Texas Border Business
San Juan, Texas – A PSJA Early College High School senior has been accepted to the prestigious Philadelphia International Music Festival’s (PIMF) Solo Performance Prep Program. Daniel Hernandez is one of only eight high school students in Texas and the only one from PSJA ISD selected to participate in the program taking place June 16-29, 2018 in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.
The PIMF Program is by audition only program designed for advanced student musicians, 13-19 years of age, preparing for upcoming solo performances or competitions. Designed for students prepared to spend 7 or 14-days in intense music training, this unique program includes: three-five weekly hour-long private lessons with world-class faculty, including principal players from The Philadelphia Orchestra and daily solo performance classes; daily chamber music rehearsals; daily thirty-minute workouts with a faculty accompanist, to name a few.
Through his participation in PIMF this summer, Hernandez will be one of only 22 students in the nation to have the opportunity to engage in exclusive lessons with several members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. In addition, the senior will be training for the prestigious music festival and competing in two concerto competitions. Winners get to perform duo concertos with members of The Philadelphia Orchestra or as soloists with the Ocean City Pops Orchestra.
According to Hernandez, he first found out about the program through his Band Directors Amanda Perea and John Garza who played a key role in his passion for music.
To be selected, Hernandez had to submit recordings of him playing two pieces along with specific scales including the “Third Movement of Grand Duo Concertant” by Weber and the “Second Movement of the Mozart Concerto.”
Hernandez’ Band Director John Garza says Hernandez is much deserving of this opportunity.
“I am very proud of this young man,” said Garza. “Daniel is an excellent musician and is extremely worthy of this amazing award. He is an outstanding student musician and he will definitely represent PSJA Early College High School well.”
For Hernandez, he looks forward to participating in the program and is grateful for all the opportunities he has received while at PSJA.
“As a future music major, this will give me a big advantage on college and professional applications,” said Hernandez, who graduated with an Associate Degree from South Texas College on Friday, May 11. “Thank you to my band directors who have shaped me into the musician I am today.”
Hernandez will be attending Texas A&M University-Kingsville where he will major in Music Education and Performance. His ultimate goal is to attend The Juilliard School for his graduate education and teach music at the university level.
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