Sarah Grina, who was hired as the high school’s new choral director after the retirement of Deborah Smith, is “thrilled to be joining the esteemed Concord-Carlisle community.”
A graduate of Berklee College of Music and Gordon College, Grina is moving to CCHS after nine years at Pollard Middle School in Needham, where her ensembles routinely earned gold medals at the MICCA Choral Festival and performed at Boston Symphony Hall, Worcester’s Mechanics Hall, and other venues across the Northeast. She also has ample experience as part of both the state and national choral associations, having served in several leadership roles including Concert Coordinator for the 2020 Massachusetts All-State Festival.
In addition to building on established choral programs and opportunities, Grina will also be serving as the vocal coach for CC Theatre’s spring musicals.
Chorus students are already expressing their excitement at Grina’s fresh perspective and vivacious personality. There has been plenty of buzz about Ms. Grina’s humor, confidence, and musical expertise. It is not an easy feat to pick up an already-strong ensemble led by Ms. Smith for almost two decades, but students are already witnessing Grina’s eagerness to help the program continue to thrive.
In fact, after just one demo lesson and the first few classes of the school year, several students who had previously wavered as to whether they should continue with chorus — their hesitation a product of both scheduling conflicts and Ms. Smith’s retirement — have decided to return. The Concord-Carlisle community is so excited to welcome Ms. Grina!
