WT’s First World Music Festival to Feature American Music, WT Alumnus

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — West Texas A&M University’s inaugural World Music Festival will feature a special performance by a world-renowned clarinetist and Buff alumnus.

John Tegmeyer, a 2004 graduate who has played with the likes of composer Hans Zimmer and hip-hop star Common, will perform “Freebirds” by Scott McAllister with the WT Symphony Orchestra at the close of the festival concert.

The concert will begin at 5:30 p.m. April 27 in Mary Moody Northen Recital Hall on WT’s Canyon campus. Admission is free.

The WT School of Music’s inaugural installment will focus on American music, said festival director Mila Abbasova.

“We want to celebrate all cultures around the globe eventually, but we’re starting with American composers’ music performed by some talented musicians from around the country and in our own backyard,” Abbasova said.

Future festivals will feature the music of Italy, England, Australia and more.

Also featured in the inaugural festival will be the WT Brass Quintet performing “Iron Horse” by Kevin McKee; soprano Sarah Beckham-Turner and clarinetist Doug Storey performing “Four Songs” by Willard Roosevelt, and the Symphonic Band performing “Rocky Point Holiday” by Ron Nelson, “Soul” by Kevin Day and “Shenandoah” by Omar Thomas.

Brass Quintet members include Dr. Guglielmo Manfredi, professor of music and horn player; Dr. William Takacs, professor of music and trumpet player; David Lough, instructor and trumpet player; Dr. Jeremy Lewis, professor of music and tuba player; and Dr. John Shanks, associate professor of music and trombone player.

Beckham-Turner is an assistant professor of voice and director of WT Opera. Storey is an associate professor of music.

Tegmeyer is an in-demand session musician who has contributed to a wide array of film and TV soundtracks, solo artist recordings and live ensemble performances.

He has recorded and performed with many notable artists, including Common, Prince, Snoop Dogg, Black Thought, Pomplamoose, Alan Silvestri, Hans Zimmer, and Peter Erskine, and played on soundtracks including “Crazy Rich Asians,” “Empire,” “Euphoria,” “Queens” and “The Morning Show.”

With his own groups, Tegmeyer offers original compositions that seamlessly incorporate elements from diverse styles, from post-bop jazz to impressionist classical, world fusion to funk groove. His solo performances showcase innovative techniques and dynamic orchestrations that invite the listener to experience the clarinet in fresh and unexpected ways.

Fostering an appreciation of the arts is key mission of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign’s new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised more than $160 million.

About West Texas A&M University

WT, a Regional Research University, is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

—WT—