The illustrious moment of crossing the stage is something many college students strive for. A place that requires hard work and dedication to reach. Each degree path has different requirements in order to obtain a bachelor’s degree. For senior music education major, Jonathan Melendez, one of those requirements is a senior recital.
Taking place Nov. 25, from the studio of Nancy Taylor Ph.D., was Melendez’s trumpet senior recital with Patricia Ann Provencio as well as performances with the UTEP Orange Trumpet Ensemble.
The show began with Melendez playing “Trumpet Concerto” in E Major, then moved on to “From Water Music, Suite No. 2” in D Major, with fellow music major Diego Enriquez joining in with the piccolo trumpet.
A short intermission ensued and then the show was back on in full force with trumpet players, Jesus Escobar, Diego Enriquez, Dominick Rojas, Nik Olsen and trumpet/fluegelhorn player Brianna Yepez joining Melendez for “Durrenhorn Passage.”
To close the show Melendez performed from “Variations on Carnival of Venice” which was shortly followed by a standing ovation from the audience.
“Amazing playing, a good variety of music in the program, his playing is fluid, he plays with outstanding technique, he’s an excellent musician. It was really exciting, just enjoyable to listen to,” said audience goer Betty Montilla.
Melendez began playing the trumpet in fifth grade and has been practicing for this recital over the course of three months.
“I’m just very relieved to have that over with, I had a lot of fun, I thought I played very well, there’s always room for improvement but I was very happy with my performance,” Melendez said.
The recital is in partial fulfillment of a bachelor’s degree in music education, making it all the more significant.
“It’s a culmination of all his school that he has done here, I’m so proud of him being at UTEP and I’m happy with the program and what they offer these kids and how they prepare them to get to this level from where they start off from when they first get here, it’s a wonderful thing,” said Robert Melendez, father of Jonathan Melendez.
After graduation, Melendez hopes to go into a career of teaching, specifically high school band.
“I’m super excited for it, to get out in the world and teach,” Melendez said. “Hopefully high school, I would love to teach high school.”
This musical conclusion of the night marks a bright symphonic future for all the future grads involved in this senior recital.
Joel Molina is a staff photographer and may be reached at [email protected].
Dena Kay Jones • Dec 11, 2023 at 9:27 AM
Thank you, Joe, for capturing the excitement of our colleague’s recital and future lying ahead. It means so much that you took an interest in what we all are trying to achieve at UTEP Music! ????❤️