HARMONIZING CLASSROOMS & CONCERT HALLS: VSO's Symphony of Educators

By Dr. Kimberly Selber

Virtually every high school in the region has a band, orchestra, or mariachi—or all three. For over two decades, the Valley Symphony Orchestra (VSO) has played an instrumental role in inspiring young musical talent with its annual educational concerts that reach over 10,000 students across the Valley. Unlike many symphonies that offer abbreviated versions for students, the VSO delivers a holistic concert experience, complete with insights from Maestro Peter Dabrowski. "Our dedication to the music education program is unwavering," affirmed Dabrowski. These concerts are a unique gateway, kindling

a deep passion for music in children. Research consistently shows that students engaged in the arts not only achieve better academic outcomes but also develop enhanced collaboration and problem-solving skills.

Many VSO members are also music educators in the RGV, including principals Jennifer Miller, Zynahia MontemayorBanda, and Maestro Dabrowski. Seeing (and hearing) their teachers perform live, genuinely realizing that their directors are also professional musicians, can be incredibly inspiring for young musicians.

JENNIFER MILLER Principal (Viola)

McAllen High School Assistant Orchestra Director

Jennifer Miller began her musical journey in the seventh grade. She wanted to play the violin, but the gift of a viola and no room in the violin class changed her path. “The viola is a little bigger and a little more difficult to play,” said Miller. As a high school student, Miller planned to be a Lutheran Pastor, but by her senior year, she knew teaching was her passion. And specifically, teaching music to middle school children.

Miller attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, where she earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree. “I wanted to make sure kids learned from the very beginning to have a strong foundation— proper posture and bow hold,” Miller recalls. She moved to the Rio Grande Valley over 20 years ago for a teaching job. “Texas is probably the best state for music educators,” Miller stated. “I’ve never wanted to leave.” Today, Miller is the assistant orchestra director at McAllen High School after serving stints at Morris Middle School and Memorial High School.

As the principal Viola for the VSO,

Miller finds her leadership in building a strong section of emotionally connected musicians. “We are a mini-family within the orchestra,” she said. “There is so much comradery within the symphony,” she said fondly. “My partner is a percussionist, and my best friend is the first violin.”

Miller is also proud of the growth of the symphony over the past 20 years. “We have grown so much professionally, and we have gotten bigger. We are playing at the same caliber of esteemed symphonies elsewhere,” she said.

For her students, Miller hopes that she inspires them when they see her playing professionally. “I tell them to wave to me when they see me play,” she said. “I want them to see that it is important to continue your passion and that they can do it locally.”

ZYNAHIA MONTEMAYOR-BANDA

Co-Principal (Flute)

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln High School Head Band Director

Montemayor-Banda began playing the flute in the sixth grade. “I was so inspired. I loved the sound and the versatility. I really love to play fast and technical,” Montemayor-Banda said. Teaching was always in the cards for her. “I had a chalkboard when I was four,” she said. “I always wanted to be a teacher, so I became a music teacher.”

Armed with a bachelor’s in music from Texas State and a Master’s degree in music from Indiana University Bloomington, MontemayorBanda returned to her home in the Rio Grande Valley. “When I came home, I didn’t even know we had a symphony,” the 20-plus-year VSO veteran recalls. “Today, we are on the same level as orchestras you will find in larger cities.”

She attributes some of the VSO’s success to its permanent home at the McAllen Performing Arts Center and the audience. “The venue elevates the symphony so much, and our audiences are maturing in their appreciation for the level of music we perform,” she said.

Montemayor-Banda shares the principal flute role with fellow music educator Dr. Krista Jobson (Associate Professor, UTRGV). “We have a special relationship because of being educators,” Montemayor-Banda reflects warmly. They also share the spotlight as soloists and section leaders.

Montemayor-Banda’s most rewarding moments come from her students. “Watching introverted students begin to work confidently and become strong, beautiful people is amazing,” she said. “Expressing themselves is hard.” On the stage, her favorite memories are when the VSO plays the children’s concerts. “They go nuts with the Star Wars Concert,” she laughed. “But they are also in awe of seeing the instruments live and what they look like.”

As a music educator and performer, MontemayorBanda appreciates being in the students’ shoes. “It’s good for me to sit in their shoes,” she reflects. “The kids respect me for what I do – being an artist on and off the podium.”

“I love teaching, and I love music,” MontemayorBanda stated. “That’s a magical combination.”

LIST OF ORCHESTRA MEMBERS WHO ARE ALSO EDUCATORS

Gabriel Preusse A&M Kingsville Adjunct Professor

Benjamin Ponder (R) Brown MS/McAllen Head MS - RETIRED

Linda Chavez Brownsville ISD

Johnny Munoz Brownsville ISD

Maria Ochoa Castañeda Elementary School/MISD

Joe Luna Cathey MS/McAllen ISD Asst. MS - Orchestra

Eric Ehramjian East Side HS/Weslaco Head HS - RETIRED

Ma.Fer. Gonzalez Economedes HS/Edinburg Asst. HS - Orchestra

Philip Johnson Edinburg North HS/Edinburg Asst. HS - Band

Victor Flores (sub) Gutierrez Middle School Head MS - Orchestra

Zynahia Banda Juarez-Lincoln HS/La Joya Head HS - Band

Marvin Eagle (R) La Joya

Victor Moyeda LBJ MS/PSJA Head MS - Band

Bryan Morrell Los Cuates MS/Los Fresnos

Jen Miller McHigh/McAllen ISD Asst. HS - Orchestra

Jacob Banda Palmview HS/La Joya Head HS - Band

Victor Sanchez Pioneer HS/Sharyland Asst. HS - Band/Jazz

Adriana Olivan PSJA Early College HS/PSJA Asst. HS - Orchestra/Mariachi

Cassandra Sanchez R.Vela HS/Edinburg CISD Asst. HS - Band

Orlando Medrano Ramiro Barrera MS/Roma Asst. MS - Horn Instructor

Gabriel Hernandez Rio Grande City

Alex Martinez San Benito CISD

Omar Estrella South MS/Edinburg CISD Head MS - Orchestra

Lindsey Gamble STC Asst. Professor

Patrick Hopkins STC Asst. Professor

Melissa Vaughan STC Woodwind Instructor

Ben Coy STC Asst. Professor

Ron Schermerhorn STC

James Robertson T. Jefferson ECHS/PSJA

Scott Roeder UTRGV

Krista Jobson UTRGV

Young Sin Choi Weslaco