April May 2021 College News

4 Dr. Alec D. Scherer teaching his methods class outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic 5 School of Music student, Erik Gamez 6 Pfuger Elementary Music Teacher and School of Music alumna, Beth Wilson 14 | April & May | College News Dr. Martin McCain , Professor of Trombone, was invited by the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” to be a featured artist at the American Trombone Workshop on April 3rd. McCain led an interactive virtual masterclass on warmup techniques and daily routines which was viewed live by over 1000 trombonists across the globe. On April 17th, Dr. McCain led a virtual masterclass and lecture for Harmony Project Los Angeles and was in residence at the University of Southern California’s Tornton School of Music on April 26th. He was also recently interviewed in A Symphony for Social Justice which is scheduled to be released in 2023 as a part of the Sundance Film Festival produced by Gomez Films. Dr. McCain recently performed as a co-headliner at the Music Teachers National Association Conference with the McCain Duo in addition to being on a panel discussion on diversity in music education. Te McCain Duo were also in residence at the University of Texas at Austin (March 5) and Fayetteville State University (March 17) where they performed a recital and led a post-concert lecture. McCain presented masterclasses at Colorado State University (February 8), the University of Southern Mississippi (February 25), International Trombone Hang (February 27) and the North Texas Low Brass Camp Solo Series (March 20). He was also featured on the Music Terapy podcast, Episode 3, the Chop Shop’s Black Trombone Chronicles, Episode 9 in addition to the American Music Teacher’s Journal. Todd Oxford was recently the adjudicator for the Charleston International Music Competition and for the 7th ENKOR Int’l Winds and Percussion Competition in London. He recieved a Grammy Music Educator Award nomination fromTe Recording Academy and Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. Todd was also the host for the Bobcat Saxophone Studio Alumni Recital and for the Jim Butler: ZOOM Presentation regarding performance career in the United States Air Force Bands. Dr. Alec D. Scherer [4] published “High School Band Directors’ Perceptions and Applications of Democratic Rehearsal Procedures in Concert Band Rehearsals” in volume 39 issue 3 of Update: Applications of Research in Music Education . He was recently part of a research team that recently published “Efects of Preconducting and Conducting Behaviors on Collegiate Musicians’ Evaluations of Conductor Competence” in issue 228 of the Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education . Te article was co-authored with Joshua R. Boyer and Brian A. Silvey of University of Missouri, and Jason P. Cumberledge of University of Louisville. Te article abstract explains the “purpose of this study was to examine the infuence of preconducting and conducting behaviors on perceptions of conductor competence.” Lecturer Jordan Stern’s research article “Correlations between socioeconomic status and scores at a marching band contest” is now available in print and online in the Journal of Band Research . In this study, Stern examined whether a correlation existed between the socioeconomic status (SES) of a school, based on the percentage of students at the school who qualifed for free or reduced-price lunch, and scores received at the Bands of America 2017 San Antonio Super Regional Marching Band Competition. STUDENT ACCOLADES Edgar Blandon was recently hired as Marching Staf at Hays High School. Elise Dickey and Ryan Harris inducted into the College of Fine Arts and Communication Council of Scholars, which honors students who earn the Dean’s List for three consecutive semesters. Erik Gamez hired as Marching Technician at Bowie High School in Austin. [ 5 ] Dark Matter Quartet ( Julio Gonzalez , Rachel Brown , Nicole Soler , Ryan Harris ) performed for the Somos Musicos Departmental Recital. Lauren Gordon recently joined the Board of Directors for Horizon Universal Education LLC, a company dedicated to marching band design and education and was granted admission for Graduate Study at the University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Music and Human Learning. ALUMNI ACCOLADES Nick Conte , Eden Gonzalez , Patrick Atkins , Hector Telles , Crystal Alexander-Duckett , Gilbert Garza , Josue Mora , Joe Martinez , and Tyler Clark performed in a Virtual Alumni Saxophone Recital. Dr. Marty Lenard received the Ph.D. in Music Education from Auburn University. Chris Martinez has been hired as long-term substitute for the Head Band Director position at Bernard Harris Middle School in San Antonio and hired as Assistant Band Director at Fossil Ridge High School in Keller ISD. Samuel Robles received publishing for an arrangement of “Concerto for Saxophone ” by Alexander Glazunov for saxophone quartet. Hays CISD Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright presented the Superintendent’s Coin of Excellence to Pfuger Elementary Music Teacher and School of Music alumna, BethWilson . Wilson, who has taught music at Pfuger since 2013, is a “cornerstone” of the campus, said Pfuger Elementary Assistant Principal Emily Marshall. She lauded Wilson’s ability to generate excitement among Pfuger students as they learned music literacy of all forms this year. In addition, Wilson created more than 300 music videos on Schoology for students. [6] #STUDENTSPOTLIGHT Nicole Soler was nominated by the School of Music to participate in a university recruiting video project. Nicole speaks about her experiences as an undergraduate music major and saxophone studio member. Nicole is the recipient of the Texas State University LGBTQIA Endowed Scholarship from the Alliance at Texas State University and the Texas State LGBTQIA Alumni Chapter. She is also the recipient of the Ralph Harrell Award, the Kyle Stoetzel Memorial Scholarship, and the Dr. Ruben Garza Endowed Scholarship. College of Fine Arts and Communication | 15