It's official

While the article I was interivewed for seems to have been put on the back burner, I'm pleased to say that the article on the Performing Arts Center was on the front page of The Brownsville Herald yesterday.

Reporting mostly on the techicalities it took to get the sound in the auditorium just right, the article also featured pictures from inside and outside, the choir on stage and also quotes from the acoustician who worked closely with the arcitects, some Fine Arts faculty, a student (who happens to be one of my best friends) and even the president of UTB, Dr. Juliet Garcia- all who shared the same excitement I had when I first entered the building.

When UTB-TSC Master Chorale member Ricardo Delgado, 20, walked into the new performance hall, he felt as he did when he performed at the Lila Cockrell Theater in San Antonio.

"When I walked in (the new center), that’s the exact feeling I got, that feeling of excitement and accomplishment . . . it is beautiful and it makes us feel worth more than what we thought," Delgado said.

Delgado was not disappointed after the Master Chorale tested the acoustics.

UTB-TSC’s Fine Arts Chair Dr. Sue Zanne Urbis is both a pianist and clarinetist.

Urbis found it hard to express "the sheer joy that I experienced the first time that I walked in. All I could imagine were all of my wonderful students on stage doing what they do best, which is to perform music."

The Performing Arts Center is to open its doors the first thing come 2010.

Exposure

I may be stretching it a bit when I say this, but then again, I may not be too far off. South Texas is what some call a "fertile" ground for the arts because people haven't been exposed to much of it.

Having been around music and/or art educators my whole life, I've definitely taken note on how they go about teaching their students. I've seen the struggle made when a student isn't passing their classes and isn't eligible to compete for a region band or choir, and similarly, I've seen the same teachers struggle to help the students family understand why they're even bothering with their child.

Not many kids in South Texas come from families where numerous members of the family have participated in fine arts organizations, so it is not uncommon for middle school kids to be the first one in their family to be part of a school band, for example. After they get a feeling for the arts, however, many times their friends and siblings see what they do, how much they enjoy it and decide to join also.

Exposure, even if it's by word of mouth or by example is crucial to the livelihood of the arts.

Travel North

Within the Valley, there are certain "hot spots" for the performing arts.

Almost- sadly- needless to say, Brownsville is not one of them. And I've never quite understood why. When comparing populations, Brownsville has one of the largest, fastest-growing populations in the Valley and quite possibly the state. So why aren't there more opportunities for the art audience?

The closest we have to a large venue is the Jacob Brown auditorium (with the exception of the new UTB Performing Arts Center- which is still not ready for use) and maybe one could consider the Brownsville Events Center but both venues are in high demand and reserving the use for either one requires being put on a long waiting list. Outside of those two, the only thing bigger would be the Dodge Arena in Hidalgo, not even within city limits.

Say a good performer or group came to the Valley. Chances are they'd land and perform in Hidalgo or maybe McAllen which is even further from Brownsville. Then one would have to consider the cost of admission but the cost of transportation and gas since it is outside of the city.

Yes, we may be the furthest away from everything, being so far south, but does that mean there is not a want and need for the same quality performances? People in Brownsville may not even know what they're missing if they're not exposed, so how can they be enticed to attend an event if there's a traveling prerequisite?

Above my head

You may or may not have noticed the Ralf Waldo Emerson quote above. Whether you have or not, I'd like to take today's blog post and relate it to my last post's subject: The Performing Arts Center (yes, again).

While I touched briefly on the actual building and decor of the new facility, I'd like to revisit it. I understand this blog is not dedicated to things having to do with interior design, but hear me out.

It's never really phased me how other auditoriums- no matter where you are- are decorated nicely. Some would even call them fancy. I've seen just about every kind of decoration in auditoriums out there, a good majority of them being "fancy."

I'm sure benefactors and sponsorers want the best for the students or performers and they want them to feel appreciated, as if they stopped at nothing to get the best for them, but this also causes "outsiders" to feel unworthy, out of place and maybe even underdressed.

