The following story about former Peebles resident Brandon
Stroup includes writing, reprinted and updated, by Sarah Womer, a
staff writer with the Yuma Sun newspaper of Yuma, Ariz.,
www.yumasun.com.
Stroup was interviewed recently by Womer as he prepared the Yuma
Ecumenical Choir for a performance of the Christmas portion of
Handel’s “Messiah.” The 2000 graduate of Peebles High School is the
son of John and Vicki Stroup of Peebles.
“I’ve always been very interested in music and, after my mom
practically begged her to teach me, was given piano lessons from
Carolyn Freeze during high school,” Stroup wrote to The People’s
Defender last week. “She always pushed me to do my absolute best,
and also encouraged me to major in music in college. When I visit
Ohio, we still get together to play piano duets, or she’ll
accompany me while I sing.”
Stroup was involved in both choir and band in high school and
was a member of the Liberty Cornet Band. After graduation, he
attended the Conservatory of Music at Capital University and was a
vocal music education major, studying both piano and voice.
Growing up in Adams County is something for which I am very
thankful,” Stroup wrote. “After I graduated from college, I even
moved back to the area, teaching at North Adams High School for
three great years. It was a difficult decision to move to the other
side of the country, but did what I felt was right for my life.
“While I do miss my family, I enjoy teaching in Yuma, and have
more administrative and community support than I ever could have
imagined,” Stroup continued. “In my current position, I am
responsible for teaching five choir classes, as well as assisting
with the school’s spring musical.”
After three years of creative collaboration, an important and
traditional musical work returned to Yuma this holiday season. The
Christmas portion of Handel’s “Messiah” was performed by the Yuma
Ecumenical Choir after a decade of absence in the community.
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