The Sound of Community

ON A BALMY, breezy evening in early summer, I joined a group of neighbors who occasionally gather to enjoy the gentle sounds of the marimba and other percussion instruments organized by Ivan Treviño. He and his wife, Amanda, moved into an idyllic little spot in Mueller in 2016, settling into their home just as that section of the neighborhood was being built.

“At the time, there was only one home built, and then the courtyard came along,” he recalls. “I guess we’re lucky we all like each other, because we see one another on a daily basis!” Indeed, it is clear that his words ring true: Neighbors greet each other with warm smiles and friendly check-ins, blankets or chairs in hand to claim a spot in the grass, eager to listen to the creative musical acts as the sun sets.

Before moving to Mueller, Treviño lived in Rochester, New York, where he attended the Eastman School of Music. It was there he met Amanda, an Austin native and former drum major at McCallum High School.

After relocating to Austin, Treviño began teaching at Baylor University School of Music, where he still plays as a guest artist once in a while. In 2021, he earned a prestigious position at the University of Texas at Austin’s Butler School of Music, where he now serves as Assistant Professor of Practice in Percussion.

MUSICAL MOMENTS

In addition to being a teacher, Treviño is an accomplished composer and passionate arts advocate. His music has been performed on five continents and in over 25 countries—a testament to his global reach and deep love for his craft.

Treviño is also well-known for his work as a drummer with Break of Reality, an international touring cello rock quartet. Break of Reality has released five studio albums and been featured on PBS, Huffington Post and Yahoo Music, and is in regular rotation on National Public Radio.

Originally from Victoria, Texas—a small town south of San Antonio— Treviño naturally appreciates the strong sense of community in the Mueller neighborhood. That love of connection, paired with his musical expertise, eventually found its way into his own front yard.

“Some of my students are interested in composing their own music, and that gives us a sandbox to have a flexible curriculum,” he explains. This spark of creativity led to informal neighborhood concerts during the early days of the pandemic.

Treviño had brought his marimba home to play, and soon the courtyard filled with the sounds of live music. He also hosted drum circles and invited students and colleagues to join in, creating an impromptu celebration to mark the end of the semester.

The tradition continues, with plans to keep spreading the word about these homegrown performances. It was evident when I watched his students perform in May that Treviño has instilled in them playfulness and creativity.

SHARING KNOWLEDGE

Treviño encourages his students to bring music into the broader community as well. One student recently held a concert at the Mueller pavilion, which was a meaningful experience for both performer and audience. In another recent outreach effort, his students performed at Dell Children’s Hospital, bringing inspiring music to young patients and their families.

Treviño’s compositions are both relaxing and joyful. One standout piece is “Watercolor Sun,” a marimba quartet for one shared 4.3 -octave marimba. Commissioned by Grammy Award-winning ensemble Third Coast Percussion, the piece was released in 2023. His song “Pajarito,” written for the UT Austin Percussion Ensemble, is fun and infectious, with instruments including marimbas, vibraphone, congas, cajon and shaker. This music was definitely made to make people dance and sing, and it connects with Treviño’s roots.

In addition to his university teaching, Treviño offers a variety of clinics. One, titled Intro to Composing, mentors young musicians who are eager to write their own music but are unsure where to begin or how to develop their ideas. Another is a lecture on music entrepreneurship, which he has delivered at universities across the country. It explores the current state of the music industry and provides insights into building audiences and creating new opportunities.

Treviño is not only an extraordinary musician but also a generous educator and community builder. His passion resonates far beyond the concert hall— into classrooms, courtyards and hearts.

BY CARMEN GRAY