We celebrate Jazz as a uniquely American art form that has spread across the globe as one of the most enduring popular art forms. In America we see jazz music’s influence from New Orleans to Broadway, to big band music, and even Western Swing. This program will feature vocal solos and dancers, and a pianist performing one of the popular works of all time: George Gershwin’s Variations on I Got Rhythm.

Donald Crandall

Donald E. Crandall began studying piano at age four in Norwich, New York. After receiving his Bachelor of Music degree from Ithaca College, he attended the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts where he received his Master of Music degree. In 1997, Donald Crandall received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The University of Texas at Austin.

Dr. Crandall’s instructional experience spans over 30 years to include time at South Shore Conservatory of Music in Hingham, Massachusetts; Powers Music School in Belmont, Massachusetts; University of Texas at Austin, and Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas. Dr. Crandall served as music director at Schreiner for 17 years and continues to teach Music Theory, Studio Piano, Group Piano, Piano Proficiency, and Sight-Singing and Ear Training. In the year 2000, Dr. Crandall was honored as a recipient of Schreiner University’s Margaret Hosler Award for Excellence in Teaching. In 2010, following his 13th year at Schreiner, Dr. Crandall was promoted to Professor of Music. In 2011, he was awarded the Nancy and Cecil Atkission Professorship for three years.

Dr. Crandall is a frequent performer with the Symphony of the Hills orchestra and has served as featured soloist performing such works as Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and I’ve Got Rhythm Variations. Beethoven’s 5th Piano Concerto “The Emperor,” Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini, and Addinsell’s Warsaw Concerto. He stays engaged in various community activities while performing entertainment music with Harry and the Hightones (swing music), Men in Black (country and classic rock-n-roll), The Mike Kasberg Quartet (jazz), and George Eychner’s Jazz Quartet.

In 2025 he was inducted into the Steinway & Sons Teacher Hall of Fame.

Seth Lafler

Seth Lafler is Director of Choral Music at Tivy High School in Kerrville, TX. He holds an M.Ed. in Administration from Lamar University and earned a B.A. in Music at Texas State University. He also serves as the Director of Choral Music at First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville. Lafler made his international solo debut when this work was featured on a new works recital at the 2025 International Trombone Festival in London, Ontario. In addition to solo work, he regularly performs with San Antonio Chamber Choir.

Houston Schuman

Houston Schuman is a saxophonist hailing from Fort Worth, TX.  He is a second-year student at Schreiner University studying Mechanical Engineering.  Schuman has won the Outstanding Recitalist Award in the Music Department and has consistently been featured in the Music Department Showcases.  In his spare time, Houston enjoys playing soccer and spending time with friends.