TWU Flute Choir Performs at the 39th National Flute Association Convention
The TWU Flute Choir has been invited to perform a showcase concert on Friday, August 12, 2011 at the 39th National Flute Association annual convention (August 11-14) in Charlotte, North Carolina. The group was selected from a record number of entries. This concert follows their widely acclaimed performance at the New York City convention in 2009. The concert will be on Friday morning, August 12 at 11 a.m. in Convention Center 218-219.
Graduate pedagogy major Cassy Hewett was a winner in the Professional Flute Choir competition for the National Flute Association 29th annual 
convention to be held in Charlotte, North Carolina, August 11-14. The Professional Flute Choir has several convention performances this year, including their featured concert on Sunday morning, August 14, at 10:00 a.m. in Convention Center 218-219.
Flute professor and department chair Pamela Youngblood and TWU pianist Gabriel Bita will be featured at the Charlotte National Flute Association convention this August. They will perform Bruce Stark’s American Suite on a program of Music of the Americas on Friday, August 12, at 9:00 am in Convention Center Ballroom A/D.
.
Professor Angela Winter Joins TWU Full-Time Faculty
Professor Angela Winter, who has been our adjunct Horn teacher, will be joining us as visiting assistant professor for the 2011-12 school year. She is a certified Texas music educator and has extensive experience both as a band director, as well as a horn instructor in school districts throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Professor Winter will be teaching music education courses, music appreciation, and will be the director of the Pep Band and the String Ensemble. A highly-regarded Horn player, she has performed with a number of symphony orchestras and is completing her doctorate in horn performance at The University of North Texas.Bass Fellowship Award Recipient 2011-2012
Ashley Delaney, a TWU graduate student pursuing a Masters degree in Music Education, is the 2011-2012 Perry R. Bass Fellowship recipient.This award, which includes a $5,000 stipend, is given annually to graduate students pursuing degrees in music education. The fellowship began in 2007 in memory of Perry R. Bass, who donated millions to local museums and toward the creation of the Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth.
Perry R. Bass (1914-2006) was recognized locally and across the country for his success and leadership in business; for his contributions to his community, state and country; and for his generosity in philanthropy. Support of education and scholarship programs was of foremost interest to him.
Performing Arts Fort Worth, Inc. is a Texas not-for-profit corporation established in 1992 to fund, build and operate the Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall, which opened in 1998 in downtown Fort Worth. Bass Hall serves four classical resident companies, presents a diversity of entertainment fare and hosts the Children’s Education Program, which presents specially produced, curriculum-related education programs to more than 70,000 students each year. For more information, visit www.basshall.com
TMEA Scholarship Recipient
Kimberly Forguson, a TWU music education major, is the recipient of a $2,000 TMEA Student Teaching Scholarship. Kim maintains a 4.0 gradepoint average and is currently student teaching with Ms. Cecile Johnson at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School. She will be working with the orchestral program at Navo Middle School during the second half of the semester.
Virginia Chandler Dykes Scholarship Winners
 Ashley Delaney |
 Brett Koltuniak |
TWU graduate music students Ashley Delaney and Brett Koltuniak have each been awarded a prestigious 2010 College of Arts & Sciences Virginia Chandler Dykes Scholarship in the amount of $2,000. Ms. Delaney is pursuing a Master of Arts in Music degree with an emphasis in music education, and Mr. Koltuniak is pursuing a Master of Arts in Music degree with an emphasis in music therapy. The awards are made in recognition of outstanding academic work, leadership, and community service, and in recognition of the work of Virginia Chandler Dykes, a health care provider whose professional and civic achievements represent a lifetime commitment to helping others.
Jen Spivey Receives Prestigious New Award
TWU music therapy student Jen Spivey is one of only two students in the U.S. and only six worldwide to receive the first World Federation of Music Therapy's World Congress Scholarship for Students Award. Ms. Spivey states: “At the 2011 World Congress of Music Therapy, I hope to learn more about combining my music therapy education with cultural practices while immersed in another culture. I look forward to broadening my current knowledge of global music therapy practice by engaging in conference activities and discussions with peers from other regions. Attending the World Congress will enable me to define my professional objectives. In addition, I hope to leave the congress with a greater understanding of how to contribute to global efforts.”
