On Friday, Nov. 1, Hildreth Elementary School (HES) will hold a concert to benefit the Barbara Ann Gould Scholarship Fund. The event, featuring four local bands, a silent auction, and refreshments, will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the HES cafetorium. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and will be sold at the door to the first 150 people; they may also be purchased the morning of the event, from 8 to 10 a.m. in the HES guidance office.
The scholarship was established last spring in honor of Barbara Ann Gould, a beloved and inspiring teacher who died in April. “B.A.,” as she was known to family and friends, gave hundreds of Harvard kindergartners a warm and positive introduction to their educational journey. This will be the second year the scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior pursuing a career in teaching or in another field working with children.
HES counselor and member of the scholarship committee Christine Reale, point person for the event, says the benefit is a “giant effort by everyone at HES” and all proceeds will go directly to the scholarship fund. Musicians are donating their time, teachers are providing refreshments, and art teachers Cindy Harris and Sharon Correnty are donating art pieces for the auction, as is Rachel Manley, director of Center on the Common.
The four bands will provide a lively variety of music. Rusty Nails comprises six seasoned veterans of the local music scene. They play country rock, bluegrass, blues, rock and roll—“anything that makes you smile.” The Rafters are husband and wife singer/songwriters Dave and Miki Fitzgibbons, whose music “blends strong melodies and harmony across human themes.” Returning to HES after a formal debut two years ago at their fifth-grade talent show are the Backseat Drivers, Alex Magan, Alicia Bakis, and Lance Jarosz. Fairly new to the local music scene is Sweet Connections, an all-female band playing a mix of folk, rock, Americana, and original music.
