Since 2005: More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.
Wellesley High School Rock Band recently performed a standing-room only show at the WHS Little Theatre, with numbers from Third Eye Blind, the Strokes, Radiohead, the Doors, and more. The concert featured a variety of voices, plus some serious string and percussion instruments.
Missed the show live? Wellesley Media recorded it.
Also, look for some of the students performing at the Lockheart restaurant in Wellesley Square on Feb. 27.
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The Wellesley Symphony Orchestra (WSO) invites you to a powerful and moving afternoon of music, “We the People,” on Sunday, February 8, at 2pm, at Wellesley High School, 50 Rice Street.
This concert is a vibrant journey through the American spirit and the fight for human dignity, featuring iconic works and a stunning international masterpiece.
The performance kicks off with the bold, resonant brass and percussion of Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man”—a stirring tribute to everyday heroism.
Next, prepare to be captivated by “Sinfonía India,” by the acclaimed Mexican composer Carlos Chávez (1899-1978). This groundbreaking work is Chávez’s most famous composition, an exhilarating tapestry woven from authentic Mexican folk melodies and scored dramatically for a rich array of instruments, including indigenous percussion.
The centerpiece of the first half is Aaron Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait,” a profound musical homage to one of America’s most revered figures. The WSO is deeply honored to feature Dr. David Podell, President of MassBay Community College, as the esteemed narrator. Experience the timeless wisdom of Abraham Lincoln through excerpts primarily drawn from his Gettysburg Address—words that resonate with urgent relevance even today.
Following a brief intermission, the orchestra will command the stage with one of the most revolutionary and beloved works in the repertoire: Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major, “Eroica” (Heroic).
Initially dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte, a figure Beethoven admired as a champion of the people, the composer famously and furiously tore up the title page upon learning that Napoleon had declared himself Emperor. The revised dedication, simply “to the memory of a great man,” transforms the symphony into a sweeping, emotionally charged testament to the universal ideal of heroism and the triumph of the human spirit over tyranny.
The music doesn’t end when the final note fades! All audience members are warmly invited to a reception immediately following the concert, in the cafeteria, located directly outside the auditorium, for refreshments and conversation.
The WSO believes great music should be accessible to everyone. Tickets for “We the People” are offered on a Pay-What-You-Can basis. Secure your spot online at www.wellesleysymphony.org or purchase them conveniently at the door.
The Wellesley Symphony Orchestra (WSO) has announced that Dr. David Podell, President of Massachusetts Bay Community College, will narrate the orchestra’s upcoming performance of Aaron Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait” on Sunday, February 8, 2pm, at Wellesley High School, 50 Rice St.
David Podell, Ph.D. joined MassBay in 2016 as its sixth president. A long-time academic leader and scholar, Dr. Podell’s passions have focused on expanding higher education access and providing high-quality educational opportunities to help students advance their academic goals, advance their careers, and enrich their lives.
“We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Podell to the stage,” said Carol Davidson, President of WSO. “David Podell is a strong supporter of the Wellesley Symphony. We could not ask for a better partner towards our mission of promoting and introducing classical music of diverse composers to a broad audience throughout MetroWest and beyond.”
“Lincoln Portrait”, composed in 1942, combines Copland’s stirring orchestral music with excerpts from Abraham Lincoln’s speeches and writings. The work has become a celebrated piece of Americana that honors Lincoln’s legacy of democracy and freedom. Dr. Podell adds, “I am moved by the beauty of Copland’s music and the power of Lincoln’s words. To me, Lincoln Portrait couldn’t be more timely.”
In addition to Lincoln Portrait, the orchestra will perform Sinfonia India by Carlos Chavez and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 – Eroica.
MassBay serves approximately 6,000 students from the greater Boston and the Metrowest region on campuses in Wellesley Hills, Framingham, and Ashland. Through transformative education, MassBay contributes to the growing regional economy and cultivates the potential of their students, empowering them to thrive in our local and global communities
Now in its 77 th season, the Wellesley Symphony is the orchestra-in-residence at MassBay, directed by Mark Latham. The Symphony presents six concerts from October through May and performs at MassBay’s Spring Commencement.
The Wellesley Choral Society will present its second concert of the 2025-2026 season on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 7:00pm at the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church, 207 Washington St. The theme of the concert is “Around the World.” All the music will have a geographic location in the title or lyrics.
The music performed will be a mix of movie, Broadway, light classical, and popular songs. Chorus members will be highlighted as soloists and in small ensembles. The Wellesley Choral Society is led by Music Director Edward Whalen and will be accompanied on piano by Hisako Hiratsuka.
The event is in the style of a casual pop/cabaret performance. The audience is seated at tables and there will be complimentary food and drink, a silent auction, and a sing-along.
The Wellesley Hills Congregational Church is accessible and there is ample free parking in the church lot and on the street. Tickets may be purchased at the door; general admission is $20, seniors and students $15, ages 12 and under are free. A limited number of free tickets for Wellesley seniors are available at the Wellesley Council on Aging (COA). Seniors may call the Wellesley COA to express interest at (781) 235-3961. Items acquired in the silent auction can be paid for in cash, by check, or credit card.
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An outfit called New World Opera Music & Dance School has been operating for a couple of years at 307 Washington St. (aka, the Rice House) adjacent to UU Wellesley Hills, but many in town might not know this.
The school will become more visible this year, however, as it installs an exterior sign (the Design Review Board OK’d it this week) and updates its web presence to include more info about the school.
Co-founder Bingchuan Wan and his wife Jingyi Huang, both graduates of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music in China and the Longy School of Music of Bard College in Cambridge, are behind New World Opera. They used to run their school out of their home, but that got crowded and loud, so they expanded into the Wellesley location, Wan says.
