The St. Thomas music programs ushered in the month of May with their annual Spring Concert on the first of the month in Cemo Auditorium. Musical showcases from the St. Thomas string orchestra, percussion ensembles, concert band, jazz lab band and combo, and both Incarnate Word Academy and St. Thomas choirs, culminated a year of award-winning performances for the schools.

“The band program has consistently ranked in the top five TAPPS programs for many years. This year, we ranked second,” Director of Instrumental Music Donald Thoede said. “Despite their demanding schedules and drive times, they all have worked hard this year.”

The show started with a bang as the Percussion Ensemble took the stage to kick off the concert. The audience then listened to a special marimba quartet performance, followed by a guitar showcase from Blaine Turner (’25). Turner earned a spot in the 2025 Texas Private School Music Educators Association All-State Jazz Band earlier this spring.

Following the introductory music stylings of Turner and the percussion groups, the Incarnate Word Academy Choir performed a series of three pieces, all in Latin.

The concert continued with the Jazz Combo performing Behind You by Gordon Goodwin (with TPSMEA All-State Baritone Saxophone player and senior Evan Wagner). The St. Thomas Singers followed, singing three pieces. The Singers’ final song, Blow the Man Down, a fishing shanty, featured soloists Maxwell Manning, Benjamin Castano, and David Vingerhoedt (all ’25). Manning, along with fellow singers Anton Joshy (‘27), Jonah Moore (‘26), and Ethan Tastard (’25), earned TPSMEA All-State distinction this spring, as well.

“Both choirs performed the three pieces they sang for Contest this year,” Choir Director Joshua Wilson shared. “I chose those pieces because I knew they would give them a chance to really show off their musical abilities. The choirs sang so well, with beauty, musicality, and mature expression. I am so glad for all their growth this year, and this was a wonderful way to cap off the semester.”

The evening rolled along with performances from the Jazz Lab Band, String Ensemble (including another TPSMEA All-State student, James Dixon, Class of 2026, on violin), and Concert Band.

To close out the concert, the Percussion Ensemble returned to the stage with a raucous performance of Stick Schtick by Chris Brooks – an 8-person ensemble piece originally performed by STOMP. The piece requires each member to hit their drumstick against a bigger stick, each one a different size, to create different sounds. The boys tapped their rhythms and performed choreography to keep the beat.

In keeping with tradition, the concert ended with the St. Thomas Singers and IWA Choir singing An Irish Blessing and all combined ensembles performing the St. Thomas Fighting Eagle Fight Song. This year’s seniors were also recognized, each receiving a round of applause from the audience.

“The biggest thing I learned from Choir is how to collaborate with my peers for a greater goal through music,” Tastard, a senior, shared. “Choir is energetic. There isn’t a clear way to accurately describe what it’s like to sing with an ensemble unless you do it. Everyone is listening to each other, making sure we create a uniform sound. Forgot a few notes? Listen to the guy on your right, he’s got it. Forgot a few words of the music? Listen to the guy on your left, he probably remembers. It’s through this almost subconscious support everyone has for each other – that’s what creates the music.”