TAMIU Dept. of Fine and Performing Arts Appoints New Orchestra Director
The Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) Department of Fine and Performing Arts in the College of Arts and Science welcomes Dr. Allison Gaines as its newly appointed Orchestra Director and instructional associate professor of Music.
Gaines is a bassist, conductor, educator, occasional cellist and clinician whose career has taken her throughout the continental United States, Europe, and the Caribbean. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in orchestral conducting from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree in bass performance from the University of Southern California (USC).
As she begins her work at TAMIU, Gaines said she is eager to become part of the University community and build upon its artistic traditions.
“I look forward to experiencing the culture of TAMIU and to contributing to its fine legacy,” said Gaines.
For students considering joining the University’s orchestra, Gaines offers some words of encouragement.
“Playing in orchestra is not only fun, but encourages teamwork, good listening skills, time management, and gives us a chance to experience hundreds of years of history and to recreate the great contributions of so many cultures,” Gaines affirmed.
Dr. Fritz C. Gechter, interim chair and associate professor of Music, welcomed Gaines and expressed his enthusiasm for the experience and leadership she will bring to the University’s orchestra program.
“We're very pleased to have Dr. Gaines join our music faculty. She brings outstanding experience as both a conductor and educator, and I know our students will benefit from the knowledge, leadership, and enthusiasm she brings to the orchestra program."
She recently served as music director of the Kearney Symphony Orchestra and tenured associate professor of orchestra and bass for the University of Nebraska. Her academic conducting experience also includes serving as interim director of orchestra at Iowa State University, interim conductor at Rock Valley College in Illinois and orchestra conductor and adjunct faculty member at the College of DuPage, Illinois’ largest community college.
Her professional conducting experience includes 10 years as conductor of Brass Night for the Breckenridge Music Festival in Colorado and service as music director of the Philharmonia Orchestra of Greater Kansas City and the Atchison/Benedictine Symphony in Kansas. She has served as assistant conductor of the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, cover conductor for Orchestra Iowa and guest conductor of the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, Central Iowa Symphony and other professional community, youth and collegiate ensembles.
She has also conducted All-State orchestras, led residencies and served as a clinician and adjudicator in several states.
During her doctoral studies, Gaines received assistantships in orchestra conducting and jazz, studying with British conductor and recording artist Brian Priestman and jazz educator, arranger and composer Dan Gailey. She participated in conducting seminars through the League of American Orchestras, Chorus America, the Conductor’s Institute in South Carolina, where she received a fellowship in opera, and Bard College in New York.
As a bassist, Gaines studied with Los Angeles Philharmonic co-principal bassist Dennis Trembly at USC and received two Orchestral Leadership Awards from conductor Daniel Lewis. Her performance career includes eight years as principal bassist of the Tulsa Philharmonic, a Tanglewood fellowship, an Aspen Music Festival scholarship, performances with the New York String Ensemble and Spoleto Opera Festival in Italy, as well as two summers as co-principal bassist with the National Repertory Orchestra.
She also won a substitute audition with the St. Louis Symphony. She has been a featured soloist with the National Repertory Orchestra, the Tulsa Philharmonic, Breckenridge Music Festival and Rockford Symphony Orchestra.
Gaines has served as a bass clinician for the Chicago Bass Festival, Chicago Youth Symphony and as a cello/bass instructor for Arts Saves Lives in St. Maarten, as well as for K-12 music education associations throughout the Midwest. Her jazz/classical crossover group, Bolling Team/Chamber Jazz, has been featured on music series’ such as the ComEd Digital stage concerts, Mayslake Jazz Series and the Illinois Philharmonic.
For additional information, contact the department of Fine and Performing Arts at 956.326.2654, visit offices in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts, room 217 or visit https://www.tamiu.edu/coas/fpa/.
A proud member of The Texas A&M University System, TAMIU provides a world-class educational experience to students from throughout South Texas, Northern Mexico, and beyond.
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