Especially in Brownsville, some might feel like just setting foot in such a "nice" place is above their heads. In my opinion, this contributes heavily to the attitudes people might have towards the arts because they associate a building's lobby with what they think the artists might think about them: that the "outsiders" aren't worthy.

Appreciated

Although there is sometimes- the majority of the time- little respect for the arts in the Valley, it's usually outside of the college atmosphere. Within that realm, however, the arts are highly regarded.

Today was the unnoficial opening of the new performing arts center on the UTB campus. Groups started sound checks yesterday afternoon and continued through today. Master Chorale was one of the last groups to get a feel for the stage.

Upon entering, I was impressed with not only the elegant decor of the whole building but also with the time it took to plan out each rehearsal hall. There are at least three rehearsal halls, similar yet different color schemes and little differences here and there to suit each group's needs. I had to almost literally pinch myself to remember that we were, in fact, in Brownsville.

Being a member of one of these groups, I felt like not only does UTB really want to "be put on the map" but also like the powers that be really, genuinely want the students to have the best they can, to do the best they can. I've rarely felt so appreciated.

Quality > Location

Rarely am I struck so hard with an idea for a blog post that I must come home and write it right away. Today was one of those rare days.

The Master Chorale has been rehearsing and preparing for our concert over a span of about two months. I'm sure that sounds like a great amount of time to prepare but it's really not when you consider two things: the number of pieces we're to perform (ten! Some happen to be around 20 pages long!) and the difficulty level. Anyway, today was our last rehearsal. Since it was a dress rehearsal at the venue, everyone was just a little bit more serious about getting every detail taken care of.

But it was a five minute speech that our director, Mrs. Brumley, gave during a little vocal break. It was perfect for the theme of this blog and I was tempted to ask her (jokingly, of course) to repeat it so I could record it. It was just so spot-on with everything I agree with that there was literally a lump in my throat.

While I can't quote her perfectly, she said something along the lines of the following:

"You all know that aside from my family, you are it. I get up every morning wanting to get into a rehearsal because I know the drive behind all of you. It has been my mission every day since the first day I was director to give you a collegiate experience. You're paying to be here and I want, need, to give you your money's worth. Remember that our location has nothing to do with our quality of sound and work ethic. I wouldn't be here if I thought otherwise. I know I push you hard but it's because I know you will rise to the occasion and challenge. You've surpassed any expectations I've had set for this semester and I'm so proud to stand in front of you and call myself your director."

Senior Day: Success

It finally came.

Senior Music Day came and went, but not without a bang- quite possibly with a high note from the Sopranos in the choir and maybe a roll of a timpany drum, too.

As I stated in my last blog, I didn't expect such an overwhelming response and I was right in expecting that. Although I didn't linger too long after the choir's performance, I didn't hear too much feedback. Of course, later, a few music professors complimented our director but they always do and I never know whether they're just being nice or not.

More than that, I wonder if the whole day and preparation for today went in vain. Did anything really reach the high school students that attended today?

I saw busses from all over the Valley: Brownsville, Donna, Edinburg and everywhere in between, but what is it all for if kids are using days like these to just get out of class?

Whether this was the case or not, if one- just one- person was inspired to just continue music education, I consider it a success.

Prediction

There is a rehearsal at the Jacob Brown auditorium for Wednesday's High School Senior Day- something I've looked forward to for a long while.

Every year, towards the end of the fall semester, all the high school seniors that are involved in music organizations at their schools are invited to attend this event. UTB's music groups are showcased; the choir sings a few selections from their upcoming concert program and the bands and mariachi groups do the same.

I remember a few years ago when I attended as a senior. I was so excited to go, see "the best of the best," as my director said. They didn't disappoint. Other than at a convention showcasing groups from all over Texas, I'd never seen or heard such great performances, groups made up of people only one to two years older than I was. I soaked it up like a sponge.

Of course there were kids right next to me- I say "kids" because that's what they acted like- who only attended because it was basically a get-out-of-jail-free card. Classes were excused and they got to "hang out with their friends". They were paying attention to anything but the group on stage. Texting was, I believe, the biggest attraction. I was even disappointed to see a director playing with his phone.

