Albert F. Ford Music

12/18/2024

Here’s a quick clip of the FMS Chorus singing some at AES today. It’s one of the students’ favorite performances of the year - singing for former teachers and younger siblings brings joy to everyone in the room! Happy Holidays from all of us to all of you!

12/18/2024

Sugar plum fairies are dancing in celebration 🎶 🎻 🩰 🎶

Tchaikovsky's iconic ballet 'The Nutcracker' graced the world stage for the first time 132 years ago. ❤️🎄

12/18/2024

Wednesday night at the Acushnet Public Library, check out some holiday jazz. Real music! Live and in person!

12/16/2024

FMS musicians are enjoying a wonderful concert by Fairhaven High School!

12/16/2024

12/16/2024

Sing an “Ode to Joy” to the birthday boy!

The great Romantic composer Ludwig van Beethoven was born on this day 254 years ago. Happy birthday, Beethoven. ❤️

12/14/2024

We had a great turnout at Toys for Tots this morning. Thanks to all our young musicians for spreading cheer and to all who donated toys!

12/14/2024

Check out our Acushnet alumni in the FHS winter concert!

‘Tis the season for holiday concerts! Join us in celebrating the holidays with these joyful performances:

Elizabeth Hastings Middle School: Chorus and Strings, December 12, 6:30PM

East Fairhaven Elementary School: December 17, 9:30AM and 1:00pm

Fairhaven High School: Concert Choir and Symphony Orchestra, December 17, 7:00pm, $5 admission

Wood Elementary School: December 19th, 9:30am and 1:00pm

12/09/2024

12/06/2024

Making music is good for the brain. At any age.

Few adults play musical instruments, and even fewer do so in a group, Caroline Mimbs Nyce writes. What health benefits might they be giving up? https://theatln.tc/oglkQfzJ

“Kids receive plenty of music education, but as people get older, they fall out of practice. Many stop picking up their instrument,” Nyce writes. “This is unfortunate, in part because plenty of research shows that adults could benefit from playing music.”

Playing music helps build larger brain networks and new pathways. “Musicians tend to have better attention than nonmusicians,” Nyce continues. “Banging on a drum or tooting a horn can also relieve stress, reduce burnout, and help with anxiety and depression. For older people specifically, research has shown potential cognitive benefits along with a possible decrease in dementia risk.”

Adults may be skipping out in part because music education is associated with childhood and coursework. And after people grow out of music education in their childhood, they tend to think that music is a special talent, Nyce writes, not something that just anybody can learn.

“Of course, people are busy; they simply may not have the luxury of sitting down to study Bach once a week, much less the money to pay for an instrument or private lessons,” Nyce writes.

Playing music in groups has additional benefits, such as allowing adults to feel more trusting of and connected to one another, and to the world in general. But while it’s easy to go to a park or gym and pull together a game of pickup basketball, “piecing together people at the same skill level to play a concerto or even just jam in a garage is another matter.”

Nyce herself recently began to play the recorder. “I plan to keep learning,” she writes, “not because it strengthens my neuropathways per se (though I certainly don’t mind that), but because making music, even when it’s silly—perhaps especially when it’s silly—is just a whole lot of fun.” https://theatln.tc/oglkQfzJ

📸: Photo Media / ClassicStock / Getty

12/02/2024

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loudly for all to hear!

11/30/2024

Join the FMS Chorus at the fire station tomorrow, Sunday December 1st, for the annual holiday display lighting and sing-along! Festivities start at 6pm

11/28/2024

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving to all our young musicians and our musical families!

10/11/2024

Stay healthy, everyone!