New World Opera has about 200 students and has become popular within the local Chinese community for classes in everything from opera and dance to piano and violin, Wan says.
The school will celebrate its 5th anniversary with a public performance at Wellesley High School on March 7 at 7pm.
Family Medicine physician Dr. M. David Dick has launched WellSpace Family Concierge Medicine at 70 Walnut Street. The membership-based practice offers same-day/next-day appointments, unrushed visits, and direct physician availability.
According to the latest research, the average wait to see a family medicine physician in Boston has climbed to 69 days, one of the longest in the country, while local emergency departments often report waits of four hours or more.
“The concierge model allows me to be available to my patients whenever they need me,” said Dr. Dick. “And it means I can go well beyond treating urgent issues to serve as a true partner in health. I have time to listen, uncover and address root causes of illness, emphasize prevention and a whole-person approach. That simply isn’t possible within the constraints of a typical 15-minute primary care visit.”
Nothing warms up a winter day like the release of a summer concert line-up: The annual Levitate Music & Arts Festival in Marshfield, Mass., has revealed its bill.
Topping the two-day line-up are singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette of Jagged Little Pill fame and Caamp, a banjo-strong folk band from Ohio.
Also on the roster are Australia’s Royel Otis (they can rock), reggae star Ziggy Marley, New Orleans legend Trombone Shorty (first saw him opening for a tech conference down south), Brooklyn’s Sammy Rae and the Friends (my goddaughter swears by them), and Bebe Stockwell, who boasts Boston roots and performed last year at Boston Calling in front of many family and friends.
The Levitate festival takes place at the Marshfield Fairgrounds, about 45 minutes from Wellesley by car.
We’ve covered the Levitate Music & Arts Festival in recent years , including last year:
Among the things that sets Levitate apart from other festivals is its blend of music with the arts, including a crunchy and expansive marketplace where you can get everything from hemp hats to braids. Nearly a dozen artists will get to make their presence felt with big murals or other pieces that they will work on during the event.
In addition to the national and international acts on multiple stages is the Levitate Foundation Songwriter’s Stage, which this past year was located in the center of the action. Four previously unsigned artists will be selected to perform and get funding to record an album. The Levitate Foundation is a big supporter of local arts opportunities.
Levitate attracts many families, and includes a Kids Zone with various activities. A plethora of food trucks and booths will keep attendees nourished at this 14th edition of Levitate.
While all this might sound exhausting, one nice thing about Levitate is that you can bring in a folding chair to take a load off and chill.
Interested in having Swellesley cover your music festival or concert? Reach out at theswellesleyreport@gmail.com
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SPONSORED CONTENT: The Wellesley Symphony Orchestra will present its annual Holiday Concert on Saturday, December 6, 2pm, at MassBay Community College, 50 Oakland St., Wellesley.
The program will include holiday favorites for Christmas and Hanukkah, featuring the Fireside Barbershop Quartet. For their third time with the WSO, they will sing two songs with the orchestra and two a cappella. The finale will be the traditional singalong—and, of course, there will be lots of sleigh bells ringing in some of the music!
After the concert, the orchestra invites everyone to a reception in the cafeteria, where there will be a special guest who is beloved by children of all ages.
Tickets are “pay-what-you-can”, available online at www.wellesleysymphony.org and at the door. Seating is general admission. There is plenty of free parking at MassBay, 50 Oakland Street, Wellesley.
Wellesley High School students on Dec. 4-6 will present “Legally Blonde: The Musical,” a high-energy show that promises lots of laughs. The musical is inspired by the 2001 hit film, which tells the story of Elle Woods, a bubbly student navigating law school at Harvard.
In the musical, Elle (played by Samantha Hirschey) eagerly hopes her boyfriend, Warner Huntington III (played by Oliver Zinggeler), will propose to her. When he decides she is too “blonde” for him and seeks someone more serious, Elle uses her intelligence and charm to prove that her personality is an asset, not a liability. Along the way, she meets several memorable characters: Paulette (Anay Ayala), a shy but lovable manicurist; Emmett Richmond (Jack White), a charming teaching assistant; and Vivienne Kensington (Callie Pillsbury), Warner’s polished new girlfriend.
This is the second Wellesley High School musical directed by Mr. Skylar Grossman, whose philosophy focuses on alternating between contemporary and classics. He believes the show is unique for students to perform because it uses an entertaining medium to confront misogyny and promote self-discovery. He also emphasizes the importance of teamwork, encouraging students to support and learn from each other during rehearsals. Ultimately, he wants the production to teach students about different styles of musical theater.
Legally Blonde is known for its upbeat and poppy soundtrack, featuring plenty of belting and exciting dance numbers. One standout, “Whipped into Shape,” is based on Brooke Wyndham’s (Lucy Gandler) workout tape. This sequence takes place in a prison, with the ensemble jumproping while singing. “While physically demanding, it will be incredibly exciting for the audience to watch!” students in the number say.
The musical also includes slow numbers, like “Serious,” sung by Warner and Elle, who humorously walk the audience through their dinner breakup. Musical director Brandon Santini works closely with the cast to convey the depth of these moments through guided practice and encouraging students to engage with the music independently. These songs provide contrast to the show’s high-energy numbers, allowing the audience to connect more deeply with the characters’ journeys.
Tech week for Legally Blonde runs from Nov. 24 through Dec. 3. During this time, the cast and crew have been spending up to eight hours a day refining choreography, music, and stagecraft. All the challenges of producing a show of this caliber culminate in four final performances. The production’s ultimate goal is to inspire audiences with its message: setbacks can be turned into advantages, and hard work and determination can lead to success. It also serves to showcase the talent and dedication of Wellesley High’s Drama Society.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the door via cash or check if any remain.
Performances:
