Fine Arts Programs

E4 | Sunday, March 15, 2020 | ExpressNews.com | Laredo Morning Times 50th Anniversary cal folk culture with ballet character- istics — pointed toes, exaggerated movements, highly choreographed arrangements. “We are not competing, we are just sharing dance as an art form,” Ahn said. For music-lovers hoping to find great and new voice or instrumental talent, TAMIU has a variety of ensem- bles. These include: • Symphonic Band • Chamber Orchestra • Mariachi Internacional • Guitar Ensemble • Percussion Ensemble • Jazz Band — Regardless of art choice, TAMIU provides students opportunities to gain experience through perfor- mances or exhibits. For theater and dance majors, the university has the Sam Johnson Experimental Theater and a 400-seat theater. An art gal- lery is available for painters, photog- raphers and any visual art artist to showcase their work. For musicians, an 800-seat recital hall is available for ensemble concerts. Musical performances and con- certs are spread throughout the year where community members can experience a change of pace from the usual sounds of the radio for an hour or two of classical music by guest performers or the TAMIU mu- sic groups. According to Campbell, the ma- riachi is a strong tradition in the bor- der regions, and TAMIU’s mariachi program is different from other mu- sic programs across the nation. TAMIU previously announced its sixth-annual International Mariachi Festival on April 23-25. According to the Smithsonian Folk Ways, Mariachi is a sound with rhythms rooted in colonial Mexico from 1519-1810. What we hear today emerged from ranches and small towns in Mexico —more specifically in Jalisco, Michoacán, Nayarit, Co- lima and Aguascalientes. The Smithsonian also states that the southwestern region of the na- tion is home to thousands of Maria- chi musicians and where hundreds of schools have mariachi programs for their students. With practice, these programs perform in music halls, school festivals and competi- tions throughout the years. According to TAMIU, the festi- val will feature the famed Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán and Mariachi Nue- vo Tecalitlán Femenil, TAMIU Artists in Residence. It will include two-days of Nuevo Tecalitlán-led workshops for some 600-plus high school age mariachi musicians from across the state, and it culminates in a concert featuring the artists and students. TAMIU offers a dedicated faculty and professional environment for students in order to provide the best education possible and to expand on a student’s skill in their instrument of choice. This semester will be the first ac- creditation visit by the National As- sociation of School of Music, which are the accrediting body for all col- lege music programs. Approximately 700 music pro- grams in the country are members, which include the bigger A&M uni- versities like West Texas State, Kings- ville, Corpus and Commerce. Moyer said that being a younger school and receiving accreditation will be a challenge, but the process will be a learning experience and will result in improvements. If the accreditation is success- ful, becoming a member will make the TAMIU music program stronger and more appealing to local and re- gional music teachers and students. This will help with the recruitment process, which is essential in attract- ing students to the university. It will also put TAMIU on par with the ma- jor Texas universities being only 50 years old. “For us, that’s the next step,”Moy- er said. According to TAMIU, some program highlights are: • Music Scholarships available for music majors and minors • 800 seat Recital Hall • 450 seat Theatre • An “All Steinway School” (pia- no majors) • Complete collection of high- quality wind, percussion and string instruments for use • Soundproof practice rooms • 24-station iMac Computer lab • Yamaha Clavinova 14-seat Piano Lab • 69 rank Sharkey Corrigan Pipe organ built by the Kegg Organ Company The Sharkey Corrigan Organ According to the history of the recital hall, former president Dr. Ray Keck dreamed of outfitting the hall with a pipe organ. In 2006, his dream came true when the E.H. Corrigan Foundation gifted TAMIU with a Sharkey Corrigan Organ. Guest performers are occasional- ly invited to perform. One such guest was David Briggs, a concert organ- ist and composer, who said he had wanted to become an organist since he was 6 years old. According to Briggs, he holds over 60 concerts a year in over sev- eral continents and teaches at Cam- bridge giving masterclasses in both the U.S. and Europe. He is also a com- Spring Dance concert performers