Greater Southwest Music Festival

04/24/2025

🎶JUDGE SPOTLIGHT! 🎶

Our next judge spotlight is our string solo & ensemble judge, Yesenia Campos!
Yesenia Campos is the director of orchestras at Rockwall High School in Rockwall, TX. Mrs. Campos completed her graduate studies at Southern Methodist University and her undergraduate studies at West Texas A&M University. Her studies included work with world-renowned soloist Chee-Yun Kim, mentors Annie Chalex, Tomas Cotik, and Dr. Keith Redpath.

As a violinist, Mrs. Campos has performed at several music festivals, including the American Festival for the Arts, the Hot Springs Music Festival, and the Midwest Young Artist Music Festival, which included masterclasses with Mark Kosower, Eugene Purdue, Young Nam Kim, and William Preucil. Mrs. Campos is currently a first violinist with the McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra.

Mrs. Campos began her teaching career in Mesquite ISD in 2017. As an orchestra director, Mrs. Campos’ orchestras have received consecutive Sweepstake awards and have received numerous recognitions at various festivals including being awarded Outstanding Performance and Best in Festival.

In addition to her teaching, Mrs. Campos is an active clinician and judge in the Dallas area and around the state. Her professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Orchestra Directors Association, and Texas Music Adjudicators Association. When not conducting an orchestra, Mrs. Campos enjoys spending time with her husband, her two beautiful daughters, and her dog Sam.

04/23/2025

🎶JUDGE SPOTLIGHT! 🎶

Our next judge spotlight is our band solo & ensemble judge, Ruth Allen!
Ruth Allen is in her 33rd year as a Band Director and 12th year at Hornedo Middle School in El Paso ISD. She leads all aspects of the band program and conducts the Honor Band, Jazz Band and Beginning Woodwinds. Under her direction, her bands consistently receive sweepstakes at UIL Concert/Sightreading Contests, Band Festivals, and Jazz Festivals. Her bands have received "Best in Class" in festivals held in San Antonio, Dallas, and California. Most recently, the HMS Honor Band placed 1st in Area A at the TMEA 3C Honor Band Competition and advanced to the State Semi-Finals. Also, the Honor Band was named a Commended Winner in the Mark of Excellence National Wind Band Competition for 2023. The Hornedo Jazz Band also performed at TMEA and Midwest in 2023.

Mrs. Allen’s main instrument is clarinet. She received her Bachelor in Music Performance from West Texas State University. She played under the direction of Dr. Gary Garner and studied clarinet with Robert Spring and Doug Story. She is a graduate of Riverside High School in El Paso and is a two-time Texas All-State Clarinetist and studied under Maria Galindo Chadwell and Vin Richards. She is an active judge and clinician in El Paso and throughout Texas and New Mexico. Her professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Phi Beta Mu and Texas Band Masters Association, where she served on the TBA Spouses Board from 2018-2024.

Mrs. Allen is married to Daniel Allen, who is currently teaching 5th grade Beginning Band. He recently served on the Texas Band Masters Association Board of Directors. Their son Christopher plays horn and piano and graduated from The University of Texas El Paso with a Bachelor of Music Education degree and a Master’s degree in Conducting. He is starting his teaching career as Assistant Director at McNeil Middle School in Wichita Fall, TX. Their daughter Lauren is a recent graduate of Coronado High School in El Paso ISD. She is a two-time Texas All-State Choir student. She is currently attending the University of Texas at El Paso.

04/22/2025

🎶 JUDGE SPOTLIGHT! 🎶

Our next judge spotlight is our vocal solo & ensemble judge, Lyndi Williams!

Lyndi Williams is an accomplished concert soprano with a dynamic career spanning national and international stages. She has performed with esteemed ensembles, orchestras, and opera companies, including the Amarillo Symphony, Amarillo Opera, University of North Texas Opera, and the American Baroque Opera Company. Her concert repertoire features solo performances in iconic works such as Handel’s “Messiah,” Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 9,” Mozart’s “Requiem,” and Orff’s “Carmina Burana.” Notably, she premiered Edward Manukyan’s “A World Without War,” set to words by Noam Chomsky, and debuted the English version of Loris Tjeknavorian’s “Love Songs.”

Lyndi’s international debut in the Republic of Armenia marked a pivotal moment in her career, where she had the honor of collaborating with some of the nation’s most revered composers, including Alexander Arutunian and Edward Mirzoyan.
In May 2023, Lyndi earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of North Texas, completing years of rigorous academic and professional development. Her passion for music and education continues to guide her journey as she embraces new opportunities to inspire and uplift others.

