News Stories

Nathaniel Brickens has been awarded funding for a “global career launch” (international internship program) to partner with two UT alumni in Zurich, Switzerland: David Garcia, a trombonist in the Zurich Orchestra, and Bill Thomas, a trombonist in Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich. Students will receive mentorship and coaching from trombonists of these historic orchestras and will also attend auditions and performances. At the completion of the internship, students will present a trombone octet concert at a Zurich venue.

"Encouraging students to be 'small in their greatness and great in their smallness,' Thomas has an honest, modern view on composition and musical growth. He inspires students and educators alike to test boundaries, supported by a belief that people are naturally going to stumble at times when they're pioneers."

String Project student Ileana Nicholson has been performing outdoor concerts for neighbors throughout the pandemic. Nicholson and collaborator Lucy Hamre have raised over $1,000 for organizations in need.

At a time when so much of the world has been put on pause, the 2020 Rainwater Innovation Grant projects show us just how unstoppable creative energy is.

'“He’s also an open, democratic leader. If you have an idea, Billy’s default is to try to find a way to make that work, to incorporate your idea into what the group is doing. He leads by example with his playing.” Those qualities, Sprott says, will make him a great educator at UT, adding that for Black trumpet players—of which there are so few, percentage-wise—seeing someone in an authority position will move the needle for diversity and inclusion. Hunter tells me that he’s already working behind the scenes to diversify the Butler School, from student population all the way up to administration.'

Several members of the College of Fine Arts community are participating in Ofrendas, a virtual event hosted by Austin Classical Guitar (ACG) in collaboration with Mexic-Arte Museum.

Faculty members Nathaniel Brickens, Billy Hunter, Tamara Sanikidze and Darlene Wiley all receive professorships.