Addison Trail orchestras debut new piece entitled ‘Legacy’

Addison Trail Orchestra Director and Music Department Chair Dan O’Connell conducts the Addison Trail orchestras on April 28, his final concert before he retires at the end of this school year. O'Connell has dedicated more than 33 years to teaching in the Village of Addison. During the concert, the orchestras debuted a new piece entitled "Legacy" in honor of O'Connell's retirement and Addison Trail's upcoming 50th anniversary. Photos by HR Imaging

Left: Addison Trail Orchestra Director and Music Department Chair Dan O’Connell greets students, staff, alumni, parents/guardians and community members during a reception in his honor after his final concert on April 28. O'Connell will retire at the end of this school year after dedicating more than 33 years to teaching in the Village of Addison. Photo by HR Imaging

Right: O'Connell (center) is pictured with (from left) his son, Danny, 13, his daughter Sarah, 15, his wife, Sue, and his daughter Kelly, 16.

On April 28, the Addison Trail orchestras premiered a new piece in honor of Addison Trail Orchestra Director and Music Department Chair Dan O’Connell’s upcoming retirement at the end of the school year, as well as Addison Trail’s 50th anniversary (which will take place during the 2016-17 school year).

The piece, entitled "Legacy," is an orchestral fantasy based on the melody from the school’s new alma mater, "Hail to Thee,” which was debuted earlier this year. “Legacy” was composed by Robert Longfield and was commissioned by Addison Trail High School, the school’s Music Department and the Addison Trail Music Booster Club.

To see a video of the premiere, go to https://youtu.be/ASUo3gYxeYw.

That event was O’Connell’s final concert as Orchestra Director at Addison Trail, and he has dedicated more than 33 years to teaching in the Village of Addison. After the concert, a reception took place for O’Connell, during which students, staff, alumni, parents/guardians and community members congratulated him on his successful career and thanked him for his years of service.

Click here to watch the premiere of "Legacy"