Richardson, TX native Jacob Muzquiz graduated from Berkner High School and Texas A&M University-Commerce with a Bachelor’s degree in Music where he studied with Jimmy Clark (Principal Trombone, Dallas Opera/Dallas Winds) and Chris Oliver (Associate Principal, Dallas Symphony.) He is currently finishing his Master’s degree in Trombone Performance at Southern Methodist University under the instruction of John Kitzman (Retired, Principal Trombone, Dallas Symphony.)
Jacob enjoys listening to and performing works by Mahler, Bruckner, Strauss, and Tchaikovsky. “They do an excellent job of highlighting the brass section and especially the trombone section” says Jacob.
How did your experience in Youth Winds help you as a high school student?
“As a high school student, the Lone Star Youth Winds provided me with great opportunities to perform great repertoire with other talented young musicians. To this day, I am in contact with other students and teachers I met when I was member of the Lone Star Youth Winds.”
Why should students join Youth Winds?
“Joining the Lone Star Youth Winds provides students an opportunity to meet and perform with other young and dedicated students in the area.”
Do you have any words of advice for anyone considering becoming a professional musician?
“Be ready to work hard. The musicians I aspire to be like are the ones who have the strongest work ethic. Talent can only get you so far. At the end of the day, the person who is the most patient and the most dedicated will succeed.”
What are your fondest / most impactful memories of your time with Youth Winds?
“I really enjoyed getting to meet the members of the Lone Star Wind Orchestra (professional group). Getting to rehearse while sitting next to professional musicians was a lot of fun for me. It made me feel that I could one day be in their shoes. All of the performances were also very special. We were not performing the music for a trophy nor a rating, but for ourselves and our audience.”
The Lone Star Youth Winds opens their 2016-2017 season with a tribute to the city of Dallas and its strong cultural heritage. We are proud to feature Youth Winds alumni Jacob Muzquiz on Trombone!
Conducted by Jeff Bradford, the Lone Star Youth Winds will perform “Fanfare for Life” by African-American composer Kimo Williams, “Danzon No. 2” by Arturo Marquez, and the “Big D” Symphony by Texas composer Don Gillis.
The program will also honor the Dallas Police Department and its officers with a special performance of Edward Elgar’s “Nimrod” and Frank Ticheli’s beautiful rendition of “Amazing Grace.”
Buy tickets: http://bit.ly/DallasProud