Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Fall 2019 | Page 12

QUEEN OF
ST R I N G S
or more than two decades,
Thornton Academy music
students have listened and learned
from one of the most highly
regarded professional leaders in music
education in Maine. Anne Wilkinson,
otherwise known as the “Queen of
Strings,” was recently inducted into the
Maine Music Educator Association’s
(MMEA) Hall of Fame in recognition
of her significant contribution to
school music.
F
In June, Anne also celebrated her
retirement from Thornton after 26
years. While at TA, Anne established
the school’s symphony orchestra,
consisting of the string program and
the wind ensemble, and served as the
director of the school's string quartet.
Her students’ performances often sold
out—especially the annual holiday
concert in December, and the February
pops concert featuring the string and
symphony orchestras.
Thornton Academy’s musical success
can certainly be attributed in part
to the excellent musical preparation
students receive at Saco and Dayton
schools. After moving to Maine in
1984, Anne went straight to work
developing these programs, which
now serve more than 250 students. She
soon assumed the position of orchestra
director for Saco schools, a role which
12
a packed audience in
Linnell Gymnasium
celebrated during the
All-City Strings Concert
in June. Four city
orchestras comprised
of students in grades
3-12 honored her
retirement, even
performing the world
premiere of “Saco
Festival Overture,”
a piece created in
Anne’s honor by
local composer and
educator, Dr. Andy
Dabcynski.
Left: Students say farewell at the year-end All-City
Strings Concert. Right: Anne is inducted into the
Maine Music Educator Association’s Hall of Fame.
Anne’s reputation as
a beloved strings educator extends
beyond the walls of TA and into
Maine’s music community where she
is celebrated as an active participant
in local, district, and regional music.
She co-chaired the York County
Junior High Festival Orchestra and
District 1 Honors Music Festival, was a
frequent guest conductor for regional
music festivals, and served as the low
string adjudicator for the All-State
Music Festival. Summers found her
teaching and conducting at Southern
Maine String Camp, UMO’s Summer
Youth Music Camp, and the Thornton
Academy Arts Camp. Anne is also
Story by Katie Beane · Photos Credit Jennifer Witherell-Stebbins & David Hanright
a part-time faculty member at the
University of Southern Maine, and
even performs regularly in a string
quartet, local orchestras, and chamber
music ensembles.
Anne’s passion for teaching has guided
the hearts of thousands of children
toward an instrument, and her
commitment to her students is evident
in the beautiful music they make. Her
presence will be greatly missed by the
entire TA community.