Now based in Panhandle, Texas, Lyndi has returned to her roots, embracing life surrounded by family and the community that shaped her. She serves as a Pre-K paraprofessional at Panhandle Elementary and a school bus driver, while continuing to teach private voice lessons—a passion she has nurtured for over 20 years. These roles allow her to give back while staying grounded in her hometown values. Alongside her dedication to education, Lyndi remains devoted to her musical craft, teaching, and inspiring the next generation.

Outside of work, she enjoys trail running, creative arts, and making cherished memories with her two daughters, Clara and Parker. Her journey is one of resilience and hope, as she draws from her life experiences to foster growth and contribute meaningfully to her community and beyond.

04/20/2025

🎶JUDGE SPOTLIGHT!🎶

Our next judge spotlight is one of our concert choir judges, Trenton Davis!

Trenton Davis is in his fourteenth year of teaching and first as the Director of Choirs at Allen High School. Prior to joining the Allen Independent School District, Davis taught nine years in West Texas for the Midland and Ector County Independent School Districts. Choirs under the direction of Davis have toured Croatia, Italy, New York City, Hawaii, and Florida, received consistent superior ratings at UIL Evaluations, and many have earned membership in the Texas All-State Choir Ensembles. In 2019, Davis conducted the Lee High School Varsity Treble as an Invited Choir at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention in San Antonio.

This year, Davis was selected as a 2024 UIL Sponsor Excellence Award recipient. He was has also received the 2023 Lowery Freshman Center Teacher of the Year, Midland Magazine “Top 20 under 40 Young Professionals”, a two-time recipient of the “Teacher in Excellence Award for Fine Arts”, and received the “Recognized Alumnus” from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin for Exceptional Professional Achievement in Music Education. Davis is a proud member of TMEA, ACDA, TMAA, and TCDA and currently serves as the TMEA Region 25 Vocal Chairman and Texas All-State Tenor-Bass Choir Organizer. Davis holds a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Texas of the Permian Basin and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Texas Tech University. Trenton is married to his best friend, Kaitlin, and with their daughters, Clara and Eleanor, reside in Allen.

04/19/2025

🎶JUDGE SPOTLIGHT! 🎶

Our next judge spotlight is one of our concert choir judges, Paula Edwards!

Paula T. Edwards, conductor, clinician & choral music specialist, is a veteran music educator. Her teaching career spans over 4 decades primarily in high school public school, where she spent many years directing the choral program at Midland Legacy High School (formerly Midland Lee). Choirs under her direction have received consistent UIL “Sweepstakes” ratings, toured internationally, and have been featured multiple times at Texas Music Educator Association conventions.

Mrs. Edwards received both her Bachelor and Master of Music Degrees at Hardin-Simmons University- Abilene, Texas. She has served TMEA as All-State Mixed & Treble Choir Organizer, All-State Section Leader, and Region Chair. She has frequently hosted and organized TMEA auditions, UIL Concert & Sight-reading Evaluations, and Region Clinic & Concerts. In addition, Mrs. Edwards has presented workshops & clinics for TMEA, TCDA (Texas Choral Directors’ Association) and school districts around the State and neighboring states, as well as conducting honor choirs in Texas, Georgia, Alabama, and Kentucky.

Mrs. Edwards awards include the TCDA Choral Excellence Award, UIL Sponsor Excellence Award, MISD Hero for Children Award, MISD Education Foundation Shining Star, PTSA Honorary Life Membership for outstanding service to children and youth, the Marcia McEntyre Zoffuto Hero Award as an exemplary music educator, Distinguished Alumni Award- Hardin-Simmons University, and Outstanding Teacher- Midland ISD and Northeast ISD - San Antonio. Recently, Edwards was inducted to the Midland Lee/Legacy High School Wall of Honor.

Mrs. Edwards and her husband, Phillip, reside in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and have twin adult daughters and four grandchildren.

04/18/2025

🎶JUDGE SPOTLIGHT! 🎶

Our next judge spotlight is one of our concert choir judges, Heather Bolin.
Heather E. Bolin graduated from Texas Tech University in 2005 with a degree in Music Education and a minor in Vocal Performance. She established and maintained the Evans Middle School Choir in Lubbock for ten years as the largest and most awarded middle school choir in Region 16. Her choirs worked extensively with Texas Tech Music Education, hosting dozens of preservice teachers.

She now serves a music education lecturer and Arts Education Coordinator for the J.T. And Margaret Talkington College of Visual and Performing Arts at Texas Tech University. She enjoys her roles as consultant, liaison, and advocate for many arts education communities across the state.

Mrs. Bolin is supported by her wonderful family: husband-Jody, children- Linden and Beckam Mack, and springer spaniels- Dolly and George!

04/17/2025

🎶JUDGE SPOTLIGHT! 🎶

Every day leading up to the festival, we want to introduce our amazing judges! Our first judge spotlight is our Show Choirs judge, Cloyce Kuhnert!

