ensembles

The Music Department offers ensemble participation to all university students. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A MUSIC major to participate in the musical groups. The major ensembles are Band, Choir, Orchestra, and Guitar Ensemble. Additionally, students are encouraged to participate in the smaller ensembles: Jazz Band, Mariachi, Opera Workshop, Men's and Women's Choruses, Brass Ensemble, Salsa Band, Pep Band, Drum Line, Percussion Ensemble, Saxophone Ensemble, Trombone Quartets, Trombone Choir, Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble, Woodwind Ensemble and String Quartets.

All full time music majors must participate in the major ensemble of their concentration: wind and
percussion - Band; voice and piano - Choir; strings - Orchestra; and guitar - Guitar Ensemble. Pianists and others who play appropriate instruments with sufficient proficiency may use Band or Orchestra for their ensemble requirement. Scholarships are available to select students by audition who wish to perform in the ensembles.

Instrumental

ENSEMBLES

Guitar Ensemble
Guitar ensemble presents one concert each semester and smaller guitar groups participate in numerous programs throughout the Valley.The ensemble works closely with the South Texas Guitar Society.

Director: Dr.Kurt Martinez
Email:kjmartinez@utpa.edu
Office Phone:956-

Saxophone Ensemble
The UTPA Saxophone Ensemble consists of soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone voices of the saxophone family. Aside from the large ensemble, trios and quartets are organized for community and university performances.

The Saxophone Ensemble performs a wide variety of music including ragtime, jazz, and classical themes. Apart from the woodwind and lab recitals at the university, other community performances include the Garden Gala, Art Walk, and local high schools. This ensemble is open to music majors and non-music majors.

Director: Dr.Cynthia Cripps
Email:ccripps@utpa.edu
Office Phone:956-381-3474

Brass Ensemble
The Brass Ensemble consists of trumpet, French horn, euphonium, trombone, and tuba players. The ensemble performs 1-2 concerts every semester, at special events on and off campus, and for the commencement ceremonies at the end of each semester.

The Brass Ensemble rehearses every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:35 - 11:50 AM in room 119 of the Fine Arts Complex.

Director: Mr.Scott Roeder
Email:roedersd@utpa.edu
Office Phone:956-316-7134

Clairnet Ensemble
For information on how to participate in the Clarinet Ensemble, please contact Dr. Bill O'Neil at:

Director: Dr. Bill O' Neil
Email:loneil@utpa.edu
Office Phone:956-381-3476

Euphonium Ensemble
For information on how to join the group please contact Mr. Scott Roeder at:

Director: Mr.Scott Roeder
Email:roedersd@utpa.edu
Office Phone:956-316-7134

Trombone Ensemble
For information on how to join the group please contact Dr. Pedro Martinez at:

Director: Dr. Pedro Martinez
Email:martinezp@utpa.edu
Office Phone:956-318-5341

Drum Line
For information on how to participate in the UTPA Drum Line please contact Dr. Mark Ramirez at:

Director: Dr. Mark Ramirez
Email:mjr@panam.edu
Office Phone:956-380-8762

Miriachi Group
Since 1989, the UTPA Mariachi has been one of the best known musical groups on campus and off. The UTPA Mariachi was founded to promote Mexican Folk music and the culture of the Hispanic people for the benefit of the students and community of South Texas. The program consists of three mariachis – the UTPA Mariachi, the UTPA Mariachi Femenil, and the UTPA Mariachi Aztlan for a total of over 50 students per semester.

Mariachi is one of the most beloved types of Mexican folk music, and people of the Rio Grande Valley identify with mariachi music because it reminds them of their culture and heritage. Mariachi is a very effective tool in teaching students discipline and dedication to an art form. The study of music in general, especially in many genres, can lead to more broadly educated students and better citizens of the Valley with more to offer in the future.

