In March, numerous TU students, alumni, and friends gathered to celebrate the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein in two gala performances at the historic Will Rogers High & Middle School Auditorium. The concerts were sponsored by the Will Rogers Stage Foundation and featured an orchestra, chorus, and soloists in a grand concert of favorite R&H selections.
TU friends and faculty included Dick Risk, president of the Will Rogers Stage Foundation and chorus member; Cathy Venable, soloist; Daniel Arthurs and Rod Clark, trombone; Lorelei Barton, harp; Dean DeMerritt, bass; George Toumayan, drum set/percussion; and Christy Foster, clarinet. Students and alumni included Julie Mitchener, oboe; Rich Fisher, trombone; Ed Morse, librarian; Micah Neely, Nick Bashforth, and Helena Singleton, violin; Kyleigh Taylor, Ethan Landis, and Sarah Carr, viola; and Shelby Fields, cello.
The Will Rogers Auditorium is an art deco masterpiece and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It boasts a new thee-manual, 42-rank Allen theatre organ that was featured in rousing preludes and postludes performed by Bill Rowland, adding to the festive atmosphere of this outstanding weekend of music.