Gilbert Garza

Dr. Gilbert Garza Jr is a saxophonist and educator whose work encompasses classical saxophone performance, pedagogy, and the music of Latin America. He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Saxophone Performance from The University of Iowa, where he studied with Dr. Kenneth Tse and completed his recording thesis, Music from Latin America. His artistic and academic interests include the performance and study of saxophone repertoire from Latin America and the ways in which cultural and historical contexts inform the development of the classical saxophone repertoire. He also holds a Master of Music degree in Saxophone Performance from The University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Music Studies degree with EC–12 Texas All-Level Certification from Texas State University.

Dr. Garza has received numerous honors for his artistry, including first prize in the 2019 Concurso Panamericano en el Encuentro Universitario Internacional de Saxofón in Mexico City. He was a finalist in the 2017 and 2018 Iowa Concerto Competitions and a semifinalist in the 2016 North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) Solo and Quartet Competition.

As an educator, Dr. Garza is committed to developing versatile, independent musicians and fostering a strong foundation in performance, musicianship, and pedagogy. His students have earned TMEA All-State honors, competed successfully in concerto competitions, and gained admission to competitive graduate programs. Dr. Garza currently serves as Lecturer of Saxophone at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.