Isaac HernandezBridge ReporterMusic Director
The community recognizes Texas A & M International University for its outstanding academic achievements, its great athletic programs, and for bringing more diversity to the city.
One thing that may surprise most individuals, is that the university has a wide range of music programs that have yet to be untapped.
Luckily this year TAMIU would like students, faculty, and the community to welcome the new music director in the Fine and Performing Arts Center, Dr. David Garcia
Dr. Garcia is still very new to the program, but can already see the potential down the road.”I only arrived to Laredo two days before classes started, and I am working very hard to try and figure out what has been done and what needs to be done in order to build the university’s music program,” explains Garcia.
With only a few weeks into the semester Dr. Garcia faces the challenge of trying and build the band for its future concerts, marching routines, and overall performance.
“At the moment we are having a shortage of band members. One key element in populating the band is to recruit. Currently I am working with the newspaper, other high school band directors in the community, and sending out e mails to TAMIU students interested in music performance. It’s a long process that needs to be in a short time,” said Garcia.
The band performs in soccer games during the halftime show, high schools around town and is scheduled to do recitals at the Fine and Performing Arts Building. Garcia said he was really excited about getting the TAMIU marching band to top university standards.
“At the moment it is just a matter of getting use to this new schedule and the way things work around here, but I am currently working on new marching routines and composing music that can be performed not just during the halftime shows, but also around the community,” Garcia said.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, music is something Garcia feels has always been a part of his life. At an early age his parents introduced him to several instruments and the ones that seem to work well with him are the flute and clarinet.
This passion for music continued throughout his childhood and by the time he reached Bowling Green State University, in Cleveland, Garcia knew that teaching was his calling and decided to pursue a doctoral degree.
Garcia spent most of his adult life in parts of Ohio, Boston, and lastly West Virginia before getting the late call from TAMIU to become the universities new music director.
“So far it has been great around the city. The university is nice, the students are excited, and I am looking forward to getting to know more places around town, but for now my focus is on making this program one of the best in Texas. We are starting from scratch but we will succeed immediately;” Garcia emphasized.
The Fine and Performing Arts Center has a packed schedule set for the year, those interested can check the TAMIU webpage link at www.tamiu.edu. For further information about the music program or anyone interested in joining the band can contact Dr. David Garcia at 956-326-2640 or by e mail at david.garcia@tamiu.edu