January-February_CollegeNews25

16 | January & February | College News College of Fine Arts and Communication | 17 Two trumpet ensembles will compete in the small ensemble division: TXST Gold Trumpet Ensemble ( Diego Camacho , Jose Castillo , Genaro Escalante , Dylan McHorse , Melanie Ricks ) and TXST Maroon Trumpet Ensemble ( Anthony Flores , Kayla Hinton , Kenny Huntsman , Andrew Morales , Landon Van Stroh ). [13], [14] Abraham Cruz will attend the Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS program in Aspen, CO, on full-scholarship under the co-artistic direction of world-renowned soprano Renée Fleming and Houston Grand Opera’s Artistic and Music Director Maestro Patrick Summers. Designed and led by the foremost opera minds of our time, the program offers a uniquely complete training for young singers for a future in the opera industry. Emphases include opera and concert work, focusing on performances at the highest levels, and knowledge of the business, off-stage comportment, finances, contacts, and more. Nolan Hopkins , senior music studies major, is the recipient of the $2,500 Texas Music Educators Association—Student Teacher Scholarship in support of his one-semester student teaching experience. ALUMNI ACCOLADES Nick Conte is a featured educator in a promotional video for Hays CISD. From listening to the beats coming from his parent’s boombox during his childhood, to making his own tunes playing multiple instruments as an adult, Kyle native Nick Conte knew that he was destined for a life dedicated to music. When an opportunity opened up to direct the band at the school named after one of his childhood neighbors, Conte didn’t hesitate to toss his hat in the ring. Two years later, Simon Middle School head band director Nick Conte has guided the Wolverines to new heights, which included overseeing the SMS Wind Ensemble win the school’s first ever Concert and Sightreading sweepstakes trophy. [15] Karlos Elizondo conducted the Bradley Middle School Jazz Band, with guest soloist TXST jazz saxophone faculty member Joel Frahm , and Jeremy Spicer led the Cedar Park Winds at the 2024 Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference. DEPARTMENT ACCOLADES 2025 Texas Music Educators Association Clinic/Convention The Texas Music Educators Association Clinic/Convention annually hosts over 20,000 participants. On the annual TMEA Clinic/Convention program, Texas State University was well represented by faculty, students, and alumni. [16] Faculty Presentations Utah Hamrick , “Teaching Young Jazz Bass Players” ; Joel Frahm , “Simple and Strong: Preparing Melodies that Work for Jazz Improvisation” ; Kyle Glaser , “Better Hands for Better Bands: A Conducting Refresher” ; Alec Scherer , “Conversa- tions on Research and Graduate Education”; John Lopez (ret.), Amanda Soto , “Creating Courses for a Mariachi Concentra Degree” with Michelle Quintero (presider); and Thomas J. Rinn , Posters: “An Exploratory Study of Authentic Sharing in a Professional Facebook Group” and “Perfectionism and Social Comparison Among Texas Choir Directors.” Additional faculty presentations included: John Denis , “A Band Director’s Guide to Beginning Woodwinds,” with Jordan Stern (presider); Billy Gayman , “Trombone Boot Camp: Strategies to Improve Your Trombones”; Jack Wilds , “Unlocking Artistry: Elevating Performance in Young Bands” with Walsh Middle School Honor Band; Caroline Beatty , “An Informal Conver- sation with Texas Band Legends”; John Denis , “New Require- ments for Cooperating Teachers/Field Supervisors” ; and Lynn Ledbetter , “Guiding Your Students as They Prepare for College Auditions.” [17] Invited Performances Three Texas State ensembles were selected to perform at the conference. They were: TXST Clarinet Choir, Vanguel Tanga- rov , conductor; TXST Chorale, Joey M. Martin , conductor; and TXST Symphony Orchestra, Jacob Harrison , conductor, accompanying the All-State Large School Mixed Choir [18] Alumni Presentations Alumni were also well represented. Their presentations includ- ed: Blake Bartosh , “Elementary Music Literacy & Composi- tion Using Flat Education”; Adam Chitta , “Deaf Inclusion in Music: Creating Success for All”; Audrey De La Cruz , “Vocal Technique: Assess, Diagnose, Prescribe & Heal”; Frank De Leon , “Mariachi Voice: The Magic behind the Process”; and Noel Esquivel , “Making the Jump: Management for Aspiring Head Directors” Invited Alumni Performances Alumni selected to have their ensembles perform at the con- vention included: SMU Pigskin Review Ensemble, Charles Aguillon , conductor; and Class 2C Honor Band: Arbor Creek MS Honors Band, Kimberly Beene , conductor. 13 14 TXST Gold Trumpet Ensemble (Diego Camacho, Jose Castillo, Genaro Escalante, Dylan McHorse, Melanie Ricks) TXST Maroon Trumpet Ensemble (Anthony Flores, Kayla Hinton, Kenny Huntsman, Andrew Morales, Landon Van Stroh) 15 Nick Conte led Simon Middle School Wind Ensemble to win the school's first ever Concert and Sightreading sweepstakes trophy 16 Texas State University was represented by faculty, student, and alumni at the Texas Music Educators Association Clinic/ Convention 17 Caroline Beatty (second to left) and the Texas band legends 18 Texas State Chorale in performance