April 2018 – I have recently joined the professional group “The Four Horsemen Tuba-Euphonium Quartet“.  Keep an eye out for our performance schedule!  My debut performance with the group will be April 15, 2018 at the Midwest Regional Tuba-Euphonium Conference in Ft. Wayne, IN.  It should be a fun gig.

March 2018 – I will be presenting a lecture and recital at the 2018 South Central Regional Tuba-Euphonium Conference at Texas A&M Canyon.

August 2017 – Honored to be invited to select the 2018 TMEA All-State Etudes for Tuba.

March 2017 – I will be presenting a lecture and round table discussion on The Tuba’s Use in Banda Sinaloense music at the 2017 South Central Regional Tuba-Euphonium Conference at The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley.

January 2016 – I have been named Director of the SFA Swingn’ Jazz Ensemble.  It’s alway been my dream job to teach tuba-euphonium and direct a jazz ensemble.  Can’t wait to get started working and shedding some tunes.

June 2016 – I have been invited to perform as part of the 2016 International Tuba-Euphonium Conference.  Looking forward to traveling to UT-Knoxville!

SFA Tuba-Euphonium Studio News

Casey Stringer, Tuba.  Was named a winner of the 2018 SFA Concerto/Aria Competition.  He will perform the entire Gregson Tuba Concerto with the SFA Orchestra of The Pines next Fall.

Danny Chavera, Tuba. Advanced to the Semi-Final Round of the 201y South Central Regional Tuba-Euphonium Conference Artist Competition.

Danny Chavera, Tuba.  Advanced to the Semi-Final Round of the 2016 International Tuba-Euphonium Conference Young Artist Competition.  He will also be participating in the All-Star Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble at the 2016 ITEC.

Eutopia Quartet (Joseph Schaetz, Erasmo Herrera, Ryan Dutton, Chris Garza). Advanced to the Semi-Final Round of the 2016 International Tuba-Euphonium Conference Chamber Ensemble Competition. 

SFA Tuba-Euphonium Octet (Joseph Schaetz, Erasmo Herrera, Ryan Dutton Chris Garza, Devonta Hicks, Danny Chavera, Austin Shriver, Foster Fannin) will be performing at the 2016 International Tuba-Euphonium Conference.

 

Former Student News

April 2016 – Corey Graves (BM – Education ’07).  Has been invited to conduct his middle school band at the 2016 Midwest International Band Conference.

December 2014 – Patrick Nelson II (BM-Education ’15). Has won a position in the United States Marine Corps Commandants Own.

August 2014 – Trevor Culp (BM -Performance ’08). Congratulations to Trevor for his appointment as Principal Tubist of the Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra.

July 2014 – Daniel Paxton (BM – Education 13).  Congratulations to Danny for his acceptance into the Marine Corps music program.

August 2012 – Chris Phillips (BM – Education 13). Was awarded a Graduate Assistantship to the University of Northern Colorado.

June 2011 – Corey Graves (BM-Education ’07) . Head Director of Roma Middle School, his band has advance to TMEA State Level of  the Honor Band Selection for Region 15, Area G, 2C Middle School.  The next level will be held in late-July.  Good Luck Corey!

June 2011 – Juan Carrillo (BM-Education Senior). Was selected to participate in the 2011 International Euphonium Institute held at Emory State University in GA.

January 2011 – Trevor Culp (BM-Performance ’08). Advance to the final round of the New Jersey Symphony Principal Tuba Audition.

Professional Positions Held By Former Students of J.D. Salas

J.R. Garen (BM-Education ’10 – SFA) – Head Band Director – West Sabine High School, Pineland, TX

John Kennon (BM-Education ’09 – SFA ) – Head Band Director – McMichael Middle School, Nacogdoches, TX

Rod Naulls (BM-Education ’09 – SFA) – Head Band Director – Dekalb High School, Dekalb, TX

Jason Finnels (BM-Education ’09 – SFA) – Head Band Director – Crosby High School, Crosby, TX

Zachary Chamberlin (BM-Education ’09 – SFA) – Head Band Director – Lorena Middle School, Lorena, TX

Blake Warren (BM-Education ’09 – SFA) – Private Lesson Instructor – Keller, TX

Trevor Culp (BM-Performance ’08 – SFA) – Private Lesson Instructor – Central TX

Shaka Hawkins (BM-Education ’08 – SFA) – Assistant Band Director – Shelbyville High School, Shelbyville, TX

Corey Graves (BM-Education ’07 – SFA) – Head Band Director – Roma Middle School, Roma TX

Adam Schmitz (BM-Education ’07 – SFA) – Associate Band Director – Smith Middle School, Cy-Fair, TX

Boonchai Sawatikittkul (MM ‘ 05 – Mahidol) – Professor/Artist-In-Residence – Mahidol University & Principal Tubist – Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra

Dr. Jason Thompson (BM ‘ 05 – Transy) – Freelance Composer/Arranger in Lousiville, KY