Testimonials

It has been our greatest honor to work with the students and families of Midland and Odessa, Texas, sharing the love of music and bringing inspiration to so many students.

At our music school in Midland-Odessa, Texas we have seen so many students develop into fine musicians. Some have gone on to music careers and many have taken their love for music into their lives in diverse ways. All have been given the opportunity to learn not only the benefits of music itself but also the many life-lessons it provides.

We have watched our students grow in intangible ways such as daily discipline, long-range planning, learning how to collaborate with others, patience, respectfulness, confidence…the list goes on. Those who have studied with us seem to have also excelled in their school studies. Indeed, music is underestimated in its capacity to develop the mind for academic success.

We have seen children with various developmental challenges come out of themselves through their musical studies and rise above the normal path. We recently had a young girl with speech problems who, during the course of studying voice, made significant progress in her abilities to communicate. Her therapist remarked at how astounding the change was.

We have seen autistic students become highly functional, and those who were emotionally withdrawn gain confidence.

We have seen students with uncontrolled energy gain discipline and finesse. We have seen those who were terrified at public performance face their fear and overcome it.

The relationships we have with our students are not momentary or passing, but many times grow into long-term and deep friendships. Our relationship with their families, many times, is also lasting. Students still send Christmas cards, having since moved away and started their own families. Decades-old relationships are still meaningful.

We have enjoyed getting to know families from a wide range of cultural backgrounds, as well. Each year, students of Indian families enjoy celebrating the Diwali (festival of lights), and our studio recently had enough students to be able to form an ensemble to play the Indian National Anthem and an Indian devotional song.

Having transcribed and arranged the materials for the Diwali that were suggested, we began rehearsing students with a wide range of skill (beginner to advanced) in a weekly ensemble, ultimately performing on the stage of our region’s preeminent concert hall (WNPAC). The families were kind enough to provide my wife and I with Indian attire as we directed the ensemble to a packed house. The community’s rousing applause and obvious approval of our presentation made it well worth the effort. Knowing that we were able to be a part of their lives in this way will stay in our memories forever. It was our honor to be a part of their community in this way.

One young man with exceptional talent had been studying with my wife. His musical abilities were growing amidst a family situation that was less than fortuitous. His father had left he and his mother to fend for themselves, and one night we got a call from him that his mother had just died in the hospital. We were the first call he made. Throughout the years, we provided direction and opportunities for him. He grew to become a successful person and respected musician. Our relationship is still meaningful every time we see him.

At our music school in Midland-Odessa, Texas we see music as much more than sound, it is relationships.

Relationships with parents, students, and their extended families are developed over time. Each week one of the parents may bring their child to a music lesson then, the next week, the other one does. Over time we get to know the student’s parents and their extended families who come to watch them perform at our recitals. Gathering students, parents, families, and friends of multiple students causes an intermingling of relationships that would not otherwise have happened.

Another way relationships form is through the interaction of students playing in ensembles with each other. Ensembles can come in a variety of formats: duets, trios, quartets and larger groups.

In one instance we had two advanced students who were both skillful in their own ways. One student was more analytical and precise, yet could develop in his ability to project energy. The other student had plenty of energy, but could use some development in the area of focus. We paired them together, and as they went through the process of working to gain uniformity in their presentation, they both learned from each other, without being aware of what was happening. The analytical student became energetic and the energetic student became more focused. This is what happens in a community environment: we learn from one another.

We had a student who was careful and thoughtful, who grew in her skills to a point we believed she was ready to teach for us. Knowing the value of helping a mature student step into the role of a teacher, we helped her get started. As she began training her young students, her own playing came up another level and her ability to teach grew. This is an axiom: when you teach, you learn. When you give out, you get back. One of the most enjoyable experiences for us is to see students who have been with us for a number of years reach a point that they can begin teaching. This is the cycle of empowerment we hope to achieve at our music school in Midland-Odessa, Texas.

When students gain autonomy, they are then capable of pursuing a lifetime of learning and developing. This is not only for their own benefit, but for teaching and developing others.