I felt bad for the students on stage. I could only imagine what hard work they'd put into making a piece sound more than decent and no one seemed to care.

This year, I'm one of those students on stage. While I can only hope that the high school students pay attention and maybe get something out of the day's events, I know there will be that percentage of kids who will be texting away, not a care in the world.

I'll be posting an update after it's all over Wednesday afternoon.

Location is nothing

This past Wednesday, I was called into the choir director's office with one of my friends who has been in the Master Chorale for about two years. Right away, Mrs. Brumley introduced us to a journalist from The Brownsville Herald. I was instantly nervous.

He explained that he would like some comments on our upcoming concert, a perspective from a veteran and a new member. I'd never been interviewed for something this "serious", if that's the right word. I've been asked a question for the my high school's newspaper but my quote was never used. This, however, was much different. Not only being new to to interviewee role but knowing my words will probably end up inside The Herald, I didn't want to reflect anything but positive opinions on an organization I hold so dearly but also one that is vastly underrated.

The journalist asked us a few questions, ones about the pieces we're to perform as well as one big, meaty question: "What do you hope people take away from the concert?"

I think my friend said it best: "Because we're so far down south doesn't mean anything. We're just as good as any other 'prestigious' college choir."

Surprise, surprise

There are always exceptions. And boy, did I find one.

My last two blog postings have discussed the lack of coverage art departments get, in newspapers specifically.

Yesterday, I woke up to my dad reading The Brownsville Herald online. He told me right away that the UTB/TSC Master Chorale (an organization which I am a member of) had been mentioned in the article about Barry Horn's funeral.

While I didn't expect it to be much (it wasn't) and while I did expect to read something about the funeral itself, I was still flattered to read such a compliment. There was no picture except that of the casket being brought into Sacred Heart Catholic church and not even a quote from an attendee of the mass but it was a compliment nonetheless.

"Friends and loved ones of Barry T. Horn gathered at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on a sunny, cool and beautiful Saturday morning to say their last goodbye to the executive director of the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art.

They showed their love and respect for Horn, while the angelic voices of the UTB-TSC Master Chorale resonated throughout the church — and as Horn’s casket was brought in for the funeral service.

The Rev. Michael Amasse, speaking to 200-300 people at the service, said Horn had great love for the church and for the arts — and that love was returned and shared by the community."

"What about us?" Part 2

While I was only exposed to the public school system for two years, I'm very familar with the atmosphere and attitudes of administrators and teachers. Being the daughter of a retired band director who worked and taught for the Brownsville Independent School District for 30 years, I've pretty much seen it all, or at least heard about it.

This past weekend on our way to my little sister's last marching show of the season, my dad and I struck up a conversation about this blog and his experiences with his many "run-ins with the law". My father's always been the kind of person who, if he whole-heartedly believed in something, he was always going full force ahead. Always being a huge supporter of the arts (band in particular, of course), he never turned down an opportunity to talk up the advantages the arts provide in the lives of people, regardless of age. If you asked him, he'd tell you about how knowing how to read music will aid in math, reading, logic, common sense, problem solving, among others.

Of course, his opportunities to plug music and the arts aren't always presented in a way where he's not alone in advocating it. Most of the time, the only reason he brings the aforementioned points up in conversation is because people either don't know about the advantages or they simply don't want to believe them. The latter reason sounds somewhat outrageous but it's true; I've witnessed it myself, sadly most of these instances name a school administrator as the opposition.

A good example of one of these moments, I think, was when my dad took an ad out in The Brownsville Herald after a huge victory at a competition open to middle and high school bands across Texas. Out of over 30 bands from all over and out of the huge range of budgets (some districts provide private lessons for their music students free of charge, unlike BISD), my dad's band came out at the top, earning first place of all bands as well as the highest rating possible for their category. The ad was half a page in size, and although not in color, it cost an easy $300. That money came out of the band's fund and had nothing to do with the finances of the school or district. This is not a big deal until one considers how a football player might be featured in the paper with a huge color picture at no cost to the student, his school or organization.

Why is there a double standard? If there isn't, arts students sure feel there is. I was one of them not long ago.