Known as both a teacher and performer, Dr. Jennifer Ratchford Sholtis has devoted her career to the horn. Born into a music-loving family, she thrived on the affection and support of her parents and grandmother as she cultivated her early musical interests. Sholtis explored those interests further in college (University of Arkansas-BM and University of Iowa-MFA, DMA) and through study abroad (Musik Hochschule in Detmold Germany), all the while exposing her to new ideas and experiences. Her greatest inspirations came from Tim Thompson, Michael Höltzel, Kristin Thelander, and Frøydis Ree Wekre.
Sholtis joined the music faculty at Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 1996. She has influenced the horn pedagogy of Texas through the numerous Javelina Horn Studio graduates, school clinics, and TMEA presentations. From her first student over 30 years ago to now, she has established herself as a teachers’ teacher. The idea of one being a mere link in a very long chain of teachers is poetic. She thrives on sharing her knowledge with her students, inspiring and encouraging them to prepare the next generation of horn players.
Prior to her appointment at Texas A&M Kingsville, Sholtis taught applied horn at Wartburg College and Truman State University. She performed as principal horn with the Cedar Rapids Symphony and frequently performed children’s concerts in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City schools and libraries with the Cedar Rapids Symphony woodwind and brass quintets. More recently, Sholtis held principal horn positions with the Victoria Symphony, Corpus Christi Symphony, Laredo Philharmonic and utility horn position with the San Antonio Symphony.
Besides teaching, Sholtis is a frequently requested adjudicator, serving on judging panels for state, regional, and international competitions. She is currently a freelancer, performing solos in recitals at yearly regional horn workshops and faculty recitals. She also performs with the Kingsville Brass Quintet and the Kleberg Quintet throughout South Texas.
jennifer.sholtis@tamuk.edu
http://www.tamukhornstudio.com/
Contact Information
Music Department
BMUS 219
MSC 174 Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Kingsville, Texas 78363-8202
voice: 361-593-2786
email: jennifer.sholtis@tamuk.edu
Personal Website: http://www.tamuk.edu/music/