UT Tyler School of Performing Arts Accredited for Excellence!

Being a music major here at The University of Texas at Tyler is not always easy. But if you work hard, your hard work will always pay off! The School of Performing arts here at the university was very recently accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, otherwise known as NASM.

How I reacted to being accredited!

This is something that we have been trying to do for a while now. This just goes to prove that if you put your best work into something, it will always turn into something beautiful, whether that be school, art, or just living out your everyday life in general.

With that being said, I must inform you all that I will no longer be working here in the call center any longer. No worries though! It's for the best. Now I will have more time to put in my whole effort into my music! Time to make progress, not excuses!

We will keep putting on concerts for all of you guys, and I hope that you guys make it to a few! Here's a list of what's coming up soon!

Patriot Singers/University Chorale 

Saturday, March 1st @ 7:30 pm

First Presbyterian Church

Saturday, May 3 @ 6:00 pm

First Presbyterian Church

UT Tyler Wind  Ensemble

Thursday, March 6th @ 7:30 pm

Vaughn Auditorium

Thursday, May 1st @ 7:30 pm

Vaughn Auditorium

Jazz Ensembles

Thursday, February 27th @ 7:30 pm

UC Theatre

Thursday, April 17th @ 7:30 pm

UC Theatre

You can check out and see what's going on at the Cowan Center here!

I'm really going to miss writing for you guys! I'm actually thinking about starting a YouTube comedy blog sometime in the future, so be sure to keep an eye out on it! Remember, as long as you strive for the highest, you will earn excellence. AEA.

 If any of you guys are interested in performing with the UT Tyler Wind Ensemble, or any ensemble for that matter, contact the Performing Arts office at 903.566.7450! Come audition and join us! WE WANT YOU!

Braithwaite Recital Hall

For more information about the UT Tyler music program, visit http://www.uttyler.edu/academics/undergraduate-majors/music-bm-degree.php..

"I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul."

Spring Wind Ensemble concert!

       It's starting to turn into Spring here at UT Tyler! Spring is my favorite season of the year, because the weather is perfect (mostly). It is Texas after all, so the weather can be quite unpredictable. A lot of great things also happen during the spring season, including band concerts!
       In high school, spring was referred to as "concert season". That means that you perform concert music on a stage in front of people, rather than marching on a football field. In college, you are able to perform in concerts no matter which season it is!
       In fact, the UT Tyler Wind Ensemble is putting on our first concert of the 2013 spring semester tomorrow night! This is the first time I'll be playing clarinet for an actual concert, and I'm beginning to feel very nervous. I feel kind of unprepared, but I think that it's because this is the first time I'm playing in a college band.
       The music that we're going to play is much more difficult than the music I played in high school. I feel very honored to play with all of these talented people. Everyone in the ensemble takes the music very seriously, but they are also some of the nicest/coolest people that I 've met in college!
       If you're interested in going to watch the concert, it will take place this Thursday, March the 7th at 7:30 pm. The concert will go down in the Cowan Center Auditorium. I hope you guys can make it!

       Have any of you guys ever played in a band or choir? Leave me a comment below telling us about your musical experiences!

An Evening of Jazz at UT Tyler

       Last Thursday night at 7:30, the UT Tyler Jazz Ensemble had their very first concert of the Spring semester! It was held in the UC Theater, as usual. I went to their first concert with Kat last semester, and was blown away. So, I decided that I would once again go see what they have prepared for us this time.
       First the UT Tyler Jazz Patriots played. There were only about 9 players, but when they performed they sounded like a lot more people were playing.
       For a couple songs, Susie Carter sang the lyrics. I know Susie from wind ensemble, but I never knew that she could sing. And dang, she can sing. I was very impressed with her singing and how the Jazz Patriots played!
       Next, the UT Tyler Jazz Ensemble played their pieces for the night. There were quite a few more players for this ensemble, and it was set up like a "Big Band" which is like how bands were set up in the 40's. The pieces that the Jazz Ensemble played were very complicated and fun to listen to! If I could play any of the 'jazz instruments', I would've loved to  be a part of the ensemble.

       Overall, I really enjoyed the time I spent watching the jazz ensemble. I was very impressed at how well they all could play, and improvise, their music. One of my favorite pieces was called "When Sunny Gets Blue", by Marvin Fisher and Jack Segal. It takes a lot of talent and practice to be able to perform the way they did. +1,864,279 bonus kudos points!  Their next concert for the semester will be on Thursday, April 18th at 7:30p.m. It will be in the UC Theater, just like the past concert was. I'll most likely be there, so I hope you all get to make it!

       Also, next Thursday night at 7:30 (March 7th), the UT Tyler Wind Ensemble will have their first concert of the semester! It will take place in the Vaughn Auditorium, which is in the Cowan Center here on campus. As many of you already know, I play clarinet in the wind ensemble, so I will be playing at this concert. Come and support us next Thursday night! Hope to see you all there!

       Did any of you guys go to the Jazz Ensemble concert too? Leave a comment below and tell us what you  thought about it!

Jazz It Up

I LOVE music. I can't make it through one day without listening to music for at least 3 hours throughout that day.

This is why I was very interested when I saw the announcement that The University of Texas at Tyler's Jazz Patriots, one of the 4 instrumental ensembles, had a performance THIS Tuesday! Just so there's no confusion, the performance will take place on Tuesday October 2, at 7:30 pm, in the University Center theater! 

As a fellow instrumental player, (see pictures below), I appreciate the hard work and time that these musicians have put into the upcoming performance, and I am so glad to have the opportunity to attend!

This is short-haired Kat playing the bass clarinet! 

See what I mean? I'm kind of a band nerd. :)

Although the clarinet is not a particularly jazzy instrument, I have always enjoyed jazz music. At the upcoming UT Tyler performance, guest artist J. T. Pundt will join the students on trumpet! You can read more about Pundt here.








So, needless to say, I am looking forward to event! I hope to see you there!