The Hilltop is abuzz with sounds of India, WA's first Class B championship girls varsity soccer team, this weekend's Middle School play, and more!

'SIDEWAYS STORIES
FROM WAYSIDE SCHOOL'

The Worcester Academy Middle School presents "Sideways Stories from Wayside School," which begins tonight and runs through Sunday in the Andes Pit Theater.

The play, a John Olive adaptation of a novel by Louis Sachar, details the adventures of students attending a tower-like school, 30 stories high, with one room per story, but with no 19th story.

Showtimes are Friday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m. (SOLD OUT), Saturday, Nov. 22, at 3 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 23, at 3 p.m. All performances are in the Andes Pit Theater, located on the lower level of Walker Hall.

For tickets or information, contact faculty member Robyn Thompson with your name and the number of tickets desired.

GIRLS SOCCER CHAMPIONS

The Worcester Academy Girls Varsity Soccer Team won the 2008 NEPSAC Class B Championship in convincing fashion this week.  The girls beat Wilbraham & Monson 3 - 0 in a game Sunday that capped an undefeated season for the Hilltoppers.

According to Adam Strogoff, head coach, the girls scored three goals in the 2nd half to claim the New England Class B Championship.  Goal scorers were Chelsea Barr (with an assist to Melissa Mello), Chelsea Graves (with a penalty kick), and Ali Walendziak (with an assist to Emily Doherty).

The girls' record, 15-0-2, made them top seed going into tournament play and ultimately carried them to their first Class B championship ever (WA co-won Class C several years ago).  The feat will now be commemorated with a banner in Daniels Gymnasium.

On Tuesday, each of the girls received a silver bowl at the annual fall athletics assembly.  By tradition, silver bowls are presented to all those Worcester Academy athletes who complete undefeated seasons.

Prior to winning Sunday's game, the girls had dispatched Miss Porter's and Middlesex in their bid for the NEPSAC championship.

NEPSAC is an acronym for the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council.

ACCLAIMED INDIAN MUSICIAN

Acclaimed Indian musician Sandip Burman brought the classical sounds of India to Worcester Academy recently.  He offered a master class in the structure of Indian music to the school's bands and choruses.

According to Al Vaudreuil, instrumental director, his presentation was "insightful and informative," and his playing skills on the sitar and tabla were "outstanding."

Mr. Burman, native of Durgapur, India, has studied and performed with the lendary Indian musician Ravi Shankar.  Mr. Burman also has performance credits with jazz greats including guitarists John McLaughlin (founder of the Mahavishnu Orchestra), Al Dimeola, and drummer Jack Dejohnette.  Recently, he toured with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.

Mr. Vaudreuil said his talent and creativity are clearly evident, making his student performances and classes enjoyable and leaving the audiences in awe of the artist and his art form.