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An assorted mix of Christmas standards, along with a couple of originals, it has a production value comparable to any major studio release. And the talent of these artists, some of whom are still in middle school, could astound even the most discriminating listener.
"The thing that's interesting is, a lot of it is kids who are in high school now, or graduated within the last couple of years," said Mark Kaufman, a member of the Shepaug Friends of Music and a producer of the album. "If you use the kids right, and get some professionals to help them, they will really come through for you."
Most tracks were recorded in Mr. Kaufman's own Roxbury home studio. Several of the songs that required choir ensembles, however, were performed either at the high school, the Roxbury Congregational Church or the Salem Covenant Church in Washington.
At certain points, some more seasoned instrumentalists, vocalists, and even the Salem Covenant Church choir, assist their younger counterparts, but the heart of the album is these gifted young adults. And assistance, be it artistically or financially, is crucial for any public music program. The Shepaug Friends of Music know it, which is why this CD was created-to raise funds for the school music department.
Mr. Kaufman founded the Shepaug Friends of Music seven years ago as a means to supplement the music program during budgetary cutbacks. Through various fund-raising events over the years, the organization has helped supply instruments, seminars and even scholarships for the students.
Judging by the caliber of these budding musicians, there is a lot of talent to be nurtured in the Region 12 school district.
The album opens with a tender rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," with vocalist Jenna Bollard, a former Shepaug Valley student and current enrollee at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, laying down a soothing vocal over the soft instrumentals of guitarist Jay Marcovitz and keyboardist Sandy Kleisner.
The third track on the album is a hypnotic solo of "Greensleeves" by guitarist Eric Pratt. Every note is perfectly articulated, but the composition still has the same intended winter twilight effect.
"The first two tracks are really great vocal performances," said current Shepaug Friends of Music president Kirk Dulaney. "So for the third track we said, 'Let's get a great instrumental in there for balance.'"
Incidentally, track two is an almost operatic version of "I Wonder as I Wander." Mr. Dulaney, himself a trumpet player, has a role on the 11th track, "Joy to the World."
Though all holiday songs, the mixture is surprisingly eclectic in its order and approach. The Salem Covenant Choir's ever-so-holy "Silent Night" comes right before a playful rendition of "Santa Baby," which features recent grad Arielle Johnson-Leahy on vocals.
"How many holiday albums are there, with Ray Charles or the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, that after you put them on, they all sound the same eventually?" asked Mr. Dulaney. "But with this, it's all different."
Mr. Dulaney laments the state of arts funding in schools today. Having played the trumpet since he was 11, he recalls a time when budget cuts in music programs were unheard of. But with the recession and general call against higher taxes, boards of education everywhere fight to keep budgets flat, as was the case this year with Shepaug Valley's parent entity, the Region 12 school district. These concerns boost the need for such nonprofits.
The Shepaug Friends of Music has been a help to Aaron Kaufman, the son of Mr. Kaufman, who graduated from the region in 2005. An active guitarist, through the organization, he received a college scholarship to a university in Minnesota.
Though it wasn't his major, the younger Mr. Kaufman maintained an active role in helping his college music department grow, and on his own, has recorded two albums of material. One of his songs, "The First Snow," which he recorded with Ms. Bollard, is now featured on "Winter's Inspiration."
The Shepaug Friends of Music will press a thousand copies of the release, and plans to sell it for $15 through various stores in the region, including the Bridgewater Village Store, the Roxbury Market and Maple Bank Farm in Roxbury and at Marty's Café in Washington Depot.
Marty's Café in Washington Depot is hosting an all-day release party on Saturday, Nov. 14, which will even feature performances from some of the young musicians.
Region 12 serves students from Bridgewater, Roxbury and Washington.
