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!

04/23/2024

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 Wonderland Amusement Park! With a storied history of bringing fun and family together in Amarillo, Wonderland is helping GSWMF bring days of memorable experiences to our participants.
Thank you for the support!

04/22/2024

🎶JUDGES SPOTLIGHT! 🎶

Next, we are highlighting our Varsity Bands & Orchestra judges Major Dustin Doyle, Paul Sikes, and Gary Needham!

Major Dustin M. Doyle is the Commander and Conductor of the United States Air Force Band of the West located at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He commands the 61-member unit, overseeing 11 performing groups that engage communities on behalf of Air Education and Training Command as well as the 502d Air Base Wing to HONOR veterans, INSPIRE patriotism, and CONNECT with audiences. From Huntingtown, Maryland, Major Doyle earned his commission from Officer Training School in July 2009 at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.

Paul Sikes is Director of Fine Arts for Grapevine-Colleyville ISD in the DFW metro. He is responsible for the planning and oversight of all aspects of a comprehensive K-12 fine arts program to include Art, Band, Choir, Dance, and Theatre. He serves as leader, administrator, and mentor to almost 100 staff in the district. As a Texas music educator, Dr. Sikes has taught band and orchestra students through every level, from beginners through university. He has also volunteered for and served in many capacities throughout the state. He has served as TMEA Region President, Vice-President and College Chair, on the State fine arts Textbook Review Panel for the Texas Education Agency, and on various other state, regional and local boards and committees.

Gary Needham has been teaching for 28 years. He is serving in his 4th year of teaching at Garland High School. Before this, he taught 7 years at The Colony High School where his orchestras in the past have placed 7th and 6th in the Texas State Full Honor Orchestra Competition. The previous 9 years have been in Allen ISD at Allen High School and the Lowery Freshman Center. During his time in Allen, the Allen High School Orchestra Symphony Orchestra placed in the HS Full Honor Orchestra Finals (2004, 2006, 2007), and performed at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago (2006). Mr. Needham’s groups have continuously been awarded “Sweepstakes” at UIL and have won numerous other festival awards throughout the country. Before this, he was the orchestra director at Frankford Middle School in Plano ISD, a position he had held since 1998. Since the opening of Frankford MS in 1998, under Mr. Needhams direction, the orchestra program had grown to over 220 students, including 3 performing groups and 110 beginners. The groups at Frankford continually received the UIL “Sweepstakes” award and numerous other recognitions. The Frankford Chamber Orchestra placed in the Finals of the Texas Middle School Honor Orchestra Competition in 2000, 2002 and 2003.

04/22/2024

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 the Texas Commission on the Arts! TCA encourages a diverse and innovative arts community in Texas, and their sponsorship to the GSWMF is providing resources to help cultivate an environment of musical creativity.

Thank you for the support!

04/21/2024

🎶JUDGES SPOTLIGHT! 🎶

Our next judge spotlight is both of our piano solo & ensemble judges Denise Parr-Scanlin and Sunyoug Hwang!

Denise Parr-Scanlin just returned from her fourth Hong Kong Schools Music Festival, having previously served as an adjudicator in 2009, 2014, and 2019. She retired as Professor of Music at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas in 2020. She also taught at Mercer University Atlanta Georgia and the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega. An active performer, Dr. Parr-Scanlin was a member of the West Texas Symphony Quartet that won 3rd Prize in the nationally competitive Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for Performance of American Music in 2016. Among her many chamber music performances are appearances with the Omega String Quartet, the Movére Woodwind Quintet, the Houston Wind Quintet and performances with WT faculty. She has presented recitals throughout the United States and at conferences such as the Music Teachers National Association. In 2014 she presented solo piano recitals and master classes in China, Taiwan, and Thailand, and in 2015 performed in London on the Emmanuel International Recital Series and in Paris at the Fondation des Etats-Unis. She is featured on the Naxos recording of the Sonata for Cello and Piano by Samuel Jones with cellist Emmanuel Lopez . In 2019 she toured the western US in a program of four-hands music with pianist Maria Garzon. She is also a frequent competition and festival adjudicator, having judged in New Mexico, Texas, South Carolina, and Georgia. Her music degrees are from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Georgia. Additional study was at the American Conservatory of Music in Fontainebleau, France where she was a student of Nadia Boulanger. Later she received the Harriet Hale Wooley Scholarship from France and studied piano with Yvonne Loriod in Paris.

Pianist Sunyong Hwang, born in South Korea, began her piano studies at the age of five. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Chun-Ang University, a Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Pedagogy from Texas Tech University. As a soloist and collaborative pianist, Dr. Hwang boasts a rich and diverse repertoire that spans various styles and genres. Her musical expertise extends beyond performance, as she shares her piano pedagogy knowledge as a clinician and presenter. Her dedication to piano pedagogy was highlighted by her role as the President of Piano Pedagogy within the World Piano Teachers Association in 2020. With an unwavering dedication to education, Dr. Hwang has held positions at the University of Texas Permian Basin and the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, shaping the future of aspiring musicians. Currently, she continues to enrich the musical landscape as a collaborative pianist with the Amarillo Opera and as an adjunct faculty member at Amarillo College, passionately fostering and inspiring emerging musical talent.

Thank you, Denise and Sunyong, for being a part of our festival!

04/20/2024

🎶JUDGE SPOTLIGHT! 🎶

Our next judge spotlight is our Woodwinds/Brass/Percussion solo & ensemble judge Kelly Montgomery!

Kelly Montgomery is in her 10th year as Band Director at Cypress Grove Intermediate School in College Station, Texas. A graduate of West Texas A&M University, Mrs. Montgomery has also previously held positions in Amarillo ISD at Amarillo High School and Crockett Middle School, and Willow Wood Junior High in Tomball ISD. She also has taught private lessons on multiple instruments for Canyon ISD, Amarillo ISD, Klein ISD, Montgomery ISD and College Station ISD.

