The Wellesley Public Schools Performing Arts Department is excited to announce that Wellesley High School Choral Director Dr. Kevin McDonald has been selected to receive the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) Lowell Mason Award for 2023.
The Lowell Mason Award is presented annually to recognize members of MMEA who have been leaders in music education in Massachusetts. Dr. McDonald is the first Wellesley educator to be honored with this award since Amy Young Burns in 1975.
MMEA Members qualify for this honor by demonstrating outstanding leadership in music education and making important contributions to music, music education and MMEA. The award will be presented to Dr. McDonald at the annual MMEA All-State Conference on March 2 in Westford.
Dr. McDonald has been on the Wellesley High School faculty for 19 years and is currently the Director of Choral Programs at Wellesley High School. He directs the WHS Rice Street Singers, WHS Keynote Singers, WHS Song Sisters, WHS Brooks Brothers, WHS Concert Choir and oversees and advises the outstanding after school A Cappella program.
The WHS Choral Ensembles have received numerous awards and distinctions over the years under the direction of Dr. McDonald, including Gold Medals at State Festivals, performances at state and division music education conferences, and performances with professional organizations such as the Boston Pops Orchestra and New York Voices. The Rice Street Singers have been named high school champions on the WGBH TV show Sing That Thing.
In addition to his teaching in Wellesley, Dr. McDonald is the conductor of the Handel and Haydn Society Chorus of Tenors and Basses in Boston, Director of Music at Wellesley Village Church, and is an active guest conductor for State/District Festivals throughout New England. He frequently serves as clinician at many state/regional music conferences.
Dr. McDonald also had the honor of being a semifinalist for this year’s Grammy Music Educator of the Year award.
Congratulations to Dr. McDonald on this well-deserved recognition.