THS Production of "Stage Door"

Stage Door, a comedy by Edna Ferber and George S. Kaufman, is being performed at Tuacahn High School on March 31, April 1, 2, 4, 7-9. It will be held in the Tuacahn Hafen Theatre at 7:30 pm.

Stage Door Poster...click on picture to enlarge.

Don't miss the opportunity to be entertained by a cast of talented THS students, under the professional direction of Jan and Andy Hunsaker. You won't want to miss it! Tickets are on sale at the school or at the door. Call 435-652-3201.

THS Vocal Music Takes Top Awards at SUPAF

Sabrina Parry and Mr. Kentros after Sabrina received her award for Solo Vocalist.

Tuacahn High School's Vocal Music students did extremely well at the Southern Utah Performing Arts Festival this year. In his first year of teaching vocal music at THS, Mr. JP Kentros has really helped students excell.

Awards received by THS vocal music groups include:

Madrigals: received a superior rating and won the SUPAF Award for High School Choirs.
Radiante: received a superior rating.

Awards received by THS vocalists include:

Sabrina Parry: superior rating and won a SUPAF Award as a Solo Vocalist.
Taylor Richardson: superior rating and won a Music Works Award.
Kendle Zdunich: superior rating.
Danica Christensen: superior rating.
Aubrey Anderson: superior rating.
Caleigh Venetis: superior rating.
Hunter Kanenwisher: superior rating.
Keira Richardson and Abi Christian: superior rating for their duet.

Congratulations to all of the above THS Vocal Music students for their outstanding accomplishments!

Jason Bonham Presenting at the Primrose International Viola Competition

THS Instrumental Music Instructor, Jason Bonham, is presenting at the Primrose International Viola Competition in Albuquerque, New Mexico, June 2011. He will be talking about how to make a career as a musician.

Jason has performed as a violist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra in addition to other symphony orchestras. At the age of 34, Jason has earned the reputation of a first-class performer, detailed conductor and a gifted teacher. In addition to his work at Tuacahn High School, he has been a catalyst of growth in the Southern Utah music community. He founded the Southern Utah Music Institute (SUMI), which is a vehicle for helping grow music opportunities for musicians of all levels and abilities. He conducts the Red Cliffs Chamber Orchestra (RCCO), a group that he and several other area professional musicians founded in spring of 2010.

Jason was honored to be nominated to the Executive Board of the American Viola Society. He has recently been published in the Journal of the American Viola Society. He is a member of the American String Teachers Association, Music Teachers National Association and Utah Music Educators Association. Jason has been an adjunct faculty member at both Brigham Young University and Dixie State College.

Grad Night Part 2011

Grad Night preparations have been in the works for several months now, and we are excited about how well everything is coming together.

This year's theme is "That's Entertainment", and will be held after graduation on May 24, 2011 from 10:30 pm until 5 am or the morning of May 25, 2011. Each graduate in attendance with receive a gift bag which is currently valued over $100. There will be drawings throughout the evening for fantastic prizes as well. Each student will receive at least one additional prize. There are fun activities planned, and delicious food as well.

Tickets will go on sale after spring break on Wednesdays and Fridays at lunch. Cost of ticket is only $20 if purchased prior to April 24, 2011. We will hold weekly prize drawings for those who have purchased their tickets. So, get ready for fun! And get your ticket early for Grad night, graduating seniors!

Thanks to Jennifer Guter for our fantastic posters! Jennifer owns Reflections Printing Inc. http://www.relectionsprintinginc.com/ .

Special thanks to Karen and Mark Jackson who have been soliciting for our grad night prizes and swag bag goods. Please send an email to Karen if you have items to contribute or if you know a business who would like to make a donation, kamjpg@yahoo.com

THS Instrumental Music Solo and Ensemble Results

The following entries at Solo and Ensemble received State Qualification:

Guitar Ensemble (I)
Kyralisa Richardsen
Bridger Kanenwisher
Bryan Clarkson
Josh Draper
Gabrielle Servati
David Edmunds
Jeremy Peck
Megan Huard

String Choir (I)
Sabrina Parry, Violin
Larrea Cottingham, Violin
Summer Morris, Violin
Aubrey Kelton, Violin
Ashley PItarrio, Viola
Allie Tonks, Viola
David Edmunds, Cello
Taylor Blake, Cello
Jeffery Chapman, Bass

Solo Performances
Jeffery Chapman, Bass (I)
Taylor Blake, Cello (I)
David Edmunds, Cello (I)
David Edmunds, Guitar (I)
Ashley Pittario, Viola (I)
Sabrina Parry, Violin (I)
Larrea Cottingham Violin (I)
Katheryn Porter, Violin (I)

In addition to the state qualifiers above, the following entries at Solo and Ensemble received a "Superior" Rating:

Aubrey Kelton, Violin (I-)
Adam Garceau, Trumpet (1-)

Juilliard Jazz Orchestra coaches THS Jazz Combo

Jazz Band Students at Tuacahn High School for the Performing Arts had the privilege of having a clinic with The Juilliard Jazz Orchestra, and their director, Carl Allen.

On Thursday March 3, 2011 , the talented Juilliard Jazz Orchestra was in town and performed for a packed audience that evening at Tuacahn High School's Hafen Theatre. While Juilliard has its campus in New York, it also has an affiliation with Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. Always wanting to expose local student musicians to a variety of high caliber performers, Jason Bonham, Director of Instrumental Music at Tuacahn High School for the Performing Arts, arranged for Juilliard to perform at Tuacahn. In addition, he also arranged for local school's music students to have clinics with this elite group. The students really enjoyed working with the Juilliard coaches, and many stayed for the outstanding concert that night as well.

Juilliard and Snow College awarded two full scholarships to the Juilliard Jazz Summer Workshop at Snow College to THS students, Jeffry Chapman,bass (4th from left) and David Edmunds, guitar (3rd from left).

This is part of an article that was originally published in Alive! Utah South Area, an online magazine.

THS Instrumental Music Students Excel at SUPAF

Tuacahn Titans Instrumental Music students did very well this year at Southern Utah Performing Arts Festival.

Four of our THS students were recognized as outstanding musicians in their category at this year's SUPAF Festival. Sabrina Parry (violin), Keely Schmerber (piano), Jeffry Chapman (bass), and Adam Garceau (trumpet) were all recognized for outstanding solo performances


Jeffry Chapman and Adam Garceau show their certificates at SUPAF awards night.

Keely Schmerber and Sabrina Parry show their certificates at the SUPAF Awards Night