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."

Tempted by the Temptations of the Muses!

Oh my goodness. Tickets went on sale October 14 for The Ahn Trio and Nai Ni Chen Dance Company, and they will here at The University of Texas at Tyler in a little over a month. I am so excited right now I can barely breathe. I think I made little squeaky duck sounds for a few minutes. I can always blame it on Mr. Quackers, the rubber duck assistant that was on my desk since before I started working here. He is my friend now and we are going for soft tacos later. Maybe I will take him to go see the recital with me! He would love it! 

Nothing solidifies a friendship like Mexican cuisine *sniffles*

Patriot Performances at the Cowan Center

With the new semester well under way, new faces everywhere, and new friends being made, there are new opportunities to find exciting things to go and do. One of the places that has captured my attention is the Cowan Center.

In high school, I was in drill team, and I felt my best when dancing and cheering at pep rallies and dancing on stage. There’s just something about the costumes and the chance to perform that just kick-starts my heart! I guess my personal style icon Marilyn Monroe said it best: “some girls are just born with glitter in their veins.” 

Norma Jeane Mortenson <3

The Cowan Center is by far one of my favorite places on campus. Lots of practice rooms, couches, pianos, nice places to study- I could go on all day. Not to mention there have been so many famous people inside of it. The world famous Blue Man Group came to Tyler recently. (You can see the vlog Emmy did about them, here) There’s just something about being around so much professional and student talent. It’s inspirational, I just know 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! 

Music + Me = LOVE

I finally enrolled into, and am now a part of the  UT Tyler Percussion Ensemble! I’m really glad I decided to add that course, because lets be honest, I can’t even go one semester without playing any kind of music. Music is what makes me feel happy when I feel lonely or sad or bored. If music didn’t exist, I would live in a constant state of boredom! Anyone who knows me knows that if I’m listening to music, I’m deep in thought, and don’t want to be bothered. But does that stop them? Haha, nope. But I feel like music is where my true passion and talent lies. Now don’t get me wrong, I do happen to be good at a lot of things, music just happens to be my favorite of them! Like I’ve probably said before, I’ve been playing instruments since I was in the fourth grade. In high school, I was on the drumline which, of course, was the most interesting part to play, and shall I say the most fun? Yes, and it was totally worth all of the sweat, hard work, and early morning practices.

      When concert season approached, I pretty much decided to stick to playing the marimba, unless it was a Sousa march, then I wanted to play bass. For those of you who don’t know who John Philip Sousa was, he was the man who wrote the Washington Post March, along with many many other famous marches. I’d say he is for sure one of the most famous music writers for concert band that there is in America! Anyways, if I could chose to do anything in the world at all, anything, then I would without a doubt play music in a symphony or something like that. But I’m nowhere near that level of skill when it comes to playing music, but I’d like to get there someday. Or maybe even compose music like the famous Michael Giacchino!

I’m very excited, needless to say, about what the upcoming semester has to offer me. I do have high expectations, and I will succeed at all costs. When I go to practice next week with the rest of the percussionists for the first time, I’m pretty sure I’m going to be really nervous. I’m excited to see what comes up for me next, and I’ll be sure to welcome it with open arms!