Auditorium named for music instructor

By John Weyand
Staff Reporter

TCU is one step closer to becoming a global university.

When the Harold Martina Auditorium at the University of Antioquia in Medellin, Colombia, was dedicated March 21, it was another way for TCU to bridge the international gap.

Photo by David Dunai - Senior Photographer Harold Martina, a professor of music, practices piano pieces in Ed Landreth Hall. He has a recital April 23 at PepsiCo Recital Hall.

The building was named for Harold Martina, a current TCU instructor. Martina teaches chamber music and several piano accompanying classes in the school of music.

When he received the news of the building dedication, Martina said that he experienced a variety of emotions.
“I was very excited,” Martina said. “But more than that, I was surprised.”

The naming of the building is due to Martina’s history in music in Colombia. Martina said that he lived in Colombia for 40 years before coming to the United States, 2 1/2 years ago. During his time in Colombia, Martina performed as a pianist and conductor. In addition, he taught music at the University of Antioquia for 14 years and headed numerous music seminars.

Director of orchestra studies, German Gutierrez, said he and other faculty members were very pleased with the announcement. Gutierrez, who is also from Colombia, was especially proud because of the knowledge he has of Martina’s accomplishments.

“In most cases, you get these distinctions after you die,” Gutierrez said. “But there is absolutely no doubt that (Martina) went beyond the frontiers of excellence, not only in (Colombia) but internationally.”

Gutierrez said he has admired Martina’s talent for many years.

“When I was very little, I used to travel eight hours back and forth from my town to Bogota just to see him play,”

Gutierrez said. “It was a great surprise for me to know that Maestro Martina came to live in Fort Worth.”

Martina came to teach at TCU in fall 2000, filling in for professor Cara Owens, who went on sabbatical. This semester, Martina has taken over for Judith Solomon, an associate professor of music, and will maintain full-time teaching status at TCU.

Martina said there are many reasons he enjoys teaching at TCU and living in Fort Worth.

“I have so many good colleagues, good students and good directors,” Martina said. “And around here, there are so many good Texan people. I didn’t know people were so warm (in Fort Worth).”

Among his best students, Martina said, is international student Hye-Young Song. Song is tutored by Martina in piano performance, and she said she has been very happy to learn from him.

“He is one of the best teachers I’ve ever had,” Song said. “He is a great artist, and he is as good at teaching as he is at playing (the piano).”

Students, faculty members and the public will be able to hear Martina perform at his upcoming recital at PepsiCo Recital Hall April 23.

John Weyand
j.h.weyand@student.tcu.edu