Classical Gassing

What makes a great musical performance feel effortless? In this lively episode of Classical Gassing, Paul Surapine and longtime Claflin Hill supporter Peter Vangness talk about the enormous preparation behind seemingly effortless performances, the next generation of musicians, the friendships created through music, and the moments when a musician simply takes flight. From Mozart and Beethoven to a spontaneous performance of “Amazing Grace,” this is a conversation about why great music isn't just heard—it’s experienced.

More Than Music: Building a Community That Lasts

For the first time in Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra history, we reached—and surpassed—our annual goal of raising $150,000 from private donors.

But this episode isn't really about fundraising.

It's about perseverance.

It's about believing in something worth building.

Claflin Hill's Director of Development, Bernadette Stockwell, sits down with Claflin Hill founder and Executive & Artistic Director Paul Surapine to reflect on the historic achievement, the people who made it possible, and why community support means so much more than dollars. Along the way, Paul shares stories about small-town America, preserving our cultural heritage, the power of live music, and why every Claflin Hill concert is designed to tell a story—not simply present one.

You'll also hear about:

• The future of the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra
• The return of the Claflin Hill Youth Symphonies
• Family Night at the Bandstand and this summer's exciting concerts
• Why great communities are built by people who refuse to give up

Whether you're a longtime supporter or discovering Claflin Hill for the first time, this conversation is a reminder that extraordinary things happen when a community believes in a shared vision.

More information at www.claflinhill.org

Things happen because people raise their hands.

In this Father's Day episode of Classical Gassing, Paul Surapine shares a childhood memory that shaped the course of his life.

When a room full of parents wanted their children to have a Cub Scout pack—but nobody would volunteer to lead it—Paul's father quietly raised his hand.

That simple act of service became a lesson about leadership, responsibility, and community that continues to guide Paul's work with the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra nearly sixty years later.

This conversation explores why organizations succeed or fail, how communities preserve culture, and why every generation depends on people willing to step forward and make things happen.

Whether you're a parent, volunteer, donor, educator, community leader, or simply someone who cares about the future, this episode is a reminder that meaningful change often begins with one person saying:

"I'll do it."

As Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra approaches the end of its fiscal year, Bernadette Stockwell and Paul Surapine tackle a simple but profound question:

Why do people give?

From childhood lessons about generosity to the role arts organizations play in strengthening communities, this candid conversation explores what inspires philanthropy, why music matters, and how every gift—large or small—helps create a richer cultural life for everyone.

Along the way, Paul reflects on supporting music education, sustaining professional musicians, and the importance of investing in the programs that make our communities vibrant places to live.

Whether you're a longtime donor, a concertgoer, or simply someone who believes in giving back, this episode offers thoughtful insights into the power of generosity and community connection.

Claflin Hill Looks Back on Season 26 and Launches Family Night at the Bandstand Season 31In this episode of Classical Gassing, music director Paul Surapine reflects on Claflin Hill’s recently completed 26th symphony season and previews the upcoming 31st season of free summer park concerts, Family Night at the Bandstand, based at Milford Town Park while touring Blackstone, Medway, Whitinsville, Holliston, and Grafton. They discuss recent financial challenges, new programming such as a symphonic wind ensemble concert, season highlights including Dvořák’s Ninth and Sashiko Murata performing the Strauss Oboe Concerto, the Homage to Heritage concert honoring Judge Larkin, and expanded chamber music offerings. The conversation emphasizes growth signaled by a 60% season-ticket increase tied to outreach concerts, the break-even sponsorship model, a fundraising goal nearing $150,000, and the relaunch of the youth orchestra led by alumni, framed as vital music education that builds responsibility, socialization, and skills amid school cutbacks and screen culture; the summer series begins July 7 with the Fantasy Big Band.00:00 Season Wrap And Reset01:52 Challenges And Next 2503:25 New Programming Highlights04:48 Youth Orchestra Legacy07:30 Summer Bandstand Preview09:59 Outreach Growth Strategy12:05 Culture As A Business14:32 Fundraising Goals And Solvency17:05 Why Music Education Matters19:35 Summer Kickoff And Farewell

Bernadette Stockwell sits down with Anna Damigella—wind ensemble director, program revival co-founder, and band director at Melican Middle School—and Zach Surapine, strings director for the Youth Symphony revival and Paul’s son, to discuss the relaunch of the Claflin Hill Youth Symphonies after the pandemic brought in-person music-making to a halt.

