Music Department

 

Music Department
Professional Biographies

 

Allen C. Graffam, Department Head, Band Director

Allen Graffam was born into a musical family in Portland, Maine. His grandfather, Clinton W. Graffam Sr., was a charter member and one of the founders of the Portland Symphony Orchestra. His father, Clinton W. Graffam Jr., was Director of Music in the Portland Schools for thirty-three years, founder and conductor of the Portland Youth Symphony Orchestra (now the USM Youth Ensembles), and founder and conductor of the Community Orchestra of Portland (now the Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra). His mother, Katherine H. Graffam, was an active cello teacher and performer. Both his parents played in the Portland Symphony Orchestra for over fifty years, and each have endowed chairs with the PSO in their names. His sister, Andrea Graffam, recently retired after more than forty years as cellist with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. Allen attended Deering High School and is a 1975 graduate of the University of Maine.

Since 1983, Mr. Graffam has served as Director of Bands at Mt. Ararat High School in Topsham, Maine. He is also the trumpet instructor at Bowdoin College and is a frequent guest conductor and clinician at band and orchestra festivals and clinics. Allen has also edited marches for modern concert band, including several composed by Maine's own, R.B. Hall, who was born in Bowdoinham, one of the four towns of Mt. Ararat High School's district.

An active trumpet player, Allen plays throughout New England with the Blue Hill Brass (available for weddings, parties, funerals and other festive occasions), is a member of the Maine Chamber Ensemble and the Maine Pro Musica Orchestra, and has played with the Portland Symphony Orchestra, the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, The Lincoln Arts Festival Orchestra, The Brunswick Oratorio Chorale Orchestra, The Ice Capades Orchestra, The Don Doane Big Band, and The Al Corey Big Band.

At Mt. Ararat since 1983
University of Maine, Orono, B.A., Music Education/Performance

Extra-curricular positions
  • Music Department Chairperson, 1983-
  • Project Graduation Advisor- 1990, 1991
  • National Honor Society Advisor- 2007-
  • Class of 2014 Advisor- 2010-

Professional service- Conducting/Education
  • Guest Conductor- Maine District II High Honors Band- 2009
  • Guest Conductor- Coastal Youth Orchestra- 2005-
  • Guest Conductor- Maine District III Junior High Honors Band- 1997
  • Conductor and Music Director- Chandler's Band, Portland, Maine- 1991- 2004
  • Guest Conductor- Maine District V Music Festival Junior High Band- 1987
  • Guest Conductor- Maine District II Music Festival Junior Band- 1986
  • Guest Conductor- Southern Maine Music Festival Junior High Band- 1985
  • Guest Conductor- All Aroostook (Maine) Music Festival- Junior High Band- 1984
  • Guest Conductor- Maine District V Music Festival High School Band- 1982
  • Guest Conductor- University of Maine Alumni Band- 1982
  • Guest Conductor- Maine ASTA Music Festival- 1978, 1984
  • Guest Conductor- Maine Summer Youth Music Camp- Junior Band- 1981, 1982, 1984
  • Guest Conductor- Maine Summer Youth Music Camp- High School Orchestra- 1983
  • Guest Conductor- Maine Summer Youth Music Camp- High School Band Assistant Conductor- 1980
  • Guest Conductor- Maine Summer Youth Music Camp- High School Jazz Band Director- 1978, 1979
  • Portland Youth Symphony Orchestra, Assistant Director- 1975-1977
  • Camp Director- Merrymeeting Summer Band Camp- 1984-
  • Maine Music Educators Association- Band Vice President- 1985-1987, 1996-1998
  • High School Band Manager- Maine District III Music Festival- 1988-1990
  • Co-Chair, Maine Music Educators Association District III- 1985-1986
  • Executive Board- Maine Music Educators Association- 1984-1987, 1996-
  • Host- Maine Large Group Festival- 1983-1985
  • Faculty Member- Maine Summer Youth Music Camp- 1974-1984
  • Faculty Member- Maine ASTA Summer Camp- 1976-1977

Professional service- Performing

Etc.

 

Kristen Thomas

At Mt. Ararat since 2007

University of Southern Maine, 2002
 Mt. Ararat High School, 1997

Extra-curricular positions
Choral Music, 2002-2003; Drama (music), 2002-2003

Etc.
Taught at Cape Elizabeth High School, Maine- 2003-2007