At our music school in Midland-Odessa Texas we view teaching as being a part of the flow of the history of music. Others before us gave wisdom and insight through the ages, ultimately to benefit us. But the story doesn’t stop there. We are to continue the flow to those after us. Not only is this a musical journey, but a relational one, as well.

Bringing empowerment to an upcoming generation, along with their families through the benefits of music is how relationships matter at our music school in Midland-Odessa, Texas.

Lowell Hohstadt as Educator

I am honored to write to you on behalf of Lowell Hohstadt, a very fine violinist, overall incredible musician and a superb composer.   I’ve had the privilege to watch Lowell mature into the fine man that he is today.   I have fond memories of graduating from Lubbock Dunbar High School, traveling to Amarillo, Texas to audition for his father, Dr. Thomas Hohstadt, who was the Conductor of the Amarillo Symphony at that time.  Without a doubt, Lowell inherited many wonderful musical traits, a relentless work ethic and amazing knowledge from both his parents in his pursuit of a musical career.  He received a humble beginning in Amarillo and went on to achieve an incredible education from Julliard – with many fabulous opportunities presented to him along the way.  I am so proud of who he is and what he has accomplished!

As a retired High School Orchestra Director in Midland, I was often times called upon to help with the Orchestra at the University of the Permian Basin.  Several times Lowell’s arrangements and commissioned works were featured.  I always found them to be challenging, fun, but most of all, delightful for the audience’s ear.  Because he’s made his home in Odessa, he would always be willing to come out and explain passages, suggest practice methods, and give the students the idea he was trying to portray.  A few titles I remember thoroughly enjoying include:

What Child is This (for full orchestra)

What Child is This, Do You See What I see? (full orchestra and SATB chorus)

Christmas Fantasy Overture (full orchestra) – so much fun to play!

Angels We Have Heard on High (Hip-hop) (full orchestra, vocal ensemble) complete with Rap)

Joy to the World (Soulful) (full orchestra and vocal ensemble) this piece was amazing!!

He is very creative, energetic, and the students had so much fun as they “stepped up” to the challenges he put in front of them.   I am delighted that Lowell is still interested in providing opportunities for young (and old) musicians to experience the joy of music making.  I’m so impressed that he is staying the course in music education.  I think he just gets better and better and will do a great job at any task he is faced with, always learning and improving on his already incredible skill.  As a truly gifted violinist in the Midland-Odessa Symphony, he is a sensitive, expressive , very technique oriented performer who definitely transfers all of that to his compositions.  He is remarkable – highly respected for his outstanding training, experiences, and the high level of expertise he demonstrates in all facets of his career.  I strongly recommend him to you.

Karen Walker McAfee,
Retired Lee High School Orchestra Director
Midland, Texas

“Very interesting and stimulating lecture!”

Maurizio Giri (Author, Electronic Music and Sound Design)

Compositions by Lowell Hohstadt

“These are strong…pieces, excellently written and show a real creative power…I like you energy and also your musical ideas which are fresh and your harmony is very fine…full of musicality…you have a wonderful ear evident in all the pieces and therefore harmonically they are uniformly fine…I wish you continued success.”

Samuel Adler (Composer, Conductor, Author, Professor, served on the faculty of the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music and the Juilliard School)

“I have on a number of occasions heard performances of music by Lowell Hohstadt by the esteemed New York City-based string quartet, the Cassat String Quartet, and I must say I find his work quite appealing, indeed.  I am pleased to hear that Mr. Hohstadt is one of the younger American composers who is composing in a musical language that, though thoroughly original and modern, is largely based on the natural acoustical precepts of tonality – making his work quite enjoyable and accessible to audiences of all levels of connoisseurship. His imagination is undeniable in his ability to depict through musical images, events and actions, drawing from many different techniques including traditional performance techniques, often writing in a modern, yet familiar folkloric style. His extensive experience as a Jullliard educated violinist makes him very familiar with the use of more extended colorful techniques such as ponticello, Bartok snaps, effective use of tremolo, glissandi, etc.  Lowell Hohstadt is an up-and-coming composer to pay attention to.”