The UTPA Mariachi consists of music students and students of other disciplines who are preparing to be educators in the public schools of South Texas. The student population of the Rio Grande Valley is predominately Hispanic. The study of the music and culture of the Hispanic population in the public schools promotes pride in heritage and is used to inspire the students to pursue a higher education. Many of the students in the UTPA Mariachi will be teaching Mexican musical traditions and culture in public school students in the near future. The Mariachi students are trained in Teacher Preparation, promote the Arts and Music of the Hispanic culture, and are very active in Community Outreach on behalf of the University of Texas Pan American.

The UTPA Mariachi presents multiple performances each semester throughout Texas and the Rio Grande Valley. In addition to local performances, the UTPA Mariachi has appeared at the Tucson International Mariachi Conferences; in Ottawa, Canada; in Los Angeles, California; at the Fifth International Mariachi Conference in Guadalajara, Mexico; at the Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan Extravaganzas in San Antonio and Houston Texas; and has been invited to perform in Washington D.C. and at the Texas State Capital in Austin Texas. The UTPA Mariachi has performed with two symphony orchestras in Mexico, including performances in Monterrey, Pachuca, and Tampico, Mexico. For over ten years, in San Antonio, Texas, and in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the UTPA Mariachi has been selected as the “Outstanding College or University Mariachi” in nationwide competition.

The UTPA Mariachi Femenil (all female mariachi) recently won first place “University Level” in the Albuquerque Mariachi Competition 2005, and first place in the Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan Extravaganza in San Antonio in December. The Mariachi Femenil opened for the Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan in Austin on March 5th 2006 and won first place in the “Best in Texas” Mariachi Invitational at the Houston Rodeo, in Houston Texas on March 12, 2006, performing for over 71,000 people. The UTPA Mariachi Femenil is the only all-female mariachi at the university level (that we are aware of).

The UTPA Mariachi has been recognized by the Texas House of Representatives (1999) and the Texas Senate (2003) for promoting the music and traditions of the Hispanic culture.

The study of the music and culture of the Hispanic population in the public schools promotes pride in heritage and is used to inspire the students to pursue a higher education. The mariachi program offers the student musicians scholarships that range from $500 to $1,000. With the assistance of these mariachi scholarships over 50 students have graduated with Bachelors degrees. Most of these graduates are now teaching in South Texas school districts.

Co-Directors:
Dr. Dahlia Guerra
Email:guerrad@utpa.edu
Office Phone:956-381-2175

Mr. Francisco Loera
Email:franciscol@utpa.edu
Office Phone:956-381-3441

BAND

Salsa Band
The UTPA Salsa Band performs for numerous events on campus in addition to various events throughout the community. The ensemble plays Latin music in the style of Salsa, Cha-Cha, Mambo, Merengue, Bolero and many more. The Salsa Band performs 3-4 concerts per year in the Fine Arts Auditorium in addition to many other events on and off campus; please check the Fine Arts "Calendar of Events " for the our next concert or any other performances offered by the music department!

The UTPA Salsa Band rehearses every Tuesday and Thursday from 4:00 - 5:30 PM in room 119 of the Fine Arts Center.

For information on how to participate in the UTPA Salsa Band or for information on how to book the band for an event, please contact Dr. Pedro Martinez at:

Director: Dr. Pedro Martinez
Email:martinezp@utpa.edu
Office Phone:956-381-5341

University Band
The University Band performs concerts each semester. Their repertoire ranges from Sousa marches to the standard concert band literature of twentieth-century composers to transcriptions of major orchestral works.

Featured soloists in past seasons have included UTPA faculty members, Pedro Martinez and William O'Neil ; local judge Homer Salinas on trumpet, and nationally known saxophonist Tony Campisi. Additionally, the brass section performs for commencement ceremonies.

The ensemble meets MWF from 11:45 AM - 12:35 PM in room 119 of the Fine Arts Center.

