Community Spotlight | The Music of the Mouse

Mar 30, 2023

It was always a dream for Trinity Catholic High School to have a dedicated fine and performing arts center on its campus. The faith-based, co-ed college preparatory school is meticulously rigorous academically, offering dual enrollments, advanced placement and honors curriculums that puts its students ahead of the curve – while also encouraging them to expand their horizons beyond books and tests.

Excellence in the arts is given the same level of importance and emphasis as part of a well-rounded, comprehensive education. Creative expression, imagination, and nurturing emerging talent are integral to both the classroom and community, and a supportive environment for students to explore those talents is equally vital.  When the school was built 20 years ago, they didn’t have the money in the budget for the ideal arts facility they wanted to build.

“Originally, I had this idea that I’d play some piano pieces, maybe have a vocalist or two onstage to accompany me. Just a small, intimate concert to raise some money. That changed fast.”

–  Tyler Stentiford, Event Headliner and Trinty Catholic Alumni

But they kept the idea safely tucked away in the hope and faith that one day it could happen, even if they weren’t sure how. 

Fast forward to 2022, and a gobstopper of a surprise: an $8 Million donation out of nowhere, specifically and expressly designated for exactly that purpose. Albert Colangelo gave Trinity a windfall of epic proportions that suddenly put the arts center within arm’s reach of becoming reality – but there was still some work to do. 

“Music of the Mouse” – a benefit concert Showcase is proud to sponsor – began as a small, intimate evening fundraiser, part of the “Reflecting God’s Glory Together” campaign that began last September. It will be held at the Reilly Arts Center on April 1 for two shows.

Tyler Stentiford, the headliner (and unwitting instigator) of the concert, is an alumnus of Trinity, whose parents started the Orlando Arts Conservatory. He started in music and learning piano when he was barely tall enough to reach the foot pedals, so when he heard about the fundraising campaign, he called and offered to help.

“Originally, I had this idea that I’d play some piano pieces, maybe have a vocalist or two onstage to accompany me. Just a small, intimate concert to raise some money,” he says, chuckling. “That changed fast.”

Tyler’s small chamber concert idea burgeoned by leaps and bounds in a dizzyingly short time into a 2-performance extravaganza, complete with VIP night, children’s shows, a music concert, ten piece band and vocalists, a 35-member choir, and some extremely famous animated characters and beloved princesses. He’s not quite sure exactly how it happened, but he’s not complaining.

“It’s really exciting,” he says. “For me as an alumni, I was so touched when I reached out to the school and told them I wanted to be involved. The big thing for us is that we can’t write a check, but what we can do is help raise money and visibility. They were so receptive and excited.”

The concert includes 20 of the most iconic movie songs from the Mouse house, an evening gala with raffles, drinks, and auctions, and a VIP experience with hors d’oeuvres and everyone’s favorite glass-slipper-wearing princess and her prince charming. Tickets are $25 and up for the Children’s Matinee; Gala/VIP tickets are $75 and $125. All proceeds will go towards helping fund the construction of the new facility.

Trinity’s budget for the first phase of the build-out – a 23,000 SQ FT, 700+ seat theatre – came to approximately $13 Million. Originally, the plan was to have the theatre plus classrooms, band rooms, studios, and an art gallery – which ten years ago would have cost about the same amount. Building the entire facility as originally envisioned would cost nearly double that much in 2023, so for now they’re focusing on constructing the theatre to get the ball rolling – with an eye towards eventually completing the fully-realized vision.

“It’s really exciting. For me as an alumni, I was so touched when I reached out to the school and told them I wanted to be involved. The big thing for us is that we can’t write a check, but what we can do is help raise money and visibility. They were so receptive and excited.”

–  Tyler Stentiford, Event Headliner and Trinty Catholic Alumni

The Colangelo Fine Arts Center will be a separate building from the school, with a covered walk connecting them. Later, when more money is raised, Trinity plans to add the long-desired classrooms and studios to create a full-fledged arts campus. The school hopes to raise the remaining $4.8 million they need by the end of 2023 and open the new center by 2024 – which is an ambitious timeline, but Stentiford thinks if anyone can do it, Trinity can.

“This gives the school not only a space for arts education, but also to hold Mass and graduations, Baccalaureat and awards ceremonies. It’s a place the entire student body can gather,” he points out. “So their attitude is, ‘Let’s do this. Let’s make this the best it can be for our students.”

Would you like to read more community spotlight pieces?