Student Spotlight: GioGio Herrera

Congratulations to Raymond “GioGio” Herrara on a beautiful graduate recital this week!

GioGio will be graduating in May with a master’s degree in Multiple Woodwinds Performance. Originally from Texas City, Texas, he earned his undergraduate degree in Music Composition from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

While at OCU, GioGio has been an active participant in the Wind Ensemble, Wind Philharmonic, and Orchestra. He also performs with the Jazz Band, Flute Choir, Early Music Ensemble, Pit Orchestra, and a variety of small chamber ensembles.

Upon graduating, GioGio plans to perform in musical pit orchestras. He also aspires to teach woodwinds at the collegiate level. He feels that “many undergraduate music majors don’t get enough exposure to the instruments from someone who has plenty of experience on [them].” He finds that this is especially true of education majors who are unfamiliar with woodwinds. He hopes to help remedy this problem.

On Wednesday night, GioGio performed pieces on flute, bassoon, saxophone, French horn, oboe, clarinet, and bass clarinet. He played works by composers such as Mozart, Hindemith, and Muczynski. His performance featured a flute and horn duet, a bassoon solo with percussion accompaniment, and a bass clarinet duo. Join us in congratulating GioGio!