Choir

Choir and Instrumental Music

The Music program at St. Augustine Catholic High School found its own identity and success in 2004 under the direction of Mrs. Kristine Flores.  Kris holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of North Texas.  She has been teaching in both public and private school sectors for twelve years and has over twenty years experience providing private voice instruction and working with Catholic music and liturgy. 

Currently, our music program consists of two main areas of instruction: choral and instrumental.  Initially SACHS began with only a choral program which has continually grown and developed and has generated quite a list of accomplishments.  In addition to our school performances that occur throughout each school year, we have also begun singing at a variety of events around the Tucson area.  In addition, this year’s Show Choir received the opportunity to perform in Disneyland based upon acceptance after their audition.  The students performed well, had a lot of fun, and had a very memorable experience.

Since 2006, we have participated in the Arizona South Central Region Solo and Ensemble Festival held at the University of Arizona.  Soloists and ensembles are adjudicated and receive ratings of Superior (1), Excellent (2), Good (3), Fair (4), and Needs Improvement (5).  Each year, we have about 10-15 participants representing our school who attend.  In the years we have participated, we have never received anything below a Good.  In 2007, our Senior Girls Ensemble and two of our soloists received a Superior.  In 2008, we didn’t elect to have any of our ensembles perform, but three of our soloists (out of ten) received a Superior.  The other seven received an Excellent and were within one to two points of receiving a Superior. 

We also participate annually in the Arizona South Central Regional Auditions in which students audition with the hope of making it into the All-Regional Choir.  We have consistently had students make it into this choir each year which has also provided the opportunity for them to audition in Phoenix for the All-State Choir.

The 2007-2008 school year was the first year that the SACHS Jazz Band Combo class came into existence.  We could not have asked for a better combination of instruments.  The band consisted of drums, keyboard, electric guitar, bass guitar, trumpet, alto sax, tenor sax, violin, viola, cello, acoustic guitars, and sometimes ukulele.  It was a really outstanding combination of students and instruments.  We had several successful performances throughout the school year.  Some of the highlights included a “Coffee House” in which the students got to play music of their choice with instrumental groupings of their choice and an opportunity to perform in Phoenix on the lawn of the Capital building for a CTSO Rally.