LYNNFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL’S Pioneer Singers and Music Director Stephen Bloom proudly display the citations they received from the House of Representatives, State Senate and Gov. Maura Healey during a reception after the 25th Anniversary Concert on Nov. 4. (Dan Tomasello Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — A great deal has changed in Lynnfield and around the world in the past 25 years, but one thing that hasn’t changed in the last quarter-century is Lynnfield Middle School’s Pioneer Singers making music and making people smile.
The Pioneer Singers, the prestigious choral group at LMS, gave a powerful performance during a 25th Anniversary Concert in the auditorium on Saturday, Nov. 4. The concert featured 75 attendees that included students, families and Pioneer Singers alumni.
The Pioneer Singers currently consists of Hayden Bayer, Alexandra D’Onofrio, Evyenia Fanikos, Anna Gallagher, Anna Gentile, Vivian Gooden, Lucy Hansen, Hannah Kaufman, Siena Keegan, Belle Maccini, Patrick Malone, Mia Martins, Colin Morrison, Dylan Moscoffian, Vivienne Nguyen, Urwah Qazafi, Aidan Rystrom, Lillian Spillane, Riley Valiton and Avery Weiss.
Before the concert began, LMS Music Director Stephen Bloom gave a brief history lesson about the Pioneer Singers.
“Twenty-five years ago on Nov. 4, 1998, a school bus with Lynnfield students pulled out of the old middle school parking lot bound for the Boston Public Library,” said Bloom. “Mayor Tom Menino and several Harvard University dignitaries were in attendance. A little ragtag group of Lynnfield Middle School students, which would become known as the Pioneer Singers, made their way into the Boston Public Library and their lives were changed forever.”
Bloom thanked Pioneer Singers’ alumni for attending the 25th Anniversary Concert.
“Welcome back. It’s lovely to have you here,’” said Bloom. “I want to thank you because the group that you see before you was built on your shoulders and the reputation that you created. We thank you for your dedication, your loyalty to the group and your hard work.”
After the Pioneer Singers performed a rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner,” the choral group played “A Joyful Song” by Mary Lynn Lightfoot.
The Pioneer Singers also performed three spirituals: “Elijah Rock,” “Listen to the Lambs” and “This Little Light of Mine.” The choral group’s performance of “Listen to the Lambs” included special guest soloist Jessica Chann, a former member of the Pioneer Singers who is now attending the Berklee College of Music. The Pioneer Singers’ performance of “This Little Light of Mine” included solos from current members Evyenia Fanikos, Avery Weiss and Siena Keegan.
Bloom and the Pioneer Singers unveiled the world premier of a new commissioned song called “There Will Be Stars,” which was written by the LMS music director’s friend and former Ithaca College jazz ensemble singing partner Andy Beck. Bloom noted that Beck is the director of choral publications for Alfred Music.
“World premier and middle school can seldom be found together in the same sentence,” said Bloom. “But not here because we have given a number of world premier compositions in this room courtesy of the Pioneer Singers. It has been my goal that we continue to create new works. This is the first time this song has ever been performed and it will not be the last.”
The Lynnfield Cultural Council financed the cost of the new song.
The concert also included video clips from former Pioneer Singers in a segment called “Voices From Our Past.”
“I was always impressed by your dedication, creativity and your love of music,” said Morgan Snover.
Ali O’Hare agreed.
“Twenty-five years is an amazing milestone to hit,” said O’Hare.
“Congratulations on 25 years,” added Nelia Miller.
Before Assistant Town Administrator Bob Curtin read a proclamation from the Select Board declaring Nov. 4 as Lynnfield Middle School Pioneer Singers 25th Anniversary Day in town, he commended the choral group for an impressive performance.
“The Pioneer Singers have had many performances and has received many honors,” said Curtin. “This was a very impressive performance. Congratulations to all of you. Music education and performance not only enriches our culture and our community, but it also brings joy to both the performers and their audience.”
After Curtin finished reading the proclamation, the Pioneer Singers performed a variation of “(Charlie on the) M.T.A.” by Jacqueline Steiner and Bess Lomax Hawes. The song featured solos by Patrick Malone, Aidan Rystrom, Lillian Spillane and Mia Martins. Bloom reworked the song after Pioneer Singers’ pianist Danny Padgett was interviewed about the MBTA’s never-ending challenges on “WHDH Channel 7 News” in 2018.
“When we were on our way to our annual gig at King’s Chapel, Danny was stopped by ‘Channel 7 News’ to talk about the current conditions on the MBTA,” said Bloom. “When the clip aired that night, it listed his name as ‘Danny Padgett: MBTA expert.’ Who knew? This our take on a classic Boston song.”
The Pioneer Singers concluded the concert by performing “After This Night,” which Bloom noted was included in the choral group’s first set list at the Boston Public Library 25 years ago. Several alumni joined the Pioneer Singers on stage.
“Doing anything for 25 years is an interesting challenge,” said Bloom. “Before the era of iPhones, Facebook, ‘Star Wars’ prequels and ‘Cowboy Up,’ we were doing this. It’s thrilling to see it still going on. You have been a wonderful audience, and I want to thank you for coming to our retrospective.”
Pioneer Singers 25th Anniversary Concert Committee member Julia Ellison-Palmedo presented flowers and a gift to Bloom to thank him for his dedication to LMS music students, especially the Pioneer Singers.
“We want to offer our thoughts, congratulations and say thank you for 25 years of transforming the lives of young men and women,” said Ellison-Palmedo. “You have made such a wonderful impact on this community.”
After the concert concluded, Bloom, the Pioneer Singers and the concert’s attendees enjoyed refreshments, birthday cake and dessert in the LMS cafeteria.
Bloom said he was impressed with the Pioneer Singers’ performance during the 25th Anniversary Concert.
“It was great,” said Bloom during an interview with the Villager. “Words can’t even describe it. The kids did a great job. They are a young group who had to learn a lot of music that was unfamiliar to them in a hurry, but they know how to do that because they are talented.”