TWU Music Student Receives Bass Fellowship Award
Jesse Woolery of Denton, a Texas Woman’s University Master of Arts in Music student with an emphasis in music education, is a 2010-2011 Perry R. Bass Fellowship recipient.
This award, which includes a $2,500 stipend, is given annually to graduate students pursuing degrees in music with career aspirations in teaching. The fellowship began in 2007 in memory of Perry R. Bass, who donated millions to local museums and toward the creation of the Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth.
The fellowship is open to students who have completed at least one semester toward a master’s or doctoral degree at Texas Christian University, Texas Woman’s University, the University of North Texas or the University of Texas at Arlington.
Mr. Woolery has served as Assistant Band Director and the Director of Jazz Bands at Denton High School since 2007. Under his leadership, the jazz band has grown from 4 members to a current membership of over 40. During 2010, the group performed at Texas Music Educators Association, went on its first tour, playing in Kansas and Missouri, and has won a number of awards at jazz band festivals.
"Although Jesse teaches a predominantly underprivileged population, he is able to take students who cannot afford private lessons or high-quality instruments and teach them to become incredible musicians," said Dr. Vicki Baker, TWU Coordinator of Music Education. "When Jesse stands before his band, he addresses his students with a level of respect that inspires them to be confident and feel accomplished, regardless of their disabilities or socioeconomic status."
In addition to being a fine conductor, Mr. Woolery is a skilled bassoonist, and is in great demand as both a performer and clinician.
Perry R. Bass (1914-2006) was recognized locally and across the country for his success and leadership in business; for his contributions to his community, state and country; and for his generosity in philanthropy. Support of education and scholarship programs was of foremost interest to him.
Performing Arts Fort Worth, Inc. is a Texas not-for-profit corporation established in 1992 to fund, build and operate the Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall, which opened in 1998 in downtown Fort Worth. Bass Hall serves four classical resident companies, presents a diversity of entertainment fare and hosts the Children’s Education Program, which presents specially produced, curriculum-related education programs to more than 70,000 students each year. For more information, visit www.basshall.com.
TWU Music Education Major Wins COPE Award
Kristin Littrell received the TWU College of Professional Education Outstanding Student Teaching/Intern Award for 2009-2010 at an Awards Ceremony held on April 22, 2010.
Two weeks prior to the beginning of school, Ms. Littrell was assigned to an internship position in which she would be responsible for teaching choir on two campuses to students Grades 6 – 12. By the end of one semester, the choirs had acquired uniforms, risers, and acoustical shells. Previously, students in the district’s choral program had only performed show choir music with CD accompaniments. Students began to read music, sing with appropriate technique, and perform music from various historical periods in a variety of languages.
It took a great deal of courage for Ms. Littrell to enter an established program and make the requisite changes to transform the choral classroom into a place of learning and instruction. She faced opposition, but she remained professional and focused on her educational goals.
As a result of her ability to connect with students, her fine teaching skills, and her resolve to train the students appropriately, she took her high school choir to a competition in Oklahoma in September, 2009 and they received a trophy for Outstanding Choir in their division. For the first time, choirs at the middle school and high school attended the Texas University Interscholastic League Concert and Sight Reading Contest and they received Superior Ratings, including a Sweepstakes Trophy, the highest honor bestowed upon a choir in that contest. In addition, she produced the high school’s very first musical, Godspell.
Ms. Littrell served as President of the TWU Music Educators National Conference Chapter during the 2008-2009 school year. Her maturity, dedication, vision, strong sense of responsibility, and commitment to the organization resulted in the chapter receiving two awards under her leadership.
Kristin Littrell received the TWU College of Professional Education Outstanding Student Teaching/Intern Award for 2009-2010 at an Awards Ceremony held on April 22, 2010.
