In the fall of 2008, the Butler School of Music launched an outreach initiative to send performances by outstanding faculty and students to regions of Texas near and far as part its long-term strategy for attracting the State’s brightest and most talented music students. Selected to kick off the outreach effort was Victoria, Texas native Philip Welder (Senior, percussion performance), who has wowed audiences with his virtuosic marimba playing.
With the objective of drawing in the middle and high school set, College of Fine Arts Advisory Council member Charlotte Narboni set an enticing and whimsical tone for the outreach project, dubbing the series of school visits and house concerts the “Magical Marimba Madness Tour.” Hundreds of students flocked to each of the concerts hosted in the homes of Advisory Council members Dr. Jeffrey Glass in San Antonio, Barbara and Jay Lack in Victoria, and Fredericka and David Middleton in Hondo
From the time he was approached about the tour in February, Philip Welder made the outreach project a priority. Rather that reuse material from recent recitals or auditions, Philip created a program of new and familiar material specifically geared to an audience of young, aspiring percussionists. Steve Reich’s “Pieces for Wood,” challenging both for its length as well as its complexity, enraptured the young audiences. It was a revelation to all in attendance that such fantastic music was composed for instruments that could be acquired from the scrap lumber pile at Home Depot!
In addition to superb artistry and command of his instrument, Philip Welder demonstrated the importance of musical collaboration. Rather than set out across Texas by himself, Philip made the decision early on to involve the others in the UT Percussion Studio, including two childhood friends from Victoria, as well as one of the event hosts. The highlight of the house concert in San Antonio was Philip’s performance of Eric Ewazen’s Concerto for Marimba and String Orchestra with San Antonio host and Butler School alumnus Dr. Jeffrey Glass playing the piano reduction. The result was a well-rounded and entertaining concert for all.
What was clear from each concert appearance was that Philip strongly connected with his audience. The students from San Antonio, well versed in music theory and with a few years of playing under their belts, fell into an impromptu jam session of jazz standards at the marimba and Dr. Glass’s piano. In Victoria, parents of Philip Welder and friends enjoyed a splendid homecoming where they were able to show off newfound skills and knowledge. In Hondo, children and parents alike were touched that the UT Butler School of Music would bring such a performance to their agrarian community and picked up materials to learn more about how to be involved through camps and ultimately through application to the University.
The most important outcome of the tour was this connection between The University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Music and the bright and talented students of Texas. At each performance, Philip Welder fully engaged his audience. He explained each piece in terms of its thematic elements, traits of the composers, and history of the percussion instruments he played. Philip concluded each concert with a time for questions and answers from the audience, assuring that everyone had a chance to voice their thoughts to which he provided thorough and thought-provoking responses.
Perhaps most touching moment was during the visit to Little Flower Catholic School in San Antonio. There, Philip Welder composed a piece for the grade school children. Dividing the room into four sections, he had them put their hands together to imitate the sounds of an oncoming rain storm, beginning with the pitter patter of a few isolated rain drops, then picking up speed and intensity, and finally tapering off to silence. The result—pure magic.