Nauset High Alumni Concert Unveils New Performing Arts Center

NORTH EASTHAM – Last Thursday, the Nauset Regional High School music department hosted an alumni concert and grand opening of the school’s new performing arts center. 

Nauset High’s three-phase building project is more than halfway finished.

“The new performing arts center is one of the highlights of the first two phases of construction,” said Tom Faris, head of fine arts at the school.  

The night was filled with musical performances, vocal and instrumental solos, speeches and roaring applause. 

The high school’s orchestra, concert band, jazz ensemble and chorus all had featured roles and performances throughout the night. The Nauset High School Alumni Chorus opened the evening with holiday songs, directed by Faris and Allison Beaven, the artistic director of the Outer Cape Chorale and Chamber Singers and previous NRHS choral director. 

Many alumni with instrumental backgrounds joined their respective ensembles on stage as well. Emily McLellan, a graduate and Faris’ daughter, accompanied the alumni chorus on cello and performed separately with her husband, Scott, another NRHS grad.

Two recent graduates, Madison Mayer (2019) and Ella Mae Dixon (2021), had solo vocal performances backed by a band of two alumni and one current student: Ben Colgan (2016) on piano, Brad Conant (2006) on drums and Mason Ellsasser (2027) on bass. 

Altogether approximately 120 alumni were present to celebrate the new space. 

Senator Julian Cyr, D-Truro, himself a NRHS graduate, joined the alumni chorus and gave a few remarks. 

“It gave me purpose and meaning beyond my academics,” he said of the music program at Nauset. “It gave me community.” 

Cyr credited his time as a student at Nauset for his outspoken advocacy and future career as a state senator. He was instrumental in keeping the music program going during his years at Nauset, even performing at town meetings in hopes of residents voting in favor of funding. 

Celebrated singer Meghan Trainor, a Nauset alum, sent in a video praising the school and the project. “I am proud to have graduated from Nauset,” she said. 

Superintendent Brooke Clenchy, NRHS Principal Patrick Clark and Educational Liaison Kathleen Tringale were all on hand to offer remarks throughout the ceremony. 

“In venues like this, this is where you learn about teamwork, determination, grit and community,” Clenchy said.

Phase two of the campus renovation project is scheduled to be completed in August 2025, while phase three will involve final landscaping and other work. The full project is set to be completed in December 2025. For more information on the project, visit nausetbuildingproject.com.