January & February 2019 College News

1 Todd Oxford performing at the TMEA Convention where he served as Artist/Exhibitor for Eastman Saxophones 2 Dr. Martin McCain and music students, Ramiro Cortez, Jett Walker, and Steven Vogel, at a recent concert 3 Count Basie Orchestra performing in Evans Auditorium as part of the Hill Country Festival (Photo Credit: Erik Fossum, Fossum Studios) 12 | January & February | College News MUSIC Music, Music Studies, Per formance, & Sound Recording Technolog y FACULTY ACCOLADES Conspirare, Austin’s nationally celebrated choir, received a 2019 Medal of Arts honor from the Texas Cultural Trust Feb. 26-27 at events that culminate in a gala ceremony at the Long Center for the Performing Arts. Broadway legend Jennifer Holliday, innovative singer-songwriter Boz Scaggs, and actor Matthew Mcconaughey were also honored. Conspirare did a national tour of Considering Matthew Shepard , written and conducted by Texas State Artist in Residence Craig Hella Johnson , and including Texas State faculty Ames Asbell and Vanguel Tangarov . Te tour culminated with performances on PBS and at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. Te concert was hailed as one of the ten best of 2018 by the Chicago Tribune . Saxophone professor Todd Oxford continues a whirlwind of professional activities: • Nominee for Grammy Music Educator Award • Adjudicator for MTNA South Central Division Solo and Chamber Competition, Houston • Adjudicator for Baylor University School of Music Concerto Competition • Adjudicator for ENKOR International Chamber Music Competition, London • Duo 35 Texas Tour: Coppell HS, Tarleton State University, Texas Music Educators Association Convention – San Antonio. • World Premiere of Tomas Clark’s String Teory with the Grandiose Quintet, and solo performance of Richard Hall’s Desert Waves, Wilderness of Water, both on the January 29 Stars At Night Faculty Showcase at TXST • Performing Artist/Exhibitor for Eastman Saxophones at TMEA Convention [ 1 ] Dr. Martin McCain was featured on the Trombone 101’s “An Artist’s Corner” website along with other prominent brass performers and pedagogues around the world. McCain performed on the national tours for the 4U: A Symphonic Celebration of Prince concert in San