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Middle School Jazz Ensemble

Conductor

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Erika R. Uribe

Performer Details

Performer Bio Synopsis

Vela Jazz I, from Moises V. Vela Middle School in Harlingen, Texas, is under the direction of Erika R. Uribe. Named after the late Honorable Moises V. Vela, Vela Jazz I honors Judge Vela, a local county judge who resided in Harlingen, and his wife Mary Jo’s legacy of commitment to community involvement by performing at a variety of community events. All jazz band members must be enrolled in the honors band class, jazz class, and attend rehearsals outside the school day. Membership is competitive. Premiering in the Spring of 2014, Vela Jazz I has consistently received superior ratings, numerous outstanding soloist awards, individual honors, and section awards in large ensemble competition. The group has been named the middle school division champion on multiple occasions at the Texas A&M University - Kingsville Jazz Festival (2014, 2016, 2019); the McAllen Jazz Festival (2014, 2015, 2017); and the Rio Grande Valley Jazz Festival (2019). In May 2019, Vela Jazz I was recognized as the 2019-2020 TMEA/TJEA Invited Middle School Jazz Ensemble. On February 13th, 2020, Vela Jazz I performed at Stars at Night Ballroom 3&4, with Special Guest Wycliffe Gordon at the 100th Annual Texas Music Educators Association Clinic and Convention in San Antonio, Texas. This is the first invitation for Vela Jazz I to perform at The Midwest Clinic.

Vela Jazz I

Conductor's Bio

Erika R. Uribe is entering her fifteenth year of teaching and serves as the Associate Director at Moises V. Vela Middle School with the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District. Before Harlingen, Miss Uribe served as Assistant Director at Roma High School and taught within the Roma Independent School District. A native of Harlingen, Miss Uribe received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the Baylor University School of Music, where she studied trumpet, brass pedagogy, jazz education, and conducting with Barry Hopper, Wiff Rudd, Alex Parker, and Dr. Kevin L. Sedatole. At Moises V. Vela Middle School, Miss Uribe directs the Vela Jazz I, Jazz II, Jazz III and instructs the Beginner Band in jazz literature. Additionally, Miss Uribe’s duties include beginner trumpet, beginner euphonium/tuba, assisting beginner saxophone, directing the Symphonic Band I, Symphonic Band II, and assisting with the Honors Band. Bands under Miss Uribe have received superior ratings at the Texas UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluation and various festivals. Jazz bands under Miss Uribe have earned top honors at the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Jazz Festival, the McAllen Jazz Festival, and the Rio Grande Valley Jazz Festival. In May 2019, Miss Uribe’s Vela Jazz I earned the title of the 2019-2020 TMEA/TJEA Invited Middle School Jazz Ensemble and performed at the 100th Annual Texas Music Educators Association Clinic and Convention with special guest artist, Wycliffe Gordon. Miss Uribe serves as a jazz clinician and jazz adjudicator. Recently she had the honor of being named a fellow in the inaugural H. Robert Reynolds Conducting Institute at The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic and the inaugural Art of Rehearsing and Conducting Workshop at The Texas Bandmasters Association Convention. Miss Uribe’s professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Jazz Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association and Jazz Education Network.

Additional Directors

Additional Conductor Image

Estella Monasmith

Additional Conductor Image

Desi Limon

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