WickedLocal.com, MA
October 6, 2008

Braintree –

It’s been more than two years in the making but it’s finally here.

The long anticipated official opening of Thayer Academy’s new Center for the Arts will occur with a gala event on Oct. 18 and 19.

The opening will feature performances by Steven Tyler, lead singer of the rock band Aerosmith, the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, composer-pianist Suzanne Ciani (Thayer class of ‘64) and concert violinist Charles Castleman (Thayer class of ‘57).

“The completion of the new Center for the Arts represents a significant milestone in the history of the Academy,” says Thayer Headmaster Ted Koskores. “This new facility provides a proper showcase for the wonderful and creative work our students do in the performing and visual arts. It will also serve as a center for outside performance groups whose work will enrich the lives of our students, their families, and our friends and neighbors in Braintree and surrounding communities.”

The Center for the Arts includes a 540 seat, state of the art theatre, studio space for Thayer’s dance and choral music programs, and a space which allows students to participate in set design and construction. Additionally, the construction project allowed for the former performance space, Frothingahm Hall, to be converted into a home for an expanded visual arts program, including architecture, digital photography, painting and drawing, and ceramics.

The two day event is designed to offer opportunities for all members of the Thayer community to enjoy the new facility and appreciate the many benefits it will bring, both to Thayer students and to the communities Thayer serves. “Celebration Weekend” includes a Gala Fundraising Event on Saturday, Oct 18 beginning at 5:30 p.m., and a community open house on Sunday, Oct 19 from 1-4pm.

The Saturday Gala will include an elegant dinner served “under the tent” by The Catered Affair, followed by a program in the Center’s 540 seat auditorium, featuring performances by Thayer students; the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra (playing with Thayer alumni composer-pianist Suzanne Ciani and alumni concert violinist Charles Castleman); and a special guest appearance by Thayer parent and lead Aerosmith singer, Steven Tyler (Thayer Parent ‘07, ‘10).

The Sunday afternoon community open house (1-4 p.m.) is open to the public and will provide an opportunity for people from all over the South Shore to be on campus to appreciate the cultural benefits the new center will bring to Thayer students, as well as the entire South Shore. The community open house will include a 2 p.m. performance by Thayer students and a family concert performed by the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra.

With the opening of Thayer’s new Center for the Arts, the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra will enjoy a new role as Thayer Academy’s orchestra-in-residence. In this capacity, the Atlantic Symphony has announced plans to perform two major concerts at Thayer Academy during its upcoming 08-09 season, as well as to perform several educational concerts for Thayer students during the Academy’s school year.

Atlantic Symphony’s Music Director and Conductor Jin Kim says, “The new concert hall at Thayer is a great opportunity for the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra. Its size and acoustics are just right for the intimate feeling that we maintain while providing top quality musical performances. The location is perfect for our audience, which stretches across the South Shore and beyond. And we are looking forward to developing our educational programming for both the Thayer students and the broader community.”

Thayer’s Art Program Quick Facts: Thayer art teachers are all working artists themselves. There are 12 art faculty members. 19 different art courses are offered, spanning the visual and performing arts. The arts program is part of the daily curriculum. There are over two dozen art electives (including individual music lessons) that students can take during their free periods or after school. Each year, more than 200 Upper School students enroll in a wide array of instrumental and vocal course offering. 90 percent of our students participate in the arts program.

There are: seven jazz ensemble groups, four choruses, three stage productions in both the Middle and Upper Schools each year, including plays and musicals and two choir and two instrumental performances per year.