Letters

Musical Inspiration

I am writing after seeing the story about The Green Thread alumni podcast in the spring 2026 issue of The Connection (“The Ties That Bind”). 

I spent my years at HCC in the Music Department, 1977-1979. 

At South Hadley High School, I played music but was not the best student. I struggled to get work done, and I did not like “playing” the student game. Entering HCC and the Music Department opened my eyes and mind to what was possible. For the first time, I was nurtured and guided through my studies, which fostered my love and passion for music. I even made the Dean’s List, which was quite a shocker to my family. HCC lit fires within me rather than under me. I found inside a burning passion to be better, get better, and achieve. 

After HCC, I finished my bachelor’s degree in music education at the University of New Hampshire and later my master’s degree in music education and musical composition. 

Throughout my 39 years of teaching, I continued to play music professionally in the greater New England market. From lower Connecticut to Cape Cod and (mostly) the Boston market, I played with a variety of bands and musical genres from rock to jazz to theater shows. Additionally, I began composing music for school bands and jazz bands and working with music publishers to market my music internationally. To date, I have 40 pieces in print that are being sold to schools in and beyond the United States. 

While I am no longer teaching, I don’t like saying I’m “retired,” as I focus now on my playing schedule and composing. Each week, I am working on music for publishers and/or schools. I often conduct an honor concert or jazz band or visit a school that is playing one of my pieces. 

Bottom line: My life could have turned out very differently if it were not for Sidney Smith, Dan and Judy Oberholtzer, Amy Barber Kidd, and all of the mentors in the HCC Music Department. It all started at HCC, and I will never forget that, and letting some younger people know my story just might allow them to see their future selves and what’s possible.

Respectfully,

Brad Ciechomski ’79
Cape Elizabeth, Maine

You can learn more about Ciechomski’s composing and musical activities on his website: Bradcmusic.com

Connection Connections

Bravo to you and your staff at The Connection for an absolutely delightful spring issue. It was particularly meaningful to me to read about the achievements of Kokui Adesokan ’07 (“My HCC Story: Something to Celebrate”). I was her French teacher at Springfield High School of Science and Technology and enjoyed both her and her brother, who so positively affected her class. 

Thank you,

Nancy Gadbois
Southampton, Mass.

Credit to HCC

I credit HCC with both the confidence and the solid academic foundation to transfer to Springfield College, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation and disability Studies (2012) and master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling (2013). As a person who now holds a Ph.D in health sciences from Northern Illinois University (2024), I am proud to say I began my educational journey at a community college. With over a decade of employment at various higher education institutions across the country and as the spouse of an active-duty U.S. Marine, I have settled back in Massachusetts, where I am currently sharing my knowledge and experience as an access coordinator in Disability Services at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. I sing the praises of HCC wherever and whenever I can.

Hira Byrne Paulin ’10
Amherst, Mass.

A certified rehabilitation counselor, Paulin received the Young Alumna Award from Springfield College in 2025.