This month, the TLU School of Music welcomes internationally celebrated composers Brent Michael Davids and William Linthicum-Blackhorse, who will work with instrumental and choral students on campus. Their visit will culminate with two musical events to which the public is invited.
Dr. Douglas Boyer, Director of the School of Music, began working on this project three years ago in an effort to connect TLU students to Native American music. He commissioned a work from Davids—but he never imagined that these composers would come to Seguin. “Guest artists always bring such energy, excitement, collaboration, and artistry to campus through their work with our students,” he says. “To have two composers of this stature on campus, working with our students on their music, interacting and exchanging ideas, and attending the performances of our students is more than I could have ever dreamed.”
Davids, a member of the Stockbridge Munsee Community, a Native American tribe, will be working with the bands. He is an internationally acclaimed Indigenous composer and music warrior for Native equity and parity. He originated and co-founded the award-winning Native American Composer Apprentice Project (NACP), championing indigenous youth to compose their own music, and his works have been premiered globally.
William Linthicum-Blackhorse, a Latino-Lakota-Anglo composer who will be working with TLU’s choral students, writes music for ensembles and composers around the world. His works include a wide array of themes stemming from his cultural, environmental, and spiritual influences—namely, his heritage.
A special highlight of the visit will be the world premiere of a commissioned work of Davids’ by the TLU Bands. The work, entitled NITA, was composed in honor of Juanita Pahdopony, a dear friend of the composer who passed away in 2020. “Nita” was an accomplished scholar, artist, activist, and educator. “This new work, NITA, is a subtle work for band, not intended to be ear-splitting or bombastic,” says Davids. “It’s not brassy. It’s not a march. The entire work is marked ‘pianissimo’ or ‘extremely soft,’ except when a few select instrumental voices emerge forward from the background texture to sing a song. NITA is a cheerful and radiant work, as was Nita’s own personality.”
On April 26 at 10 a.m. the TLU Kantorei Chamber Choir and the TLU Choir will be singing two works of Dr. Linthicum-Blackhorse during the morning service in the Chapel of the Abiding Presence. That evening at 7 p.m., the community is invited to join the TLU Bands, Choirs, Orchestra, and chamber ensembles for the Prism Concert and world premiere of NITA in Jackson Auditorium. Both performances are free and open to all.