Gib Denman's legacy strong at UTSA

The Brackenridge Foundation has created the Gilbert M. Denman, Jr. Opera Endowment in the UTSA Department of Music to advance the development of the University’s vocal and opera programs.

Denman was a founding trustee of the Brackenridge Foundation, and the Foundation established this endowment to honor his lifelong interest in opera and his commitment to the educational opportunities for students at UTSA.

“I know that Gilbert would be pleased that this endowment bearing his name will enhance opportunities for young people at UTSA in the Music Department to develop their skills and experience in opera and the vocal arts,” said Brackenridge Trustee Emily Thuss.

According to UTSA President Ricardo Romo, the endowment will help the Department of Music expand its young opera program, provide stable funding for opera activities, enhance the university’s proposed doctor of musical arts degree program in performance and pedagogy, choral conducting, and help establish UTSA as a leader in vocal studies in the region.

“Our Department of Music is emerging as one of the best music programs in the region,” said Dr. Romo, “and we are particularly proud of our students and faculty in the vocal area. We are pleased to have Gilbert Denman’s name forever associated with such a fine program, and I believe he would be very proud of that association. He was a true friend to UTSA.”

Dr. Eugene Dowdy, chair of the Department of Music, is already envisioning how his students and Dr. William McCrary, director of the UTSA Lyric Theatre will benefit from the Brackenridge Foundation gift, one of the largest the music program has ever received.

“Bill has a very artistic and sensitive approach to lyric theatre,” said Dr. Dowdy. “This will provide him much-needed support for scenery construction, costume design and other expenses related to a major opera production. Up until now, Bill has been a one-man act in raising up the level of this important program – even building sets in his garage at home, so this generous endowment will be a real boost to our program.

"We are so grateful to Brackenridge Foundation trustees Leroy G. Denman, Jr. and Emily Denman Thuss for such a wonderful tribute to Gilbert Denman and for being so supportive of UTSA."

2/6/06

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