After graduating from high school, Myrna B. Saldaña had dreams of pursuing a degree in music education and of conducting her own symphony.
Instead, the Zapata native chose to get married and start a family.
Sixteen years later Saldaña, a wife and mother of two, has revived her dreams at Laredo Community College. And with the support and guidance of her college instructors, she has landed a coveted spot on the 2006 Texas Community College All-State Band.
Saldaña, clarinet, is among a group of LCC students who have been selected to the TCC All-State Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble. The other honorees representing Laredo are Tiffany R. Santos, clarinet; Reymundo Torres Jr., tuba; Jerry Espinoza, tenor saxophone; and Carlos Castillo, drum set.
Saldaña feels honored to have “made it to the All-State Band,” considering that it had been more than a decade since she last played her music instrument.
“It had been 16 years since I played the clarinet. However, with (LCC music instructor) Jose Compean’s belief in my talent, I persevered. His hard drive (to see me succeed) helped me with my journey,” Saldaña said. “I proved to myself that dreams do come true with determination and dedication.”
Compean, who has provided tutelage to this year’s All-State recipients from LCC through private studio lessons and as director of the college’s Show Band, indicated that the student musicians competed with their counterparts from 30 community colleges statewide.
“Laredo has a major reason to be proud of our talented LCC music students. Their accomplishment represents the highest honor a music student can achieve at the junior/community college level,” Compean said.
PROFILE OF LCC’S ALL-STATE MUSICIANS
Saldaña is a 1989 graduate of Zapata High School and is the daughter of the late Ricardo Bustamante and Enedina Bustamante. She has been married to Osiel Saldaña Jr. for 12 years. They have two daughters, Kassandra and Bryana. Myrna plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in music education.
Santos is a graduate of J.W. Nixon High School and is the daughter of Ray and Rosie Santos. The LCC freshman hopes to pursue a music education degree at the University of Houston.
Torres is a graduate of United High School and is the son of Reymundo and Patti Torres. The college sophomore looks forward to completing his music classes at LCC and continuing at a university to attain a degree in music composition.
Espinoza also is a graduate of UHS and is the son of Gerardo and Gloria Espinoza. After completing his studies at LCC, Espinoza hopes to obtain bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education.
Castillo is a graduate of Martin High School and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Castillo. He currently is a student of LCC percussion instructor Matthew Adams and has plans to pursue a degree in music education. Castillo was among a group of 10 students from community colleges across the state who vied for the exclusive opportunity to play drums.
REPRESENTING LAREDO IN THE ALAMO CITY
The LCC music students participated in the All-State Band Clinic and Convention of the Texas Music Educators Association Feb. 15-18 in San Antonio.
They participated in band rehearsals conducted by Dr. Kevin Sedatole, associate professor and director of bands at Baylor University.
Conducting the Texas Community College All-State Jazz Ensemble was Alex Parker, director of jazz studies at Baylor.
The convention featured more than 200 clinics and workshops on pedagogy and rehearsal techniques taught by leading educators from across the nation. Students also were able to check out computer-based music programs and to listen to performances by outstanding groups such as the Dallas Wind Symphony, the Shelly Berg Jazz Trio and the Baylor University Jazz Ensemble.
The LCC All-State honorees also performed in a special concert with the TCC All-State Band and Jazz Ensemble during the TMEA convention.
For more information about obtaining a music education, contact the LCC Music and Dance Department at 721-5330.
Laredo Community College students selected to the 2006 Texas Community College All-State Band were recognized by the LCC Board of Trustees during a recent meeting at LCC South. They are, from left, trustee Dr. Leonides Cigarroa Jr., Tiffany Santos, board secretary Cynthia Mares, trustee Raquel Gonzalez, Myrna Saldaña, trustee J.C. Treviño, Reymundo Torres, board president Ramiro Martinez, Jerry Espinoza, board vice-president Pete Saenz Jr., Carlos Castillo and LCC president Dr. Ramon H. Dovalina.
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