October 2020 College News

Corporation selects Te Hill Country 40 Under 40 honoring individuals across all industries who are achieving excellence in innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Marty is an Assistant Professor of Music at Schreiner University in Kerrville. Josue Mora [ 2 ] was recently hired as a woodwind specialist instructor at Schreiner University in Kerrville. Josue also published a website dedicated to woodwind performance and pedagogy. Nicole Richardson was hired as a new Assistant Band Director at Tays Junior High School in Katy ISD. SCHOOL ACCOLADES Texas State University’s School of Music was recently featured in a Texas State Newsroom article featuring their new partnership with Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) to develop virtual collaborations, such as guest lectures, master classes, and joint digital courses to teach music. “Virtual Music Teaching in Art and Academia” is a 12-month project funded by a grant from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Te project is expected to promote skills in various music-related subjects and intercultural exchange between faculty and students. Dr. Nico Schüler, University Distinguished Professor of Music Teory & Musicology, is representing Texas State. Te project will use online platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Moodle and SmartMusic, which is widely used in the U.S. Tere will be synchronous online courses, lectures, and concerts that students in Mainz and San Marcos can access. Progress of the project, as well as the courses, will be documented and made available on a website. Some of the Texas State faculty interested in developing this collaboration with JGU include: Dr. Ian Davidson , Regent’s and University Distinguished Professor of Music; Daris Hale , senior lecturer of bassoon and Fulbright Campus Liaison; Dr. Lynn Ledbetter , professor of violin; Dr. Jason Kwak , professor of piano and director of the Texas State International Piano Festival; Myra Vassian , senior lecturer of voice; Dr. Todd Oxford , associate professor of saxophone; Dr. Richard Novak , assistant professor of voice; Dr. Marc Reynolds , director of Opera Studies; Dr. Vanguel Tangarov , associate professor of clarinet; Dr. Dimitar Ninov , senior lecturer of music theory; and Dr. Alec Scherer , assistant professor of music education. RICH HARNEY’S BALDWIN Dr. Tomas Clark and Hank Hehmsoth worked with Ms. Maria Tompson, executrix for the estate of Austin’s widely respected pianist, composer, and recording artist, Rich Harney (pictured), to receive a donation gift of his Baldwin grand piano to the School of Music. Appraised at over $17,000, the piano is a beautiful addition to the school. Harney passed away suddenly on January 5 at the age of 65. He began making music in Austin in the 1970s and became one of Austin’s most prolifc jazz composer/musicians. Musician Magazine named Harney’s group as one of the “Twelve Best Unsigned Bands Nationwide.” A Rich Harney Collection has been placed in the School of Music Schneider Music Library. [ 3] Hehmsoth will perform Harney’s compositions at the next Jazz Faculty Showcase. College of Fine Arts and Communication | 15