Mrs. Montgomery resides in College Station with her husband, Greg, and their 2 sons, Jack and Matthew. Greg is the band director at College Station Middle School. Jack is currently a Sophomore music education major at West Texas A&M University and a member of the Boston Crusaders Drum Corps playing euphonium. Matthew is a Junior at College Station High School and plays the horn and participates in Student Council. Mrs. Montgomery is active in her church’s music groups playing in the brass ensemble and handbell choir. In her free time, Mrs. Montgomery enjoys watching baseball games, keeping up with their son’s activities, and spending time with her family.

Thank you, Mrs. Montgomery, for being a part of our festival!

04/20/2024

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 Street Toyota! Recently awarded TASO's Business Award of Excellence, Street Toyota not only provides a quality auto-dealership experience but vicariously endorses the GSWMF and the musical arts across the Panhandle.
Thank you for the support!

04/19/2024

🎶 JUDGE SPOTLIGHT! 🎶

Our next judge spotlight is our vocal solo & ensemble judge Paige Brown!

Paige Brown is a private voice instructor and vocalist in Amarillo, TX. She graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in Vocal Music Education. Paige worked for Amarillo ISD before opening her private studio in 1994, where she specializes in high school and junior high vocalists. Members of her Studio are frequently named to the Texas All-State Choir and are successful in UIL Solo endeavors. Many of her students have been named Outstanding Vocalists of the GSWMF. Paige is a choir member and soloist. Since 2001, Paige has performed regularly with the Amarillo Master Chorale, previously known as the Amarillo Civic Choir, and currently serves as their soprano section leader. During 2022, Paige was selected, as an AMC choir member, to perform the Beethoven 9 Symphony with the Bellingham Music Festival Chorus in Bellingham, Washington. Paige performed Dr. Nathan Fryml's "Rejoice Again!" in 2019 with Chamber Music Amarillo and AMC as soprano soloist. She is a performing member of the Amarillo Opera where she has performed in the Italian Straw Hat (La Modista), La Perichole (Manuelita), Hansel and Gretel (The Dew Fairy), among others, including ensemble work and various outreach performances. Paige is a previous Greater Southwest Music Festival board member (10 years) and is currently an active member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS).

Thank you, Paige, for being a part of our festival!

04/19/2024

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 the Amarillo Symphony Guild! From the Young Artist Project to Instrument Express, the Guild is a major proponent of education initiatives for the Symphony, and their aid to the GSWMF is yet another significant contribution.
Thank you for the support!

04/18/2024

🎶 JUDGE SPOTLIGHT! 🎶

Every day leading up to the festival we want to introduce our amazing judges! Our first judge spotlight is our string solo & ensemble judge Nikesha Hailey-Hicks!

Nikesha Hailey-Hicks is a native Midlander. She graduated from Midland High School in 2000 and is currently the head director of orchestras at Midland High School and the feeder system for MHS. Nikesha began her career as the orchestra director at Goddard Jr. High School in 2008 and was promoted to head orchestra director in 2012. Since taking over the MHS orchestra, Nikesha has tripled the size of the program from 17 students to over 120 students and it continues to grow. In 2016 she was able to lead the orchestra in their first Sweepstakes in 11 years and has been able to continue the tradition every year. Nikesha has set a high standard and continues to lead the Midland High Orchestra to numerous Sweepstakes in both symphony and chamber orchestras, superior ratings at UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest and Superior ratings at Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest in Austin, TX. Not only are the students advancing musicians in contests and competitions, the orchestra has had a community outreach program at Hillcrest School in Midland. The students have performed at many nursing homes, pre-pandemic, in Midland to help bring awareness of the music education program in MISD and share the love of music.

Nikesha holds a bachelor's degree in Music Therapy from West Texas A&M University and a Masters in Music Education from Texas Tech University. Nikesha served as section musician for the Amarillo Symphony during her years in college and she currently serves as a section violinist for Midland Odessa Symphony and Chorale since 2006. Nikesha holds a position at First Presbyterian Church in Midland as a musician for the Sunday church services.

Nikesha has a 3 year old son, Jayden Hicks who is the light of her world and next year he will begin cello lessons and soccer. Her immediate family includes mother, Vicky Hailey and sister, Nicole Hailey.

Thank you Nikesha for being a part of our festival!

04/18/2024

The Greater Southwest Music Festival is just one week away!

This year, we are excited to bring you multiple FREE performances throughout the week!

We hope to see you all there! 🎶

04/18/2024

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 Tarpley Music! Establishing musical excellence and innovation has been their mission for the past century, and they are graciously sharing this goal with the GSWMF by supporting our artistic cause.
Thank you for the support!

04/17/2024

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 the M.K. Brown Foundation! We are grateful for their support of the Greater Southwest Music Festival as well as many other Amarillo Symphony educational programs.
Thank you for the support!

04/16/2024

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 the Education Credit Union Foundation! With their commitment to enriching education, ECU is helping the GSWMF reach thousands of kids and teachers by fostering a medium of learning and development.
Thank you for the support!

04/04/2024

T-SHIRT PRE-SALES OPEN!

Order your Greater Southwest Music Festival t-shirts today! T-shirts are $15 each, email sizes to [email protected] or call (806) 373-0906. Pre-orders must be placed by April 16.

01/09/2024

Registration for the 2024 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, April 25 - Saturday, April 27

07/20/2023

This week we are at the Southwest Music Summer Exhibition in conjunction with TCDA, TBA, and TODA! Come see us for information about the 2024 Greater Southwest Music Festival and grab some stickers, a t-shirt and even candy!! 🌟