Anna and Zach reflect on their own musical beginnings. Anna shares her journey from trumpet and piano student to degrees at Ithaca College and American Band College. Zach recalls starting on clarinet and violin, performing with the MetroWest Youth Symphony and Claflin Hill Youth Symphony, and finding his path as an educator.

Together, they explore how youth orchestra programs complement school music by offering a more focused, high-level ensemble experience—one that deepens musicianship while fostering mentorship, accountability, and lifelong friendships. Anna describes her experience at Claflin Hill as life-changing, highlighting the mentorship she received from Erich Ledebuhr, principal trumpet of the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra.

The conversation goes beyond music, examining the broader life skills cultivated in ensemble settings: belonging and community, sustained attention in rehearsal, preparation and responsibility, communication and collaboration, time management, and learning how to learn. At its core, they emphasize music not just as an activity, but as a lifelong source of meaning and connection.

As they look ahead to the first relaunch concert in fall 2026, their hope is simple: that students and audiences alike feel pride, joy, and a lasting love of music.

Learn more at www.claflinhill.org or contact the Youth Symphony at [email protected].

Episode Chapters

00:00 First Notes & a Fainting Clarinetist: Why Music Class Sticks With Us

00:41 Welcome to Classical Gassing + Youth Symphonies Relaunch

01:31 Meet Anna Damigella: From First Trumpet Sound to Music Educator

02:48 Meet Zach Surapine: Growing Up in Claflin Hill & Finding His Path

04:00 From COVID Shutdown to Full-Circle Comeback: Why Relaunch Now

06:04 Building a Lifelong Music Community (and Why It’s “Life-Changing”)

07:25 Mentorship & Musical Growth: Beyond the Comfort Zone

09:40 The Mission: High Standards, ZPD, and Supporting School Programs

12:03 Belonging & Friendship: The Social Power of Ensembles

It’s been an incredible season at the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra — and we’re not slowing down.

In this episode, Bernadette sits down with Founder & Artistic Director Paul Surapine to reflect on a year filled with bold programming, unforgettable performances, and thrilling audience response — from the powerful, all-wind ensemble concert (10 winds, 6 percussionists, and not a string in sight!) to a season-opening New World Symphony and a radiant Strauss Oboe Concerto.

Now, what’s next?

🎶 March 14 – “Homage to Heritage”
A fascinating orchestral program exploring composers honoring composers:

• Stravinsky’s Pulcinella Suite (a Baroque-inspired tribute)

• Tchaikovsky’s Mozart-inspired Suite

• Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances

Music that looks backward — and somehow feels entirely fresh.

🎵 Wind Serenade Finale – Chamber Series at Apple Tree Arts
A celebration of the serenade tradition featuring:

• Dvořák’s Serenade for Winds

• Mozart’s monumental Gran Partita

Paul shares beautiful insight into what a “serenade” truly means — from village musicians gathering at dusk to Mozart writing music for his friends to play together.

💬 Along the way, the conversation explores:

• Why bold programming matters in a 26th season

• How great music keeps evolving

• The joy of musicians reconnecting with repertoire they haven’t played since college

• And how Claflin Hill continues to grow as a cultural hub in the community

As Paul says: same ingredients — just a new presentation.

🎟️ Tickets and information: www.claflinhill.org

There’s more to come.

What does it take to grow an orchestra—not just musically, but as a living, breathing part of a community?

In this New Year episode of Classical Gassing, Bernadette Stockwell sits down with Paul Surapine, founder and executive & artistic director of the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra, for a wide-ranging conversation about growth, risk, regeneration, and why live performance still matters more than ever.