Two weeks prior to the beginning of school, Ms. Littrell was assigned to an internship position in which she would be responsible for teaching choir on two campuses to students Grades 6 – 12. By the end of one semester, the choirs had acquired uniforms, risers, and acoustical shells. Previously, students in the district’s choral program had only performed show choir music with CD accompaniments. Students began to read music, sing with appropriate technique, and perform music from various historical periods in a variety of languages.
It took a great deal of courage for Ms. Littrell to enter an established program and make the requisite changes to transform the choral classroom into a place of learning and instruction. She faced opposition, but she remained professional and focused on her educational goals.
As a result of her ability to connect with students, her fine teaching skills, and her resolve to train the students appropriately, she took her high school choir to a competition in Oklahoma in September, 2009 and they received a trophy for Outstanding Choir in their division. For the first time, choirs at the middle school and high school attended the Texas University Interscholastic League Concert and Sight Reading Contest and they received Superior Ratings, including a Sweepstakes Trophy, the highest honor bestowed upon a choir in that contest. In addition, she produced the high school’s very first musical, Godspell.
Ms. Littrell served as President of the TWU Music Educators National Conference Chapter during the 2008-2009 school year. Her maturity, dedication, vision, strong sense of responsibility, and commitment to the organization resulted in the chapter receiving two awards under her leadership.
National Association of Teachers of Singing auditions at TWU
TWU hosted the DFW chapter auditions of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) on Friday and Saturday, April 8 and 9, 2011. Congratulations to TWU student participants who performed extremely well at the auditions. Winners and finalists included TWU’s Maria Mena Hernandez, winner of both the senior female classical division and female music theater division as well as winner of the Ann Weeks award for top music theater performer; Mandy Sroufe, winner of the graduate female classical division and finalist, female music theater division; Chelsea Cunningham, winner, junior female classical division and winner of the Betty Utter award for top classical performer; Abigail Tusant, winner, advanced division; and Diana Fernandez, finalist, junior female classical division.
Second Annual Pioneer Honor Band clinic and concert, featuring special guest Mr. Ray Lashaway
The 2nd annual TWU Pioneer Honor Band clinic and concert was held on Friday and Saturday, March 25 and 26, 2011 in TWU’s music building and Margo Jones Performance Hall. Over 100 high school band students took part, from Archer City, Boles, Electra, Grandview, James Bowie, Martin’s Mill, Maud, Millsap, Olney, Rising Star, and Windthorst schools. TWU music faculty, graduate students, and guest clinicians led master classes and rehearsals, and the event culminated with concert performances by the Pioneer Concert Band, conducted by TWU’s Dr. Garry Evans, and Pioneer Symphonic Band, conducted by special guest Mr. Ray Lashaway. Superb logistical support was provided by TWU’s student organization, the Pioneer Music Educators Association, supervised by Dr. Vicki Baker, Coordinator of Music Education. Mr. Ray Lashaway retired from teaching in 2008 after 39 years as a band teacher. He retired from the Frenship ISD band staff as the woodwind specialist for all bands. He graduated from Texas Tech University in 1964. His bands received numerous awards in district competitions and placed high in UIL events as well.
Brave Combo featured on 17th annual Monster Flute Choir Concert
Denton-based, Grammy-winning Brave Combo joined the combined forces of the TWU and Brookhaven College Flute Choirs at the 17th annual Monster Flute Choir Concert on Tuesday, November, 2, 2010, in Margo Jones Performance Hall. The concert lived up to its billing as a "rollicking, rocking, rhythmic global journey" of blended musical styles with the "classical" traditions of flute choir joining with the electic and electrifying stylings of Brave Combo. Jeffrey Barnes, Brave Combo woodwind specialist, joined the 30 flutists of the combined flute choir for an opening segment featuring jazz charts from the Los Angeles Flute Orchestra. Then Brave Combo was featured in their own set, and the event culminated with a “symphony-style” pops concert as the flute choir accompanied the band on several selections from their recent CD Symphonic Polkas.
page last updated 4/17/2012 6:02 PM