From a graduation-day surprise to an international stage, Daniela Salinas and Steven Martin are preparing to represent UTPB in a transformative musical experience abroad. The aspiring educators hope to return from Ireland with fresh perspectives, new techniques, and inspiration to share with future students in the Permian Basin.
For Music Education majors Daniela Salinas and Steven Martin, a passion that began in sixth grade is taking them across the Atlantic this summer.
The two UTPB students have been selected to participate in the Esker Orchestral Music Festival in Ireland this August. The weeklong festival is an intensive educational and performance experience that bridges together college musicians from around the world.
Daniela and Steven learned about the festival last year after another UTPB student returned from the experience. Their music theory professor, Dr. Sclar, who has previously attended the festival, encouraged them to apply.
When applications opened, both students submitted performances from their junior recitals. The acceptance notifications arrived on their way to play at the graduation ceremonies.
“We were driving to graduation and I got the email,” Steven said. “We were accepted in. It was really exciting and very shocking.”
During the festival, Daniela, a violinist, and Steven, a French horn player, will rehearse and perform two major works, Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 and Copland’s Appalachian Spring.
In addition to ensemble rehearsals, participants will participate in master classes, providing opportunities to refine their skills with experienced and professional musicians.
“They are so rich to have, especially as musicians because we can’t open a textbook and learn,” Daniela said about the master classes. “Having someone there, and someone who has a different perspective than we do is really rich.”
Steven is looking forward to broadening his musical horizons through the experience.
“I am hoping to gain a new perspective in music as a whole. In UTPB, we are a smaller program, so this is a gateway into more music and more performances,” Steven said.
As they prepare t enter their senior year this fall, both students hope the festival will help them grow as performers while bringing new ideas and perspectives back to the Permian Basin.
“I want to see what other areas are doing [in music] and bring those techniques and bring them back here,” Daniela said.
After graduation, both students plan to pursue a Master of Music in performance before beginning careers as music educators.
Help Daniela and Steven attend the festival by contributing to their GoFundMe campaign. Your donation will help cover festival tuition, accommodations, meals, and travel expenses, making this valuable educational opportunity possible.
The two UTPB students have been selected to participate in the Esker Orchestral Music Festival in Ireland this August. The weeklong festival is an intensive educational and performance experience that bridges together college musicians from around the world.
Daniela and Steven learned about the festival last year after another UTPB student returned from the experience. Their music theory professor, Dr. Sclar, who has previously attended the festival, encouraged them to apply.
When applications opened, both students submitted performances from their junior recitals. The acceptance notifications arrived on their way to play at the graduation ceremonies.
“We were driving to graduation and I got the email,” Steven said. “We were accepted in. It was really exciting and very shocking.” During the festival, Daniela, a violinist, and Steven, a French horn player, will rehearse and perform two major works, Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 and Copland’s Appalachian Spring.
In addition to ensemble rehearsals, participants will participate in master classes, providing opportunities to refine their skills with experienced and professional musicians.
“They are so rich to have, especially as musicians because we can’t open a textbook and learn,” Daniela said about the master classes. “Having someone there, and someone who has a different perspective than we do is really rich.”
Steven is looking forward to broadening his musical horizons through the experience.
“I am hoping to gain a new perspective in music as a whole. In UTPB, we are a smaller program, so this is a gateway into more music and more performances,” Steven said.
As they prepare t enter their senior year this fall, both students hope the festival will help them grow as performers while bringing new ideas and perspectives back to the Permian Basin.
“I want to see what other areas are doing [in music] and bring those techniques and bring them back here,” Daniela said. After graduation, both students plan to pursue a Master of Music in performance before beginning careers as music educators.
Help Daniela and Steven attend the festival by contributing to their GoFundMe campaign. Your donation will help cover festival tuition, accommodations, meals, and travel expenses, making this valuable educational opportunity possible.
