Huston-Tillotson University Music Students Selected for Prestigious Summer Chamber Music Festival in Tuscany, Italy
Wednesday Jul, 02 2025
Austin, TX – (July 2, 2025) – Huston-Tillotson University proudly announces that four of its music majors have been selected to participate in the prestigious Summer Music in Tuscany chamber festival, held in the historic hill town of Sarteano, Italy. This remarkable opportunity is the result of a competitive audition process and reflects the students’ dedication, artistic excellence, and global ambition.
Marlyn Martinez, a senior bassoonist from Atlanta, Georgia; Isaiah Howard, a junior horn performance major from Hollywood, Florida; Jadon Porter, a senior bassoonist from Beaumont, Texas; and Endia Sparks-Hardy, a junior pianist and clarinetist also from Hollywood, Florida, will represent Huston-Tillotson University this July as part of the Festival Artist program. Their participation marks a significant milestone not only in their musical journeys but also in the university’s growing international footprint in the arts.
The Summer Music in Tuscany chamber festival, held July 14–29, 2025, is a world-class summer program for advanced instrumentalists, vocalists, and composers. Set in the heart of southern Tuscany, the program offers a transformative two-week residency where students receive one-on-one private lessons, perform in chamber ensembles, participate in masterclasses, and appear in public concerts—all under the guidance of acclaimed international faculty. Participants are immersed in the local culture, surrounded by the medieval architecture, scenic vineyards, and artistic heritage that define the Tuscan experience.
For Marlyn, Isaiah, Jadon, and Endia, this is more than an invitation to perform—it’s a passport to grow. In Italy, they will engage deeply with music-making at the highest level, work alongside gifted peers from around the world, and be mentored by professionals dedicated to shaping the next generation of artists. Their training will include formal lessons, rehearsals, and performances, as well as opportunities to record their work, explore historic sites, and take part in curated cultural outings across the Italian countryside.
“This is an honor that reflects the passion and promise of our music students,” said Dr. William Oliver, Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music Education at HTU. “Each of these students has worked to refine their craft, and this international invitation is a powerful affirmation of their talent and dedication. It also speaks to the mission of Huston-Tillotson University—to produce leaders who are both culturally aware and creatively inspired.”
For Marlyn and Jadon, whose bassoon playing has anchored HTU chamber ensembles for the past few years, this trip represents a culmination of their undergraduate journey and a launchpad for future aspirations as they prepare to enter the music classroom as educators. For Isaiah Howard and Endia Sparks-Hardy, music performance majors, this immersive experience is a window into the demand of the profession.
Together, these four student-artists embody the excellence of HTU’s Music Department and the rich potential of historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to contribute to global artistic exchange. Their participation in the Summer Music in Tuscany chamber festival will not only sharpen their musicianship—it will expand their worldview, elevate their confidence, and remind the international music community that excellence knows no bounds.
They will depart from Austin in mid-July, travel to Rome, and continue on to Sarteano by train and shuttle to begin their residency. While in Italy, they will perform in public concerts, dine in ancient castles, visit regional wineries (to look at grapes lol), and walk the same cobbled streets once traveled by Renaissance masters—all while proudly representing Huston-Tillotson University’s Music Department and the greater Austin community. As HTU continues to invest in international learning experiences, this milestone sets a precedent for future generations of students to pursue excellence not just in the classroom or the concert hall, but on the world stage.
If you would like to support their travel, you can do so here: CLICK HERE
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About Huston-Tillotson University
Huston-Tillotson University, the first institution of higher education in Austin, Texas, has roots dating back to 1875. Huston-Tillotson University is an independent, church-related, historically Black, four-year liberal arts institution located on a 23-acre tree-lined campus near downtown in East Austin. Huston-Tillotson University’s mission is to nurture a legacy of leadership and excellence in education, connecting knowledge, power, passion, and values. The University offers associate and master’s degrees in addition to Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in more than 19 areas of study. Huston-Tillotson University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
