TAMIU and Local Piano Students Receive Honors

Four Texas A&M International University music majors and ten other local piano students received honors from the National Guild of Piano Teachers, Teacher Division of the American College of Musicians. They were honored with membership into the National Fraternity of Student Musicians.

The musicians are all pupils of Dr. Fritz C. Gechter, associate professor of music/piano at TAMIU and ACM member.

“This group of young pianists, ten of whom are in are in secondary school and four of them music majors at TAMIU, performed to critical acclaim in the national piano playing auditions, held at TAMIU. They strove for pledge, local, district, hobbyist, duet, ensemble, state, national, or international honors,” Dr. Gechter explained.

“The ACM evaluated the students performances based upon their presentation of baroque, classic, romantic and modern works. Students performed in the presence of a professional adjudicator chosen by the National organization who examined their repertoire,” Gechter continued.

The students include: Eileen Torrales, Ruben Guadian, Tomás Hinojosa, Jesus Vásquez, Paloma Cigarroa, Auguste Ramos, Christine Ramos, Jacqueline Vuong, Rachelle Soriano, Ray Soriano, Lean Wisner, Connie Trinh, Benjamin Trinh and Caitlin Freeman.

Throughout the U.S. and abroad, more than 100,000 piano pupils participate in the annual auditions, held in more than 880 music centers. Each entrant receives a certificate, a gold, silver or bronze embossed pin, a report card and a year’s membership in the NFSM.

Established in 1929 by Dr. Irl Allison, the first auditions were held at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. For more information on the ACM and Guild auditions, go to pianoguild.com

For more information, please contact Gechter at 326.2639, e-mail fgechter@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts, room 233D.

Summer Session I Classes begin Monday, June 5, 2006.Summer Session II Classes begin Monday, July 10, 2006.

Fall Classes begin Monday, August 28.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu