William Wolfgang Shaw Performing Arts Studio

Story of the Project:

For over a decade, the Carlisle Public Schools community has advocated for a dedicated space for its acclaimed instrumental band program. As former Superintendent Doyle noted in 2008, the existing arrangements were suboptimal. Since 2017, the Carlisle Education Foundation (CEF) has collaborated with the school to address this need, aiming to provide proper rehearsal space, practice rooms, and increased instrument storage.

The Challenge in 2018:

The band program lacked a dedicated space, rehearsing in the auditorium, which resulted in:

Lost practice time due to setup and cleanup.
Frequent rehearsal disruptions due to other activities (approximately 25% of rehearsals).
Limited auditorium availability for other performing arts, including the school chorus, the 7th-grade play, the drama club, the Recreation Department's musical theater program, and the Savoyard Light Opera.
Inadequate instrument storage, with overflow obstructing the auditorium entrance.

The Band's Success:

Over 150 students in grades 4-8 participate in the instrumental band program. Key indicators of the program's strength include:

Nearly 100% of 4th graders participate, with 80% continuing in 5th grade.
Carlisle students, though representing less than a quarter of the Concord-Carlisle High School (CCHS) student body, consistently comprise 50% of the CCHS band, a top-ranked band in the state.
Carlisle student musicians achieve high results in statewide competitions. For example, at the 2018 MICCA Solo and Ensemble Festival, 8 out of 18 performances earned gold medals, 6 earned silver, and 4 earned bronze.
In 2017-2018, 15 out of 40 CCHS students accepted into the MMEA Eastern District Festival were from Carlisle.

The Solution: The "Mistake Room"

An approximately 1400 sq ft space with double-story height, created unexpectedly during the construction of the Corey Building, offered a solution. This space, then used for storage, was ideal for conversion due to:

Suitable room volume and acoustics for band rehearsals.
Proximity to other performing arts spaces (the elementary music room and the auditorium).

Honoring the memory of William Wolfgang Shaw

Our community mourns the loss of William Wolfgang Shaw, remembered as a true friend and gentle spirit. This Performing Arts Studio is dedicated to his loving memory.