Ferguson’s final concert to feature piece composed by alumnus
May 22, 2015 - Ferguson Junior High Orchestra鈥檚 grand finale, May 26, will conclude with a piece written especially for the concert by Ferguson alumnus Victor Musasia.
Victor just finished his freshman year at the University of North Texas and wrote 鈥淭itans Last Stand鈥 to honor his junior high as it finishes its final year.
Ferguson will close at the end of the school year and its students will consolidate with Ousley Junior High next year. (Read more about Ferguson closing.) But the orchestra has one last concert, May 26th, at 7 p.m., in Bowie High School Auditorium. Everyone is welcome to attend and help celebrate the legacy of Ferguson.
When Ferguson Orchestra director Mary Cliborn approached Victor about playing one of the songs he wrote while in junior high at the upcoming concert, he said, 鈥淣o, I want to write one last song for Ferguson.鈥
Two of Victor's pieces were performed while he was a student at Ferguson. In eighth grade, when the orchestra performed his piece 鈥淒ance (GTG),鈥漋ictor and Cliborn switched places 鈥 Victor conducted and Mrs. Cliborn played cello. The piece was extremely well-received and continues to be played regularly by Ferguson musicians.
Victor鈥檚 newest piece incorporates elements of 鈥淒ance鈥 as it conveys the struggle of the Titan (Ferguson鈥檚 mascot). 鈥淎ll my orchestra pieces have a story behind them,鈥 Victor explained. The piece begins slow, warm and inviting and quickly shifts to upbeat and dramatic. The middle incorporates extended technique to signify the Titan fighting for his life. In the end the Titan dies (just as Ferguson will close) and the piece concludes with a eulogy.
Though Ferguson is closing, Victor, and thousands of others, are the living legacy of the school and its outstanding teachers. For Victor, the music program opened doors and set him on his career path.
鈥淚 honestly think I wouldn鈥檛 be where I am today if it wasn鈥檛 for Mrs. Cliborn and my choir director, Mr. Cooley,鈥 Victor said. Cliborn was the one who encouraged him to write music and played his first piece in seventh grade. Today Victor is a straight-A college student majoring in computer science with a minor in music. He is planning for a career in music software development, while writing film scores on the side.
鈥淲e all really loved orchestra,鈥 Victor said about his time at Ferguson. 鈥淢rs. Cliborn was an amazing teacher and we really just appreciated her鈥 In eighth grade we collected money and bought her her own electric violin that everyone in orchestra signed. That was one of the pinnacle moments,鈥 Victor recalled.
Victor continues to make music with friend and fellow Ferguson alumna Caitlynn Reeves under the name My Avenue West. Click to listen to one of their most recent songs featuring another AISD alumna Adriana Medina.