as essential as the performance itself * 🎶 Why imperfection, risk-taking, and musical “edge” can make concerts unforgettable It’s a rich conversation full of stories, nostalgia, and genuine admiration — from one music lover to the orchestra that won his heart. #ClaflinHillSymphony #ClassicalGassing #ClassicalMusicPodcast #CommunityOrchestra #LiveMusicExperience #SymphonyStories #AudienceSpotlight #NewEnglandArts #OrchestraLife #MilfordMA