SHERMAN, TEXAS – Several Austin College students have been selected as members of the Sherman Symphony Orchestra (SSO) for this academic year.
Directed by Daniel Dominick of the Austin College music faculty, the symphony is a crucial piece of the Music Department’s desire to provide the highest quality performing experiences for students. While the SSO includes professional musicians from north Texas, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Oklahoma, a significant number of Austin College students perform alongside these area professionals.
The Sherman Symphony performs the major symphonic literature from all eras and is open to qualified Austin College students by audition, with no restriction as to major or class year. The majority of Austin College students performing with the orchestra are not music majors.
Participants are listed below by hometown, along with (when available) their parents’ names and the local high school from which they graduated.
Bedford, Texas
Aaron Archer, a graduate of LD Bell High School and son of Robert L. and Melinda M. Archer;
Denton, Texas
William Tanner, son of Yiyun Jiang and Harold Tanner;
Fairview, Texas
Danielle Rogan, a graduate of Lovejoy High School and daughter of Kevin and Elizabeth Rogan;
Gainesville, Texas
Johnathan Cole Flanagan, a graduate of Callisburg High School and son of Joel C. Flanagan of Whitesboro, Texas and Kimberly D. Flanagan of Gainesville, Texas;
Garland, Texas
Michelle Henderson, a graduate of Garland High School and daughter of Shelly and Brian Henderson;
Haslet, Texas
Zoe Rice, a graduate of Northwest High School and daughter of Tim and Coni Give;
Howe, Texas
Dylan Guthrie, a graduate of Howe High School and son of Veronica Vineyard;
McKinney, Texas
Nicole Baker, a graduate of McKinney Boyd High School and daughter of John and Deborah Baker;
Rikki Lam, daughter of Annie and Wing Lam;
Joann Mathew, a graduate of McKinney Boyd High School and daughter of John and Susan Mathew;
Murphy, Texas
Andrew Dawson, a graduate of Plano East Senior High School and son of Christine and Michael Dawson;
Parker, Texas
Kendall Armijo, a graduate of Plano East Senior High School and daughter of Mickey and Robbie Armijo;
Plano, Texas
Derrick Draeger, a graduate of Plano Senior High School and son of Duane and Phuong Draeger;
Vivek Kuppurajan, a graduate of Plano West Senior High School and son of Maha and Raj Kuppurajan;
Shannon Pan, daughter of Susan Su and Xingkui Pan;
Antonio Saavedra, a graduate of Plano Senior High School and son of Teresa and Carlos Saavedra;
Richardson, Texas
Holly He, a graduate of Plano East Senior High School and daughter of Steven He and Sally Li;
Sherman, Texas
Ashley Hicks, a graduate of Sherman High School and daughter of Don and Lesa Hicks;
Connor Luckett, a graduate of Sherman High School and son of Lawane and Rhonda Luckett;
Sugar Land, Texas
Christina Mao, daughter of Wendy Li and Cory Mao;
Van Alstyne, Texas
Dylan Guthrie, a graduate of Howe High School and son of Graham Guthrie; and
Wylie, Texas
Megan Chiu, a graduate of Wylie High School and daughter of Anna Ni.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, international study, pre-professional foundations, leadership development, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 36 percent of students representing ethnic minorities. A residential student body of 1,250 students and a faculty of more than 100 allow a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. The College is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. Founded in 1849, the College is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.