Los Fresnos HS Alumnus Receives Music Educator Scholarship

Special to Los Fresnos News

San Antonio, Texas – The Texas Bandmasters Association recently named Eduardo Garcia Jr. recipient of the 2017 Malcolm Helm Endowed Memorial Scholarship. Raised in Los Fresnos, Texas and currently a student at The University of Texas in Austin, Eduardo will be formally recognized at the annual TBA Convention/Clinic in San Antonio, Texas this summer.

The recipient of the Malcolm Helm Memorial Endowed Scholarship is an outstanding undergraduate wind or percussion player who is majoring in music education at a Texas public or private college or university. The scholarship was named for Texas school band director Malcolm Helm. Long after becoming ill, Helm continued to serve his beloved profession  tirelessly with the same  uncompromising commitment to service and excellence exhibited throughout an illustrious 23-year career. Following his death in March 1993, the TBA Executive Board established the scholarship to be supported by an endowment funded by donations from friends and colleagues.  During a time of escalating costs in higher education, TBA sees this scholarship as an opportunity to assist talented, promising college students as they prepare for the teaching profession.

Tax-deductible donations of  any amount are welcome. Scholarship donations may be made by sending a check or money order to Texas Bandmasters Association, 1002 Central Parkway South, San Antonio, Texas 78232. Contributors may name someone to honor on a birthday, anniversary, holiday, or just to say a special thank you. For more information, visit the TBA web site – www.texasbandmasters.org.

The Texas Bandmasters Association is made up of persons working in or retired from the music education profession. TBA promotes the value of music education in our society and the important role instrumental music plays in our cultural, intellectual and social lives. This year, TBA is celebrating their 70th annual Convention/Clinic. Over six thousand band directors, music teachers, and university music students from across the state will attend the convention July 20-22 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. The schedule includes over 60 educational clinics, numerous concerts and performance demonstrations, and an Exhibit Hall with approximately 650 vendors presenting the latest products from leaders in the music industry. T­he TBA website offers more information on the Convention/Clinic and an extended catalog of educational material for band directors, music teachers and students.

Eduardo Garcia Jr. is a fourth year senior at The University of Texas Austin. He is pursing a degree in Instrumental Music Studies with the hopes of being a secondary school band director post graduation.

Eduardo is the son of Eduardo and Emilia Garcia and grew up in Los Fresnos, Texas in the Rio Grande Valley. Band played a large part of his high school years. He was part of the high school wind ensemble, served as Drum Major, and was a three-time TMEA All State Band member.

Now at UT, Eduardo is very involved in the Butler School of Music. He is a current section leader for the Longhorn Band, was a member of the Longhorn Pep Band, an active member of the Alpha Tau Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, and a member of the Wind Ensemble. He has been a part of the UT Wind Symphony and Symphony Band as well.

Active outside of the music school, Eduardo is the Vice President of Music in the Fine Arts Council, holds membership in the Gateway Scholars Program, and is a minister at the University Catholic Center. During time off from school, he teaches private music lessons in Los Fresnos and serves as a camp counselor for the Longhorn Music Camp.

Eduardo explains, “Music education has had a great impact on my life and it has inspired me to grow as a musician. I’m forever grateful for the Texas Bandmasters Association for this award and I can’t wait to see what is in store!”