Austin College senior Truman Dowdy of Magnolia, Texas, will perform his Senior Recital, Saturday, April 20, at 3 p.m. in Wynne Chapel. The events are free and open to the public.
Dowdy is a music composition and East Asian Studies (Japanese) major. His recital will feature 10 compositions, all created by him.
He has been writing and performing since 6th grade, playing trombone. At Austin College, he initially studied trombone before moving to music composition as a junior. He performs with the College’s Wind Symphony and the Greater Texoma Jazz Ensemble, and is also a singer, participating in the College’s A Cappella Choir and Consort.
After graduation, Dowdy will seek Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification. He also will apply for membership in the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers and hopes to eventually compose music on commission and teach English in Japan.
“Austin College has provided an environment where I can freely explore and discover areas and topics that I might be interested in,” Dowdy said. “My activities have been wholly focused around music, but I still was able to major in Japanese, a completely unrelated major.”
Student recitals continue Sunday, April 28, with presentations by Chandler Morris and Salina DuClos.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, international study, pre-professional foundations, leadership development, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities.One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with 46 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and more than 100 expert faculty members allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. This year, the campus recognizes 100 years of co-education and has had several opportunities to recognize the history of women and accomplishments of current alumnae. Austin College is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. Founded in 1849, the College is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.