INTERVIEW: Nicole Hlaus, Director at Hutchinson-Trinity Catholic High School

Bowen Boyack of KBN: Tell me about yourself and what inspired you to get this job as a Band Director at Trinity Catholic.

Nicole Hlaus: I graduated from Emporia State University in 2009 with my Bachelors in Music Education.  I have previously taught a K-12 music program at USD 112 Central Plains and was the Assistant Band director at USD 405 Lyons.  I began teaching at Trinity Catholic High School in 2016.

BB: Tell me a little bit about the Band Program here at TCHS. 

NH: I teach both band and choir classes at Trinity.  I have a combined 7th/8th grade band, combined 7th/8th grade choir, High School Choir, and High School Band.  In the afternoons I help with 5th and 6thgrade band at Holy Cross Grade School.  I also have a  HS Jazz band that rehearses once a week during class time and we also have a drumline that meets after school.

BB: What inspired your musical selections this year for marching band?

NH: We do not do marching band, but we do have a pep band that performs for football and basketball games.  The drumline also participates in pep band.

BB: Tell me about the upcoming trips you will be taking within the next 3-4 years.

NH: We have no definite plans to travel.

BB: What concert band repertoire are your bands playing this year? When are your upcoming performances?

NH: For Christmas, the JH band played Nocturnal Dances and African Bell Carol both by Robert W. Smith.  High school band played Fanfare for the Third Planet by Saucedo, The Seal Lullaby by Whitacre, and Scenes from the Nutcracker arr. By Story.  Jazz band performed The Christmas Song arr. By Taylor, A Charlie Brown Christmas arr. By Murtha and Santa Baby arr. By Berry.  For our Spring concert, May 9th, JH will be performing Celtic Air and Dance arr. By Sweeney and Afterburn by Randall Standridge.  Jazz band will perform In the Mood by Garland, Misty arr. By Lewis, and the Incredibles arr. By Murtha.  HS Band will be performing In a Gentle Rain by Smith and The Cave you Fear by Marc Dickey.  We will also be playing Piano Concerto in A minor (Grieg) arranged by Marc Oliver to feature our Senior pianist.

BB: Looking forward to 2019, any plans for your band that you would be willing to share? 

NH: I have several students who will be participating KSHAA Regional Solo and Small Ensemble in March.  The rest of our time is spent preparing for our concert.

Thank you, Nicole. Best of luck to you and the TC Bands in your future.