p a s t . d i r e c t o r s
Top 25 Director/Founders 1965-1995: Mr. & Mrs. H.
THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC!
1965-1995 Director: Theodore H. Hieronymus
The Mentor Top 25 was originated in the fall of 1965 by
Theodore H. Hieronymus
, vocal music director at Mentor High School. The group's name before was Mentor High School Pop
Choir directed by Mr. Frank Henk, the former choir director of the school. Mr. Hieronymus obtained
his BM degree from Heidelberg College and his MA degree in music from Kent State University.
He has also done post graduate work at Case Western Reserve University. Mr. Hieronymus is a member
of Music Educators' National Conference, Ohio Music Educators' Association, American Choral
Directors' Association, and Lake County Music Educators' Association. He is also affiliated with
the Northeastern Chapter of the Phi Delta Kappa.
Mr. Hieronymus has directed numerous festivals,
workshops, the Andrews Choral Summer Workshop and the Northern Ohio Choral Reading Sessions.
He has served as the North East Chairman of the Ohio Chapter of the American Choral Director's
Association, Assistant Director of the Ohio Honor Chorale, North East Chairman for the Ohio All
State Choir, and the American Choral Directors' Association Chairman for Show Choirs. He was past
president of District VII of the Ohio Music Education as well as past president of the Lake County
Music Educators' Association. Mr. Hieronymus was the general chairman for the 1991 Ohio All State
Choir. He presently serves on the board of Wildwood Cultural Center and Mentor Rotary.
From 1967-1992, he served as the director of music ministries at The Mentor United Methodist Church.
In 1997 he retired as choral director of Mentor High School and coordinator of music for the
Mentor Schools. Presently, he is executive director of the
Mentor Performing
Concert Series Foundation which Mr. Hieronymus founded in 1991
Email: Mr. Theodore H. Hieronymus
1965-1995 Choreographer: Jane Hieronymus
Mentor Top 25's show was choreographed by
Jane Hieronymus.
Mrs. Hieronymus staged all the performances for the Top 25 since 1973. While attending Heidelberg
College, Mr. And Mrs. Hieronymus were members of the first Singing Collegians. They toured with the
group for six weeks on a USA tour throughout the North East Theater Command. Mrs. Hieronymus taught
school in the Sandusky Public Schools and Mentor Public Schools. She previously directed numerous
youth choirs at Mentor United Methodist Church and donated her time to the Mentor Schools' Music
Department.
Currently Mrs. Hieronymus is a school guide and a volunteer at The Museum Store at
the Holden Arboretum. The Hieronymus' have three children: Paul, a teacher and coach for the
Avon City Schools; Victoria, a science teacher in the Chicago area; and Bryan, a member of Canton
Symphony. The Hieronymus' are proud grandparents of Christian Hieronymus and Emily Johns. In March
of 2003, Mr. And Mrs. Hieronymus will be honored as Mentor Citizens of the Year by the Mentor Chamber
of Commerce.
Email: Mrs. Jane Hieronymus
1995-1997 Director: Terry DiFranko Herschman
Terry DiFranco Herschman
was the vocal music director at Ridge Junior High School for 18 years. She received her Bachelor
of Music degree from Kent State University in 1977 and Master of Music degree from Kent State in
1987. She is the Treasurer for OMEA District 7, immediate past president and current vice-president
of the Lake County Music Educators Association, and an active adjudicator for OMEA sponsored events.
She is actively involved in restructuring the 7/8/9 curriculum at Ridge.
Email: Terry DiFranko Herschman
1997-2004 Director: Dr. Keith E. Touchton
Top 25 is under the direction of
Dr. Keith E. Touchton
. He received his Bachelor of Music degree
in piano performance from Mississippi College, Clinton, Mississippi in 1982. He received his
Master of Music degree in Church Music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth,
Texas in 1985.
He received his Doctorate from the University of Mississippi, Oxford Mississippi in
1997 in Music Theory Pedagogy where he studied choral conducting under Dr. Jerry Jordan.
He has conducted choirs across the country and his choirs have received top honors in national
and international competitions. He has conducted choirs in Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center and has
conducted Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
Email: Dr. Keith E. Touchton
2004-2010 Director: Laurel Kunes
Laurel Kunes
is a 1979 graduate of Mentor High School and a Top 25 alumnus. She attended Heidelberg College
as a Percussion Major, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. Ms. Kunes earned her Masters
Degree in Science and Education from Lake Erie College, with an additional certification in Supervision.
She has a permanent teaching certification, but continues to take post-graduate studies when she’s not directing,
teaching, or performing with the Mentor music groups. She continues to be an active member in the Ohio Music
Educator's Association, Lake County Music Educator's Association, MENC, MTA, & OEA.
Now, in her 26th year of public school teaching, she continues to reinvest her own Mentor music experiences
while teaching and directing the Mentor Top 25 Show Choir, Shoreline Singers Show Choir, and Shore Concert
Bands.
“It is an honor to have been directing this prestigious, community up- lifting, and quality musical group,
the Mentor High School Top 25. I am very proud of the group and what we have accomplished over the years.
It has been a joy and privilege to share in the journey with so many over the past 6 years.
May you all take with you the many ‘Solid Gold’ musical experiences for a lifetime!”
Email: Laurel Kunes
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