A Turpin High School graduate is coming home to premiere an original string quartet he composed for the school's 50th anniversary.
Aadhivan Ramkumar, a 2020 Turpin graduate who goes by Aadhi, wrote "Golden Jubilee" as a gift to the school where he played orchestra all four years. The piece gets its first public performance Friday, Sept. 25, at the 50th Anniversary Kickoff Event in the Turpin cafeteria from 5 to 6 p.m.
"As a trained musician, it was hard for me to think of a better way to give back to Turpin High School than through the gift of music," Ramkumar said, according to the Forest Hills School District.
Ramkumar started playing in Lynn Poffenberger's orchestra class at Sherwood Elementary School 15 years ago. He earned a bachelor of arts from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in 2024 and a master of music in composition from the University of Miami Frost School of Music in May 2026.
He said calling the connection with Poffenberger meaningful would be "a grave understatement" and that he does not think he would be where he is without her help.
Four current Turpin students will perform the piece.
Kathryn Dillman plays first violin, Olivia Anderson second violin, Miyla Dunkle viola and Nicholas Giglio cello.
On Thursday, Sept. 24, Ramkumar is scheduled to deliver a guest lecture to current Turpin orchestra students, covering his background and offering a lesson on composition.
What else is happening at the kickoff
The Friday event marks the start of a yearlong celebration for the school, which opened Aug. 22, 1976. According to the school's anniversary page, the kickoff will include school tours starting at 5, 5:15, 5:30 and 5:45 p.m.
Student performances by the choir, marching band and orchestra are also on the schedule. Attendees can browse memorabilia displays, spin a prize wheel, grab 1970s-themed snacks made by students and pick up a limited-edition anniversary t-shirt available only that day. A projection mapping display rounds out the festivities.
After the kickoff, a homecoming football game begins at 7 p.m. Around 6:42 p.m., the school plans to introduce its three most recent principals and invite graduates from each decade to stand and be recognized.
A second performance of "Golden Jubilee" is scheduled for the Turpin orchestra concert Tuesday, Oct. 13, in the auditorium. That performance will add Paul West, described by the district as a longtime Turpin orchestra director who helped open the school in 1976.
Upcoming events
- Friday, Sept. 25 — 50th Anniversary Kickoff Event, 5–6 p.m., Turpin High School cafeteria
- Friday, Sept. 25 — Homecoming football game, 7 p.m., Turpin High School
- Tuesday, Oct. 13 — Turpin orchestra concert featuring "Golden Jubilee," Turpin High School auditorium
