Lights lowered and symphonies rang out at the Performing Arts Center as music education seniors played heartfelt melodies during their senior recitals, signifying the end of their time at Texas State.
From March 7 to May 8, students are pushing the limits of the knowledge they gained from their time at the university to perform unique musical arrangements. These final projects, which are required for their degree, range from an original percussion performance seamlessly flowing between songs to a historically significant viola performance centering on female composers.
Abigail “Abby” Quinterro
Abby Quinterro, music education senior, played four different viola pieces for her senior recital. Each work she played represented a different era of music, ranging from the classical period to the contemporary period.
Quinterro said she wanted to highlight female composers’ works, so she included “Passacaglia on an Old English Time” by classical composer Rebecca Clarke and “In Manus Tuas” by contemporary composer Caroline Shaw in her performance.
“I prioritized incorporating female composers into my program because a lot of times in music, you don’t often see female composers,” Quinterro said. “They were always there, but they weren’t always given the spotlight as opposed to men.”
Quinterro first started playing the viola in fifth grade. Since then, she worked toward getting her music education degree in hopes of becoming a high school orchestra director. She aspires to have her own private studio of students to teach so she can keep regularly playing her instrument.
“I often will hear stories of music education majors who once they start teaching, they don’t play their instrument as much, and that’s just something I don’t want to happen to me,” Quinterro said. “I can’t imagine my life not performing in an ensemble of some kind.”
Collin Winters
Collin Winters, music education senior, performed six percussion pieces for his senior recital titled “Anthem,” playing marimba, snare drums, a drum set and vibraphone. His performance consists of mostly original pieces, with the exception of “Blue Smoke” by Michael Burt. This is because recital rules required him to play at least one existing song.
The dystopian fiction novella “Anthem” by Ayn Rand was a strong inspiration for his performance and is where the recital got its name. It takes place in a future where all forms of individuality are completely erased.
While senior recitals are normally split into separate portions for performer to take breaks, Winters decided to seamlessly flow each piece into the next, removing any long moments of silence in between songs.
“If you’re in the audience, it always felt pretty awkward like, ‘Are we supposed to talk?’ or like, ‘What are we supposed to do while we wait for the performer?'” Winters said, “So I think a couple years ago, I had the idea of just writing a nonstop recital.”
Winters began playing the drums in third grade and cemented his love for music at Texas State. While he is passionate about music education, he still wants to set aside time to continue writing new pieces.
“If I want to go straight into teaching, I would continue kind of doing what I did for my recital, like writing new pieces and playing and stuff like that on the side, because I really enjoy that too,” Winters said.
Chris Patureau
Chris Patureau, music education senior, played five trumpet covers for his senior recital titled “Sounds from the San Marcos River.” A portion of his recital was also done with Bobcat Country, Texas State’s country ensemble formed in 2022, where he provided vocals and trumpet. Patureau joined the group in 2023 as a trumpet player and singer and has been performing music with it ever since.
“They were a big part of my life these past few years, so it was wonderful to include them in my performance,” Patureau said.
For his program, Patureau played songs such as “Suite in D Major” by G. F. Handel, “Lied” by Eugene Bozza and “Sounds from the Hudson” by Herbert L. Clarke. Like Quinterro, he started playing the trumpet in the fifth grade. Though it wasn’t his first choice of instrument, he stuck with it after finding it suited him well.
Patureau said he pursued music education to become a band director or a part of a musical composition.
“[My university journey’s] definitely been a rocky road, and it was without a doubt the most rewarding part to just display everything for my family and my friends and some of my professors who attended,” Patureau said. “It was beautiful.”
Performances can be attended in person. They are livestreamed on YouTube at @TexasStatePresentsCh1, @Texas StatePresentsCh2 and @TexasStatePresentsCh3. and are available to view until May 8. To find specific senior recitals, visit the Texas State’s main events page at https://events.txst.edu/school-of-music.html.
