Amarillo hosts 53rd annual Greater Southwest Music Festival
The Amarillo Symphony welcomes more than 8,000 student musicians from across Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma as they host their 53rd annual Greater Southwest Music Festival (GSWMF) from April 25-27.
The festival has served as a pillar for the music community throughout the Tri-State area, providing students with performance opportunities, feedback, and growth. Participants will compete in large ensembles including bands, orchestras and choirs to showcase their skills through Solo & Ensemble categories, following which, they will receive expert critique from established music educators and adjudicators.
"This has been a wonderful outreach for the community to bring so many students, parents, and musical directors from all over the tri-state region to come together. ... It's a great legacy for our city, and with the symphony taking over this event five years ago, we are so pleased to continue that long tradition," said Larry Lang, Executive Director of the Amarillo Symphony.
Lang stated that for many of the students, this is one of the few opportunities to listen to fellow musicians and receive feedback on their music.
"A lot of times, when you come from a smaller community, you don't really have someone that is renowned and experienced to listen to you play and give you constructive and helpful feedback, which is what they receive when they get here, as well as hear other schools play," Lang said.
The symphony's executive director also stated that for many schools, this festival allows them to see where they lack and have abundance in, as well as discover new music and musical styles.
Throughout the weekend, community members are invited to view and listen to the free ensemble performances held each day from 8 a.m. to 5:40 p.m. at the Amarillo Civic Center, the Globe-News Center for Performing Arts and the Amarillo College Washington Street Campus.
In addition to the annual student performances, this year's festival will also include a series of special events throughout, beginning Thursday evening with a performance by the West Texas A&M Symphonic band featuring trumpet soloist Sarah Viens at 7:30 p.m. in the Globe-News Center for Performing Arts.
On Friday from noon to 1 p.m., the 77th U. S. Army Jazz Band will perform at the Amarillo Civic Center. The following day, Saturday, April 27, a Piano Masterclass will be held, featuring concert pianist Hyeree Chung Roux as she coaches aspiring musicians at noon in the Amarillo College Music Building Concert Hall.
"There is something about music in general that brings the best out of each individual student. It is scientifically proven through studies that music gives students confidence and teaches them teamwork, which allows them to excel in their other subjects. These are things that are sometimes hard to teach, and at festivals like this, they get to see the benefits of all their hard work and have fun," Lang said.
Each of these events offer free admission and are open to the public. To see the full schedule, go online to amarillosymphony.org .
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Performances begin for Greater Southwest Music Festival