Cloyce Kuhnert is a Professor of Music at West Texas A&M University. She is a mezzo-soprano and completed her DMA in vocal performance at the University of North Texas. She has done leading roles at WTAMU, UNT, Amarillo Opera, and TEXAS. She has staged operas such as "Marriage of Figaro," "Die Fledermaus," "Cosi fan Tutte," "Don Giovanni," "Pirates of Penzance," and "Susannah." Dr. Kuhnert has been involved with TEXAS for thirty-one seasons (thirteen seasons as Music Director). She is also the choir director for First Presbyterian Church in Canyon, TX. She holds membership in NATS and TMEA. Her students have been successful in winning competitions and are working with opera companies, universities, and public schools across the country.

01/08/2025

Registration for the 2025 Greater Southwest Music Festival is now open! To learn more and register, please visit us at:
https://amarillosymphony.org/education-programs/greater-southwest-music-festival/

Festival dates: Thursday, May 1 - Saturday, May 3

01/07/2025

Registration for the 2025 Greater Southwest Music Festival is nearly here! Be sure register your group as early as 6:30am on Wednesday, January 8! Performance slots go quickly so don't wait!
To schedule your group once registration goes live or for more information, visit:

https://amarillosymphony.org/education-programs/greater-southwest-music-festival/

07/26/2024

We are in San Antonio for the Southwest Music Expo! Come visit us at booth 506! 🧡💛

07/24/2024

We are traveling to San Antonio for the Southwest Music Summer Expo this week! We can't wait to meet new educators and say hi to familiar faces. Come visit us at Booth 506!

04/27/2024

Last day of the festival! Thank you to all our volunteers from Tau Beta Sigma - Xi at West Texas A&M, Alpha Psi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, Mu Phi Epsilon - Alpha Nu Chapter, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia - Iota Pi!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️

04/25/2024

🎶JUDGES SPOTLIGHT! 🎶

Our last judge spotlight is both of our Jazz Band & Show Choir judges Jim Laughlin and Joan Weber!

Dr. Jim Laughlin is a tenured professor of music at Amarillo College who teaches woodwinds, jazz studies, audio technology and music theory. He is an active performer, adjudicator and clinician throughout the midwest. Dr. Laughlin has performed with many touring groups such as the Temptations, Rat Pack, Lynn Seaton, Mark Little, and as a student appeared with jazz greats Clark Terry, Urbie Green, Bob Mintzer, Diane Reeves, Steve Wilkerson, and others. Dr. Laughlin is a member of the Amarillo Symphony on both clarinet and saxophone, performs with Amarillo Opera and leads his own dance orchestra and jazz quartet. He has guest conducted many regional jazz bands as well as the Oklahoma Allstate Jazz band. As president of the Amarillo Jazz Society, a 501C non-profit organization, he has organized numerous concerts and educational events. He is also the founder and program director for Jim Laughlin June Jazz Series, a favorite community event which began in 1996 at Amarillo College. In 2012 Laughlin was guest lecturer for the Creative Mind lecture series at Amarillo College, his topic was early jazz in New York and Paris. In 2016 he taught Jazz History of Paris to a Global travel class and traveled with AC students to London and Paris. Dr. Jim Laughlin is an endorsement artist for D’Addario Woodwinds and Cannonball Musical Instruments.

Joan Weber was the Choir Director of Dumas Junior High for 4 years and the Choir Director of Canyon Junior High for 35 years. She was also the Amarillo Opera chorus Director from 1988-2004. Since retiring, she has continued mentoring running clinics for choirs in Amarillo area as well as performing with Sweet Adeline chapter and Amarillo Master Chorale.

04/24/2024

🎶JUDGES SPOTLIGHT! 🎶

Next, we are highlighting our Concert Choir judges Jason Paulk, Marcus Bradford, and Sean Pullen!

Dr. Jason Paulk is Director of Choral Activities and Professor of Music at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, NM, where he conducts the University Singers, Chamber Singers, and Swanee Singers ensembles, and teaches beginning conducting, advanced conducting, and choral methods. Dr. Paulk was the winner of the 1997 ACDA National Student Conducting Competition and was awarded the 2014 Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching at Eastern New Mexico University. Choirs under Jason’s direction have performed at state NAfME Conferences in Florida and New Mexico, the 2009 American Choral Directors Association National Convention, the 2018 National NAfME Conference, and for audiences throughout the United States, Europe, and China. Of all of Jason’s professional accomplishments, he takes the greatest pleasure in witnessing the growth of his students who are following their passions to become great singers, conductors, and music educators. He finds great satisfaction and joy in seeing his students teaching in their own classrooms, developing their own musical legacies, and learning to be servant leaders.

