TAMIU Professor Presents Research in Middle East

Music goes beyond national borders and language barriers. For proof of that, look to Texas A&M International University professor of music education and guitar, Dr. Gilberto D. Soto who recently returned from Qatar where he shared his work on dual language music extension.

Dr. Soto presented various lectures based on his own research and publications on dual language music extension activities at Doha, Qatar in the Middle East in June. He was invited in part by EduServ International, the Qatar Foundation, ROTA International, Best Buddies and Texas A&M University in Doha.

“The presentations in Doha included two-day trainings for dual education leaders from all over the Middle East who will be traveling to Indonesia in October to set up dual language curriculums at rural areas of this country. These presentations were made possible by ROTA International, a non-profit organization that recruits and sends educators from all over the world to set up curriculums at third world countries,” said Soto.

He also presented his work at “World Music Class,” at Texas A&M University in Doha.

Soto ended his “tour” by presenting a music workshop for children with Down syndrome at Best Buddies, a state of the art special education facility sponsored by the Qatar Foundation. The children played various instruments along to songs from Soto’s books.

“It was an honor to be invited to present overseas and to learn so much about the Middle Eastern culture, and at the same time to exchange research and publications using bilingual music activities in a dual language curriculum. I am very appreciative that dual educators from Doha had chosen me to visit such amazing country, and I look forward to continue to exchange research, publication’s information and at the same time learn about their ESL/ELL methods used in countries such Qatar or Lebanon,” said Dr. Soto.”

Soto has served as music arranger for and written and co-authored several bilingual music education books and has contributed numerous music education articles for “Southwestern Musician” and “Music Express.”

Soto holds a BA in Education from the Universidad Autónoma del Noreste, BA in Music from Abilene Christian University, and a M.M. and Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Southern Mississippi.

For more information, contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 956.326.2180, visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 268 or e-mail prmis@tamiu.edu.

Information is also available on the University’s website, tamiu.edu, Facebook and Twitter.

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