TFMC District VI Clubs

Opus 64 Music Teachers Club, Austin

President Sue Bachus

TFMC District VI includes 5 festival districts in the greater Austin and San Antonio areas. Originally, District 6-1 served both Austin and north San Antonio teachers. It grew to be the largest festival in Texas with more than 800 festival entries. In 2015, the decision was made to divide District 6-1 and to form the Austin area District 6-4.

In the fall of 2015, approximately 20 music teachers in the greater Austin area District 6-4 organized the Opus 64 Music Teachers Club. The District 6-4 festival is typically held every year in March. Events usually include piano, ensembles, strings, percussion, vocal, and theory.

Our experienced festival judges can accommodate in-person festivals as well as video submissions. Most students prefer the atmosphere of an in-person festival, but we are also sensitive to the needs of students who have health issues or are concerned about contracting Covid or flu.

Austin music teachers who would like to join our congenial group of professional music teachers are welcome to contact Sue Bachus, District 6-4 Festival Chair.

Festival theory practice tests and answer sheets are available on the NFMC website: https://www.nfmc-music.org/festival/. Click on this link. Then scroll down to the bottom of the section titled Festival Forms.

Posting from 6/22/23: See Photos page for information about our newest President’s Cup recipient, Christine Tian.

Music Club Austin (formerly Wednesday Morning Music Club)

President Elisabeth Moreno

Having just completed its centennial celebration (1923-2023) Music Club Austin proudly enters its SECOND century of service to the local music community and beyond. This year’s programming will focus on PARTNERSHIPS by trying to maximize our connectedness with other music and arts focused organizations. We’ve become a business sponsor of KMFA, Austin’s 24 hour classical music station and opened up an alliance with the Armstrong Community Music School which provides lifelong access to the musical arts for all members of the community through instruction and performance opportunities at all age and skill levels.

In conjunction with Opus 64 Music Teachers Club, we will be co-hosting District VI’s annual conference on Saturday, October 26th. (Stay tuned for more details.) This March 19th we will be hosting the biennial Fielder Vocal Career Advancement Grant Competition. Check our website for an application (www.musicclubasutin.org), and recommend it to any aspiring vocalists you know.

If you’re in Austin, don’t forget the door is always open to our monthly meetings, the first Wednesday of each month at 10 am at the First Unitarian Universalist Church on Grover Avenue. We feature programming by club members, invited guests and at our Spring Luncheon, the inspired performances of our high school scholarship award winners. Supporting young artists is one of the very best ways we act on our vision statement: To share the gift of music with each other and the community at large and to encourage and support aspiring young musicians.

Posting from 7/5/23: The Music Club Austin YouTube channel is now live, thanks to member Brian Grothues. You can watch the fabulous performances by our high school winners at the spring luncheon and share with friends.  The video is outstanding -- start to finish. Here's the link:  https://youtu.be/W9Uf4_wrPNI. Enjoy!

Arpeggio Festival Music Club, San Antonio

President Judy Gorrell

The Arpeggio Festival Music Club became a TFMC Senior Club in the fall of 2013.  The club serves TFMC teachers that are in the area of Northwest San Antonio and Boerne. It was established to host the annual TFMC District 6-3 Festival, which is held on the last Saturday of January each year. The TFMC District 6-3 festival is held every year at Arpeggio Music Academy, which is large enough to accommodate judging for piano, vocal, string, guitar events, and the Theory Test; it also has a warm-up room. If you are a Festival teacher in our area and would like your students to have the opportunity to be judged, you are welcome to contact Judy Gorrell.

Crownridge Music Club, San Antonio

President Sherri Stricker

Crownridge Music Club in San Antonio was established in 2008. This active and growing club serves teachers and musicians in and around the San Antonio metro area. Activities include regular general meetings, an annual brunch, educational programs, and the District 6-2 Festival, which is usually held in February each year. This annual Gold and Silver Cup Festival event includes various performance and musicality events for piano, flute, voice, harp, and guitar. If you would like more information about joining our dynamic group, please email the club at cmcsatex@gmail.com.

Russian Ukrainian Overtones Senior Music Club

President Yulia K. Hanna

Established in 2007 and became a Senior club in 2017.
At District 6-1, we take pride in the vibrant tapestry of cultures represented within our community, bringing together four unique studios: Crystal Music Academy in Pflugerville, Luna Studio in Austin, Jenny Yang Violin Studio in Cedar Park, and the Russian Ukrainian Overtones Senior Music Club in Austin. Our diverse backgrounds enrich the music education experience at Russian Overtones, fostering a collaborative spirit that enhances learning and creativity.

We warmly invite both members and teachers to join us for our monthly meetings, held on the last Saturday of each month at 6 PM at 12885 Research Blvd, Austin, TX. These gatherings create a welcoming environment where everyone can connect, share their musical journeys, and enjoy delicious refreshments. It's a fantastic opportunity to engage with fellow music lovers and learn more about our programs.

Our studios offer a wide range of musical opportunities, from piano solos and ensembles to concertos, singing ensembles, and instrumental studies in violin, viola, guitar, and percussion. We also emphasize essential skills through theory, sight reading, and improvisation. These activities not only nurture a love for music but also instill discipline and skill development in our students.

We are proud of the consistent success and high level of participation our students display in competitions, which reflect our unwavering commitment to excellence in music education. Join us in celebrating the joy of music and the strength of our community at District 6-1, where every voice is valued, and every note matters!

Etude Music Club of San Antonio

President Lois Armor

Gonzales Music Study Club

President Vida Burnett

New Braunfels Music Study Club

President Robbie Borchers

TFMC District VI Officers (7/ 1/2023 - 6/30/2025)

President Virginia Kniesner

1st Vice President Janie Keys

2nd Vice President Judy Gorrell

Treasurer John Isaacks

Recording Secretary Lois Armor

Historian Johnana Clark

Parliamentarian Angela Smith

TFMC District VI Festival Chairs

6-1 Dr. Huiyoung Chun

6-2 Mark Camaan

6-3 Mike Gorrell

6-4 Sue Bachus

6-5 Carol Feist

TFMC District VI History Highlights

2007-2011 – District 6 Festival Chair was Johnana Clark.  All Festivals were held at Texas State University, except for 2008.  In 2008, the Festival was held at Trinity University in San Antonio because of a scheduling conflict with Texas State.

2011 – 2014 – District 6 Festival Chair was Mary Thomason.  All Festivals were held at Texas State University.

2008 – Crownridge Music Club, District 6-2, was established in San Antonio. Festivals held in the UTSA Music Building and also at San Antonio College. The other Festival District is now called 6-1.

2013 – District 6-3 was established, hosted by Arpeggio Festival Music Club in San Antonio.  Festivals are held at Arpeggio Music Academy.

2011  - 2014 – District 6-1 Festival Chair was Mary Thomason.  Festivals were held at Texas State University.

2015 – present, except for 2023 - Judy Gorrell served as Festival Chair of 6-1.  In 2023, the Chair was Spencer Gremmer. The Festival has always been held at Texas State University.

2015 – District 6-4 was established by splitting District 6-1 into two Festival Districts.  The 6-4 Festivals are held in Austin at Bachus Conservatory and also at Texas State University.

2022 – District 6-5 was established.  Carol Feist is Festival Chair.  Festivals are being held at Hope Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas.

For more information about the history of the Texas Federation of Music Clubs, please go to https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/texas-federation-of-music-clubs.