South Texas Brass Symposium

On Friday and Saturday, November 6th and 7th the inaugural South Texas Brass Symposium was held at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas.

 

Twenty different events were held over the course of two days including masterclasses, clinics, performances and an exhibitor room. Headlining guest artists included Jim Thompson, trumpet professor at the Eastman School of Music and Jim Markey, bass trombonist with the Boston Symphony. Thompson and Markey each presented a masterclass Friday afternoon and a joint recital Saturday evening. 

Other professional musicians and brass professionals from the South Texas region participated as guest artists including Jeff Garza, principal horn of the San Antonio Symphony, Dr. Kyle Millsap trumpet professor from Texas A&M Kingsville, Dr. William Osinski music professor from Laredo Community College, Dr. Mary Thornton trumpet professor from Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Dr. Rai Morales trombone professor from Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Dr. Benjamin Coy brass professor from South Texas College and Dr. Matthew Hightower tuba professor form Texas A&M Kingsville.  Dr. Thornton and Dr. Coy presented clinics on Tone production and mouthpiece buzzing respectively, and all guest artists collaborated on a solo showcase recital.

Nearly 100 participants from the region attended the symposium including college students, high school students, and members of the community.  Student ensembles from area colleges and universities also presented a recital and had an opportunity to try out instruments and work with the guest artists. The symposium was coordinated by the brass faculty of Del Mar College which include Dr. Scott Hagarty, trumpet, Karl Kemm, horn and Dr. Donald Pinson, trombone.  They also comprise the Del Mar College Faculty Brass Trio who presented a full recital on Friday evening as well as clinics on the Texas high school All-State etudes on Saturday morning.  Thank you to the Del Mar College Cultural Programs Committee and the music department for sponsoring the event, as well as the Edwards and Yamaha corporations for sponsoring the travel for the headlining guest artists.

 

 


Source: Dr. Scott Hagarty, associate professor of trumpet and music theory, Del Mar College, Corpus Christi, Texas

Pictured: Jim Thompson and trumpet master class participants, Jim Markey and master class participants

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