By: Pat Trevino | May 10, 2026
The Cuero ISD Choirs, under the direction of Tertia Cain, presented their “Totally Rad” spring concert on May 7, offering a program that combined UIL competition pieces, state‑advancing soloists, and a lively set of 1980s favorites. The evening reflected steady musical growth, teamwork, and a genuine sense of fun shared by both the students and their director.
UIL Competition Selections
The concert opened with the choir’s UIL repertoire, featuring:
- Regina Coeli — Davison
- The Lone Wild Bird — Burchard
- Crawdad Hole — Courtney
These selections allowed the students to demonstrate their developing ensemble skills and their ability to perform in contrasting styles.
State‑Advancing Soloists
The concert also included recognition for three students who advanced to the Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest earlier this year. Their pieces were performed at the contest and represented an important milestone in their individual vocal studies:
- Nadia Light (Sophomore) — Perduta Ho La Speranza https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18t9pcDhjV/
- Landri Dyer (Senior) — Una Donna A Quindici Anni
- Adam Taylor (Junior) — Spirate Pur, Spirate
While these students were acknowledged for their state achievements, the spirit of the evening truly belonged to the entire choir. The joy on the students’ faces — and the pride radiating from their families — made it clear that this concert was a celebration of everyone’s hard work, growth, and love of performing. Each singer contributed to the energy and success of the night, and the supportive atmosphere on stage reflected the strong sense of community within the program.
Choir Members
Soprano I: Nadia Light, La’Klvyonnia Johnson, Emily Reece
Soprano II: Lauren Leslie-Mees, Vexille Gamez, Ashlyn Anderson
Alto: Landri Dyer, Merari Andino Romero, Baily Blank, Malaysia Smith-Holman, Jaylee Beldin, Danielle Burton, Leighton Burton, Hayden Hill-Howard, Charlene Orch
Bass: Adam Taylor, Easton Light, Aidan Slough, Grady Pick
80s Selections Bring Energy
The second half of the concert shifted into a colorful, high‑energy 80s theme, and the students clearly had a blast with it. Their enthusiasm was contagious — big smiles, bold costumes, and a stage full of movement that kept the audience engaged throughout the set.
The selections included:
- Totally 80’s Medley
- Africa https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ETMPbaiRm/
- Take My Breath Away — solo by Nadia Light
- Livin’ On a Prayer — soloist: Grady Pick
- Think of Me — solo by Landri Dyer
- Time After Time
- Any Way You Want It (Journey Medley) — soloists: Charlene Orch, Nadia Light, Landri Dyer
The ensemble singing showed continued growth, and the students performed with a confidence that comes from hard work and a supportive environment. The solo features added expressive, memorable moments to the set, and the overall atmosphere was upbeat and enjoyable.
Director Tertia Cain brought her signature energy to the stage, guiding the students with encouragement and creating an environment where they could relax, have fun, and enjoy making music together.
Senior Recognition
Cain also honored two graduating seniors — Landri Dyer and Merari Andino Romero — presenting each with flowers in recognition of their years of dedication to the Cuero Choir program.
A Meaningful Night for Students and Families
The concert offered a genuine reflection of the students’ hard work throughout the year. It was an evening filled with progress, memorable solos, and a supportive audience that celebrated every step of the journey. The smiles, applause, and shared excitement made it clear that this performance was about more than music — it was about community, growth, and the joy of being part of something together.
Editor’s Note: Some performance videos are not included due to a lost phone containing the recordings. If any parents captured footage and are willing to share, please email it to cueroonlinenews@gmail.com.