Manchester, NH — [May 27th, 2026] Manchester Community Music School is proud to present the annual New Hampshire Youth Ensembles (NHYE) Concert Weekend, a vibrant celebration of student artistry, collaboration, and musical excellence featuring young performers from the region. Taking place June 5–6, the concert series will showcase choir, flute, percussion, rock, concert band, and orchestral ensembles led by MCMS’s distinguished faculty artists and conductors. With one of the most comprehensive youth ensemble offerings in New England, Manchester Community Music School proudly operates the largest academic ensemble program north of Boston. MCMS provides students of all ages and skill levels with meaningful opportunities to perform, collaborate, and grow as musicians. These ensembles serve as a cornerstone of the school’s mission to build community through music while preparing young artists for lifelong engagement in the arts.

The weekend opens with the NHYE Choirs Concert on Friday, June 5 at 6:30 PM in the Sam and May Gruber Recital Hall. Audiences will experience an evening of choral and chamber ensemble music featuring the Flute Choir conducted by Aubrie Dionne, an acclaimed flutist and longtime MCMS faculty member known throughout New England for her expressive performances and dedication to arts education. The concert will also feature the Queen City Voices Choir and Queen City Concert Choir under the direction of James Slipp, a versatile vocalist, pianist, and educator who leads several of MCMS’s celebrated vocal ensembles and youth leadership initiatives.

On Saturday, June 6 at 4:00 PM, the NHYE Bands Concert takes center stage on the MCMS Main Stage with an exciting showcase of rhythm, energy, and contemporary repertoire. The Percussion Ensemble will be led by Adam Cahalane, Principal Percussionist for the NH Philharmonic &  Percussion Ensembles Coordinator at MCMS. The Rock, Pop, and Blues Ensemble will perform under the direction of Ryan Striker, a multi-instrumentalist and music theory educator who brings creativity and versatility to contemporary ensemble performance. The evening concludes with the MCMS Concert Band conducted by Andrew Cropper, a respected brass educator and conductor who leads the ensemble with a focus on musicianship, collaboration, and community performance.

The weekend continues with the NHYE Strings Concert on Saturday, June 6 at 6:30 PM on the MCMS Main Stage, highlighting the depth and progression of MCMS’s string education programs. Young musicians in Suzuki Book 1 and the String Prep Orchestra will perform under the direction of Deborah Markow, a dedicated violin and Suzuki instructor known for nurturing foundational musicianship and confidence in young string players. The Concert Orchestra will be conducted by Paul Pinard, an experienced performer and educator whose leadership emphasizes ensemble artistry and expressive playing. The weekend culminates with a performance by the Dino Anagnost Youth Symphony Orchestra of New Hampshire conducted by Emily Sharples, an accomplished oboist, English horn player, and conductor. The symphony orchestra represents some of the region’s most dedicated young musicians and delivers challenging orchestral repertoire in a fully collaborative environment.

“These concerts celebrate more than musical achievement,” said Polly Towner, Executive Director of MCMS. “They reflect the confidence, teamwork, discipline, and creativity our students build through ensemble music-making. We are thrilled to share their hard work with the community and celebrate the incredible mentorship of our faculty conductors.”

The MCMS New Hampshire Youth Ensembles program provides students with high-quality ensemble training and performance opportunities in a supportive and inspiring environment. Through rehearsals and performances, students build technical skills, confidence, leadership, and lifelong friendships while experiencing the joy of collaborative music-making.

All concerts are open to the public, and community members, families, and music lovers of all ages are encouraged to attend and support these talented young performers.

Schedule:

• Flute Choir conducted by Aubrie Dionne
• Queen City Voices Choir conducted by James Slipp
• Queen City Concert Choir conducted by James Slipp

• Percussion Ensemble conducted by Adam Cahalane
• Rock, Pop, and Blues Ensemble conducted by Ryan Striker
• MCMS Concert Band conducted by Andrew Cropper
   

• Suzuki Book 1 conducted by Debbie Markow
• String Prep Orchestra conducted by Debbie Markow
• Concert Orchestra conducted by Paul Pinard
• Dino Anagnost Youth Symphony Orchestra of New Hampshire conducted by Emily Sharples

For more information about our ensembles email ensembles@mcmusicschool.org