Dr. Mark Morton
DMA, MM, BM The Juilliard School
Associate Professor of Double Bass
String Department Chair
Texas Tech University School of Music

“The voice writing was interesting in its rhythmical intricacy, its intelligent use of singable ranges and its unusual juxtaposing of the texts between the vocal parts. At times the quartet was leading the chorale and other times the chorale seemed to be leading the quartet. The instrumental writing for the quartet was also idiomatic and showed the composer’s mastery of string writing.

The overall effect was one of buoyant energy that exuded from the singers and the quartet and left the audience thrilled with the work as witnessed by a spontaneous standing ovation.

We are fortunate to have such a talented composer in our midst!”

Ronald Bennett (Odessa American review of the premier of Changing Seasons, April 20, 2013)

“Throughout the concert the various chamber groups were featured.  The first one was the Permian Basin String Quartet that played ‘Noel’ by our own Lowell Hohstadt.  This was basically a musical essay based on the familiar ‘The First Noel.’  It was original in sound, utilized the techniques of the instruments and created a piece that I would have to say was one of the highlights of the concert!” 

Ronald Bennet, review of the Midland-Odessa Symphony Christmas Concert, Dec. 10, 2014 in the Odessa American newspaper

“Lowell’s talent is unbelievable from writing music to putting the pieces together and playing.  He could have gone into the secular world and done whatever he wanted, but he chose to stay in Odessa and ply his career her.  He is amazing.”

Carmen and David Young [from an Odessa American by Bob Campbell, June 20, 2019]

“…his encore (Psalm 67), a composition of his own earned much applause by the audience.”

Hans N. Neidhardt
Music Director, Volksbildungskreis
Vienna, Austria

“…his own composition (Trilogy)…a theme which combines a subtle song and dissonance with a folkloric motif of great power, rhythm, and harmony.”

Eloy B. Mora
Cronica musical
Seville, Spain

…Lowell Hohstadt’s quintet…It is a fine work and we’re happy to have it in our library.”

Raymond Mase  American Brass Quintet

“What set the occasion apart for me was the world premiere of Lowell Hohstadt’s Violin Concerto #2…received a standing ovation…distinctive excellence of this new composition…variety in style and pace is a strong reason, among others, for the high level of interest which the Hohstadt Concerto No. 2 sustains…states his musical ideas positively…enjoys them in a charming variety of ways.”

Norman Nadel
New York World-Telegram & Sun
Scripps-Howard newspapers
Newspaper Enterprise Association

As promised here is the essay Daiwik wrote for Ivy summer school admission. I sent it to Mr. Lowell too. You may use parts or whole essay in your website too.. I loved this essay and knew instantly Daiwik would get this internship!

Please reflect on a time when you changed your opinion about another person. What was your understanding of this person previously, what caused you to see them differently, and what did you learn from this?
(300-400 words)

Kathy, my first violin teacher, had a lot to do with my love for music. She guided me with patience as I learned the basic techniques and practices. She now teaches my sister the viola, which is her main instrument. After I had performed at a recital, her husband Lowell, a violinist trained at Juilliard, heard me and made the offer to teach me.

I was afraid before our first lesson. He seemed so stern and serious, I felt like I would be drilled about everything I was doing wrong for hours. His credentials only made his demeanor more intimidating and I thought he would expect nothing less than perfection. Our first lesson together totally changed how I viewed him. He did not concentrate on perfection, instead looking past failures and seeing how my technique was developing. Even if I played an etude horribly, he would always try and look at what I did decently, then correct what I did wrong.

I remember once that I was confused on how harmonics worked, and he spent 30 minutes explaining how harmonics cut the string in half, and how these types of vibrations are found everywhere in the universe. He spoke like sound as a whole was like a living thing.

He was very patient, and his devotion for music was reflected in his stories and explanations of music itself. The quiet and stern nature that I had mistaken for coldness was really just focus, and his seriousness was due to respect for music.
First impressions can be very misleading, and quietness does not always equate to a lack of interest. Underneath his calm exterior was a kind, curious person who was totally dedicated to teaching. Ever since, I have made the effort to take first impressions lightly and listen for signs that demonstrate what someone is really like.