Using the metaphor of an empty lot turned into a thriving garden, Paul reflects on Claflin Hill’s 25-year journey—from its earliest days to a season that many audience members are calling “the best yet.” Together, they explore the difference between rehearsal and performance, the electricity of a live audience, and why music created “warts and all” in the moment is irreplaceable.

The conversation also looks ahead:

• record-breaking season ticket growth
• new and younger audiences finding Claflin Hill
• regeneration among volunteers, donors, and musicians
• the return of the Youth Orchestra
• and an exciting lineup of upcoming chamber and symphony concerts

It’s an honest, hopeful look at what it means to build something that lasts—and how a community helps it bloom.

🌍 Listener love note: In our inaugural podcast season, Classical Gassing reached listeners in five different countries, and we’re grateful for a growing group of Top Fans who continue to share, comment, and support the podcast.

Learn more about the orchestra and upcoming performances at www.claflinhill.org.

How one audience member found Claflin Hill — and why the orchestra keeps pulling him back, season after season.

A clarinet birthday gift. A chance connection. A first concert that changed everything.
This week on Classical Gassing, CHSO Music Director Paul Surapine sits down with audience member Peter Vangsness, who shares how he discovered Claflin Hill — and why he now attends nearly every concert.

From Symphony Hall to Tanglewood, Peter has heard orchestras across New England, and here he reflects on what makes CHSO special: its intimacy, its sound, its musicians, and its sense of community.

A touching, funny, and heartfelt conversation for anyone who’s ever been moved by live music — or wondered how CHSO became one of the region’s best-kept cultural treasures.

In this heartwarming episode of Classical Gassing, Paul Surapine sits down with longtime audience member Peter Vangsness, whose path to Claflin Hill began with an unexpected story involving a clarinet, a birthday gift, and a search for a teacher.

Peter shares how he and his wife discovered the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra, what keeps them returning concert after concert, and why Milford Town Hall’s acoustics rival some of the finest venues in New England. From stories of Symphony Hall, Tanglewood, and Hartford, to reflections on what makes live music meaningful, this episode is a love letter to community, artistry, and the transformative power of sound.

Paul and Peter explore:

• 🎼 Why a town hall can sound as magnificent as Boston’s Symphony Hall

• 🎻 The overlooked brilliance of CHSO’s string section

• 🎺 What makes music “moving” vs. “not moving”

• 🎹 The joy of discovering an orchestra “hidden in plain sight”

• 🎵 How Claflin Hill balances classical masterpieces with new music

• 🤝 Why community connection is as essential as the performance itself

• 🎶 Why imperfection, risk-taking, and musical “edge” can make concerts unforgettable

It’s a rich conversation full of stories, nostalgia, and genuine admiration — from one music lover to the orchestra that won his heart.

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A luminous conversation with soprano Sierra Lary on storytelling, seasons of the soul, and the music that brings us home.

This week on Classical Gassing, we look forward—not back—with soprano Sierra Lary, whose radiant performance in last season’s Carmina Burana left our audience and musicians spellbound. In this intimate conversation, Sierra joins Paul and Bernadette to talk about her upcoming chamber program, her deep-rooted philosophy of singing, and the emotional journey behind her artistry.

Sierra shares how growing up with an opera-singing father shaped her musical voice, how COVID forced a necessary reset, and how teaching unexpectedly rekindled her passion. She reflects on storytelling as catharsis, the importance of emotional contrast in music, and the joy of guiding audiences through a full arc—from sorrow to radiance.

Together they explore the heart of her new program, built around Schubert’s Shepherd on the Rock: a musical cycle of seasons, renewal, and human experience. From Andrew Lloyd Webber to French chanson to German Lied, Sierra’s vision blurs genres and welcomes listeners of every background into the story.

🎟️ Catch Sierra live:
Saturday, November 22 at 7:30 PM
Apple Tree Arts – Great Hall