September 2023 College News

Ades Voice Competition. [11] Two Texas State graduates orchestra programs have been selected to perform at the 77th Annual Midwest International Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago. Midwest draws approximately 20,000 attendees from all fifty US States and forty countries each year, making it the largest event of its kind in the world. This year, one-third of the high school string orchestras selected to perform at Midwest are led by Texas State University graduates. Jason Thibodeaux (Churchill HS in North East ISD in San Antonio), and Matthew Moreno (Jasper HS in Plano ISD) will travel to Chicago with their students in December. They will perform in front of audiences comprised of music educators, publishers, artists, and people from all aspects of the music industry. Bobcats make outstanding music educators, and we are proud to see our alumni receiving this recognition for their fine work. [12] Pedro Valdez returns to the Northern Lights Music Festival, where he will sing the role of Rodolfo in their 2023 production of Puccini’s La bohème . He has had other leading and supporting roles in young artist/apprentice programs: The Marraige of Figaro (2023), Finger Lakes Opera (2023), Madison Opera Studio Artist (2022-2023), Sarasota Opera (2022), and Northern Lights Music Festival (2021). College of Fine Arts and Communication | 23 Pedro Valdez is gaining attention for his effortless lyrical range. He graduated from Texas State University with his Masters in Music Vocal Performance and from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with Bachelor degree in Music. Pedro is currently in the Madison Opera’s Studio program, where he is scheduled to sing the role of Don Curzio in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro . Pedro was also in the apprenticeship program with Northern Lights Music Festival in 2021, where he sang the role of Don Ramiro in Rossini’s La cenerentola . Pedro’s other roles are Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi , Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni , Alberto in La Curandera , First Sailor in Dido and Æneas , and Tamino in Die Zauberflöte . MUSIC SPOTL IGHT