Texas Tech’s School of Music will host a benefit gala to raise funds for students prior to its concert, “IGNITE!” Nov. 13.
Texas Tech University's School of Music will host a benefit gala at 5:30 p.m. Monday (Nov. 13) at the Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences. The “IGNITE!” concert will follow at 7:30 p.m. featuring the entirety of the school's ensembles. Tickets are required for the gala; the concert is free.
“The gala is open to the public and the money raised will go toward student travel opportunities,” said Andrew J. Stetson, director of the School of Music. “Each year our student performers and researchers travel all around the globe to share what they learn at Texas Tech.”
While the School of Music sets a portion of its budget aside for travel opportunities, students are sometimes asked to pay a portion out –of pocket. This can be a challenge for many students.
The school's leadership hopes donors will support these opportunities so that all musicians have the chance to apply their scholarship in a hands-on way during their time at Texas Tech.
During the 2022-23 academic year, the School of Music represented Texas Tech in New York, Louisiana, South Carolina, Nevada, Ohio, Missouri, Maryland, Colorado, Utah, Arizona and Illinois. They traveled abroad to Andorra, Uganda, Canada and Brazil.
After dinner, community members can attend “IGNITE!” and hear ensembles such as the Goin' Band from Raiderland, Mariachi Los Matadores, the University Symphony Orchestra and more. The concert is free and open to the public.
“IGNITE!” was created as a way for the Texas Tech and Lubbock communities to hear the best of what the School of Music has to offer in one setting.
“In our third year of ‘IGNITE!” the event is only getting stronger and the performance level is incredible,” said Dean of the J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts Martin Camacho. “This is an invaluable experience for both our students and the community at large who have responded with great attendance in past years.”
Dinner and drinks will be served at the gala. Individual tickets are $250 and must be purchased by Monday (Nov. 6). For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Andrew J. Stetson, andrew.stetson@ttu.edu or Robin Phillips robin.phillips@ttu.edu.
To register for the gala, visit this link.
Student travel and educational opportunities this year:
- Mexico City and Xalapa, Mexico: The University Symphony Orchestra will tour Mexico.
- San Antonio: Mariachi Los Matadores will travel to the Texas Music Educators Clinic.
- Valencia and Lliria, Spain: The Texas Tech Steel Drum Band along with select members of the Afro-Samba Ensemble have been invited to perform at the 2024 Edeta Arts Percussion Festival.
- The Canary Islands: Students, faculty and alumni will perform at the International Saxophone Alliance Convention.
- New Orleans: Music Education majors interning with the West Texas Children's Chorus will lead workshops and perform in musically under-served areas of New Orleans. They also will be featured in the televised NOLA French Quarter Festival and participate in a recording session used for local fundraising.
- Kearney, Neb.: The Texas Tech Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble will perform at the Great Plains Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
