23
August
2022
|
11:11 AM
America/Chicago

Called to share music

Student of the Week: Adalberto Garza

“I see what I want to do and why I want to do it so clearly. I want to give students the opportunities that I had and have an impact on their lives. Music is something they can take with them throughout all levels of education.”
 

STC Student of the Week Adalberto Garza

With a dream of passing along his passion for music to Rio Grande Valley students, Adalberto Garza is turning to South Texas College to help him first create a solid academic foundation.

Garza is working on completing his basic courses such as Spanish, College Algebra and Psychology on the Starr County campus, which is close to his home.

Garza, a 2021 Rio Grande City High School graduate, said he has felt a connection to music since he was a young child.

“I’d tap my foot to tempos when I was little,” Garza said. “I still remember to this day, I was at a party, and I was tapping the palms of my hands against my legs during a song. My mom noticed and asked if I was okay, and I told her I was fine. I just loved hearing the beat and the rhythm.”

When the Rio Grande City school district conducted the annual music program recruitment, Garza passed the music training. But, he was hesitant about picking an instrument to play. Band director Rodolfo Barrera led him to the brass section.

“From the moment I held the trumpet and blew into the mouthpiece, I loved it,” Garza said. “I love playing the trumpet and I loved participating in town events with the band.”

Garza has played the trumpet for eight years now. It was his high school achievements and admiration for, the now-retired, Barrera that made him want to major in music.

“I look up to him a lot and he is the reason I wanted to come to college,” Garza said. “I want to be like him and have the (teaching) experiences he had.”

One high school moment was especially meaningful to Garza. He played at an event attended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials, and was told his performance moved the agents.

“I played Taps (military bugle call) for them, and they loved it,” Garza said. “One official said it gave him hope for the future. It makes you feel proud.”

And, he carries his own hope to one day give back to his community as a music educator and be a part of the upbringing he experienced in his close-knit town.

“I see what I want to do and why I want to do it so clearly,” Garza said. “I want to give students the opportunities that I had and have an impact on their lives. Music is something they can take

with them throughout all levels of education. And, I believe a person that impacts a student can play a major part throughout their high school or college years. Maybe throughout their life.”

The STC music program prepares students for a career in music education or music performance. An associate degree in music will establish a foundation in music theory, music literature, applied instrumental and voice lessons, piano proficiency and participation in solo performances, as well as various music ensembles. These foundational studies are in preparation and designed for transferability to higher education institutions for students wishing to complete a bachelor’s degree.

For more information on STC’s Music program, visit  https://www.southtexascollege.edu/academics/music/.