For information on how to participate in the University Band, please contact Dr. Dean Canty at:

Director: Dr. Dean Canty
Email:cantyd@panam.edu
Office Phone:956-381-3477

Pep Band
For information on how to participate in the UTPA Pep Band, please contact Mr. Scott Roeder at:

Director: Mr.Scott Roeder
Email:roedersd@utpa.edu
Office Phone:956-316-7134

Jazz Band
For information on how to participate in the UTPA Jazz Band, please contact Dr. Dean Canty at:

Director: Dr. Dean Canty
Email:cantyd@panam.edu
Office Phone:956-381-3477

PERCUSSION

Percussion Ensemble
For information on how to participate in the Percussion Ensembles, please contact Dr. Mark Ramirez at:

Director: Dr. Mark Ramirez
Email:mjr@panam.edu
Office Phone:956-380-8762

ORCHESTRA

Chamber Orchestra
The orchestra is comprised of music students from UTPA and advanced high school students from the Valley.

The orchestra presents 1-2 concerts per semester in the UTPA Fine Arts Auditorium, please check the Calendar of Events for the exact schedule.

The orchestra rehearses Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 5:45 - 7:00 pm in room 119 of the Fine Arts Complex.

For information on how to join the group, please email Dr. Pedro Martinez at:

Director: Dr. Pedro Martinez
Email:martinezp@utpa.edu
Office Phone:956-381-5341

Symphony Orchestra
The Rio Grande Valley Symphony Orchestra is a university and community orchestra which presents a six-concert subscription series annually as well as numerous concerts in several Valley cities and northern Mexico.

Artists are students, faculty, and community members.

The Orchestra features internationally recognized artists as guest soloists each season. Dr. Peter Dabrowski is music director and conductor. It is open to all students and members of the community by audition.

The Symphony meets Thursdays at 7:00 pm.

Director: Dr. Peter Dabrowski
Email:dabrowski@panam.edu
Office Phone:956-381-5321

VOCAL

University Choir
The University Choir is directed by Dr. Christopher Munn. The Choir presents two concerts each semester.

The members are also invited to join the Valley Symphony Chorale which performs with the
Valley Symphony Orchestra .

University Choir meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 11:45 and TR at 10:35 AM

Valley Symphony Chorale meets Monday nights at 7:30 PM.
For information on how to participate in the University Choir, please contact Dr. Christopher Munn at:

Director: Dr. Christopher Munn
Email:acmunn@panam.edu
Office Phone:956-381-3473

Men's/Women's Chorus
The Men's & Women's choruses are designed to provide a choral opportunity for all interested UTPA students. Under the direction of Dr. Vivian Munn, the two choruses meet once a week to prepare concerts each semester.

The two ensembles perform music written especially to highlight the choral color of the male and female voices. Both choruses have been featured at several campus events, and the Men's Chorus has sung at several graduation ceremonies.

Women's Chorus meets Mondays from 3:00 - 4:30 PM.

Men's Chorus meets Wednesdays from 3:00 - 4:30 PM.
For information on how to participate in the University Choir, please contact Dr. Vivan Munn at:

Director: Dr. Vivan Munn
Email:vivmunn@panam.edu
Office Phone:956-381-2860

OPERA

Opera Workshop
Since its revival in 1995, the Opera Workshop has collaborated with the University Theatre to produce three major shows: The Chatterboxes by Jacques Offenbach in January 1995, Dragons by Sheldon Harnick in April 1997, and Brigadoon by Lerner and Loewe in April 1999. In November 1999, the Opera Workshop presented a one-act children's opera, Goldilocks, and seven scenes from major operas and musicals. In the spring and fall of 2000, the Opera Workshop produced La Gran Vía, a zarzuela or Spanish operetta.

The production melded the talents of the UTPA Mariachi and the Folkloric Dancers with vocalists. Also in the fall of 2000 the Opera Workshop produced the opera, The Atonement, by Professor Carl Seale. Productions of two zarzuelas followed: Luisa Fernanda in 2001, repeated in 2002 for the University's 75th anniversary, and El Dúo de La Africana in 2004.

Opera Workshop is open to all students and members of the community by audition.

Dr. Richard Davis direct the Opera Workshop. See Picture Page of recent Productions.

Musical rehearsals are held TT 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

For information on how to participate in the University Choir, please contact Dr. Vivan Munn at:

Director: Dr. Richard Davis
Email:davisw@panam.edu
Office Phone:956-381-3471