However for the Wiscasset Music program, it is anything but bleak.A lot is happening!

If you haven't heard the pep band at the home basketball games, you should go. They provide a lot of really energetic and exciting music, and Laura Whitney's singing of the Star Spangled Banner is truly inspiring.

The Middle and High School Bands and Choruses are busy preparing for their performance in the All-Schools Concert on March 12. This sounds like a long way off, but it is only five school weeks away, taking in consideration the February vacation, extended holiday weekends and workshop days. This is the biggest concert of the year that involves all the musical performing groups in our schools.

As well as preparing for the concert, those outstanding musicians in the middle and high schools who were selected for the District III Honors Bands and Choruses are working on their music for the festival as well.

The Senior High Honors Festival will take place on January 31 and February 1 at Hall-Dale High School and involves many of the high school musicians.

The Sixth Grade Honors Festival will be held on Wednesday, February 5 at Richmond High School. Wiscasset Primary School

The first week back to school after the holidays has been great at WPS!

We started off the week by hearing the winners of the B-Sharp Awards from December that were broadcast during the morning announcements.

Students again worked very hard in December and consequently we had seven classes all receive "Double B' Sharp Awards!" These are only given if a class receives "whole notes" during every class period of the month.

The classes who received the awards were: Mrs. Johnson's kindergarten; Miss Lord's second grade; Mrs. Sturgeon's second grade; Mrs. Thompson's third grade; Mrs. Morissette's fourth grade; Mrs. Wyman's fourth grade and Mrs. Harris' fifth grade Kristen Thomas In "Phantom"

Our very own Kristen Thomas, choral director at the high school and middle school, played the lead female role of Christine in the musical "Phantom," a community theater production held at the Great Falls School in Auburn last weekend.By the time you read this, the production will be over, but those who have seen and heard it say that she was exceptional, her angelic voice and her stage presence were Broadway quality. Congratulations Kristen! Upcoming Events

January 31 and February 1 - District III Senior High Honors Festival

February 4 - Beginner Banquet 6:15 p.m. Supper; 7 p.m. Concert

February 5 - District III Sixth Grade Honors Festival