Marcus Bradford is a retired choral Director from Amarillo Texas. He is a graduate of WTSU with a Bachelor of Music Education. Mr. Bradford taught 32 years in public education. He has also been an accompanist at WTAMU for the past eight years. For many years, he was involved with the Amarillo Opera, serving as conductor, chorusmaster, and accompanist/coach. Marcus is married to his wife, Jill Bradford, who is the orchestra Director at Saint Andrews Episcopal school and violist in the Amarillo Symphony. They have two grown children, Mika Daniels and Clay Bradford. They also have three grandchildren.

Dr. Pullen conducts the Chorale, the Collegiate Choir, and the Chambers Singers. He also teaches graduate choral conducting, undergraduate conducting, secondary methods, and supervises student teaching. Dr. Pullen has directed choirs on the high school and university levels. His choirs have been recognized nationally performing for the American Choral Directors Association national conventions twice and for the Texas Music Educators Association conventions on three occasions. Most recently in 2016, the West Texas A&M University Chorale performed for the Texas Music Educators Association convention. The WTAMU choirs give six to seven concerts per year, often collaborating with the West Texas A&M University Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Pullen is frequently called upon to clinic region choirs throughout the state. He serves often as an adjudicator for UIL contests in Texas and music festivals across the country. Dr. Pullen has also composed various choral works and arrangements.

04/24/2024

We are so grateful to our sponsors for the Greater Southwest Music Festival! We couldn't make this festival happen without their support!

Today we are highlighting Visit Amarillo! Promoting Amarillo as a top travel destination for unique experiences and lifelong memories is their specialty, and the Amarillo CVB is devotedly assisting GSWMF in becoming an event of high attraction and quality.

Thank you for the support!

04/24/2024

Can't wait for tomorrow! 🥳

The Amarillo Symphony announced that it will welcome more than 8,000 students to the 53rd annual Greater Southwest Music Festival set to be held from Thursday through Saturday in downtown Amarillo.

04/23/2024

🎶JUDGES SPOTLIGHT! 🎶

Next we are highlighting our Non-Varsity Band & Orchestras judges Bill Harden, Greg Montgomery, and Phil LaRocque!

Bill Harden is a retired band director living in Abilene, Texas. He taught public school for 30 years in Odessa, TX, the last 20 as the Director of Bands at Odessa High School. Following his retirement from public school music education in 2018, he taught for an additional five years at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. He now works as a Customer Education Specialist for CutTime. Bill received a Bachelor of Music Education from Hardin-Simmons University (BMEd) in 1986 and a Master of Music in Basson from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (MM in Bassoon) in 1988. He has performed as second bassoon in the Midland-Odessa/West Texas Symphony since 1988. He also taught conducting and Music Education classes as an Adjunct at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.

Greg Montgomery is the band director at College Station Middle School (CSMS) in College Station, TX. He has taught for twenty-seven years with the last fifteen at CSMS. Mr. Montgomery is a graduate of West Texas A&M University where he received his bachelor's degree in Music Education and a Master of Arts degree with an emphasis in conducting. During his time at WTAMU, he was very active as a private lesson teacher for Amariilo and the surrounding area and also enjoyed a brief stint with the Amarillo Symphony. His formal teaching career began as an assistant director at Midland High School, before making the move to Junior high the next year. Since then he has taught at San Jacinto JH in Midland, Bowie MS in Amarillo, Montgomery JH in Montgomery, and finally College Station MS. His bands regularly earn superior ratings at UIL and at festivals, and have also been named best in class on multiple occasions.

Phil LaRocque grew up in El Paso, Texas starting his musical journey on Trombone in the 6th grade. Phil continued playing in band and Orchestra through college subbing at times in the Amarillo Symphony and performing in numerous ensembles. He even played for several headliners like Bob Hope, Smothers Brothers, and The Barnum Baily Circus. In 1983, he became a band director in Borger, Texas under his mentor Roger Edwards. During these years, he was the Region 1 band Chair from 1999-2000, 4A All State Band organizer in 2000. In 2000 He moved to the Dallas area teaching at The Colony High School and Irving High School. In 2006 Mr. LaRocque made the move to teach Orchestra at Lakeview Middle School in The Colony, Texas. Consistently earning sweepstakes at UIL competitions and winning outstanding Orchestra at several Peak music festivals. After 35 and a half years Phil retired from teaching in schools as a Band and Orchestra director. Currently, he is keeping a busy schedule running a recording business, judging contests, being a clinician, and continuing to perform with the Plano community band and the New Life Symphony Orchestra!

04/23/2024

Don't miss the West Texas A&M University Bands - Symphonic Band performance as a part of Greater Southwest Music Festival! The performance will feature guest conductor Larry Lang and guest trumpet soloist Sarah Viens. Join us this Thursday at 7:30pm at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts!