Last night THS music program director John Karos experienced his last in-school band concert as band director of Tuscarora High School with ambivalence and gratitude. Karos has left a strong 16-year legacy of excellence and pride regarding the music program here at THS, as is evident in the two years of winning States for the Marching Band and the countelss superior ratings for both the band and the orchestra under his assistant director Lucas Hogan. Many tears of gratitude were shed on account of the students and Though Karos will be moving on to work at Central Office in the fall, his legacy will certainly be here to stay.
Last night’s spring concert proved to be a product of the many years of hard work and dedication to excellence that Karos has committed to during his time as THS band director. Many alumni from over the years, families of current students, staff, and professional colleagues and friends came out to support Karos in his last offical concert of the season. The concert featured work from Aaran Copland’s “Variations on a Shaker Melody” and Larry Dawhn’s “As Summer Was Just Beginning,” finishing the concert off with a supreme work of magic with the full orchestra’s performance of Marquez’s “Danzon No. 2” featuring soloists Nitya Rishi, Jordan Ames, Michael Auldridge, Lina Quiros and Gabriel Danchanko.
Orchestra and Assistant Band Director Lucas Hogan spoke to the strong legacy Karos has built here at THS during him time here. He spoke to Karos’ commitment to building a strong identity of “excellence” from the minute he stepped foot into Tuscarora High School. Karos has always been committed to fostering and building this strong identity year after year, no matter what level of mastery the band begins.
It was evident Karos is extremely proud of the students on stage with him last night. He is able to commit to this identity of excellence “because of the kids” as he would often say, and the support from the community, Music Boosters, staff, colleagues and family.
Karos will be beginning his position at Central Office as Teacher Specialist of Visual and Performing Arts K-12 beginning in the fall of 2025, and THS wishes him all the best in this next chapter of his career. Thank you, Mr. Karos, for you constant commitment to student success.
