Today@Sam Article

Commencement Spotlight: Mateo Seghezzo

April 26, 2023
SHSU Media Contact: Emily Binetti

Each semester, the Commencement Spotlight series highlights graduating Bearkats with a “can-do” spirit through challenges, achievements or service.

Mateo Seghezzo
Salta, Argentina
Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance

Mateo Seghezzo was born in Salta, Argentina, amid a stunning valley. His upbringing included living in The Netherlands and Argentina before arriving in America at 17 years old.

“I was awarded a good scholarship to come here because, if not, I would not have been able to do so. Ever since I got to Sam Houston State University, I have felt very supported to pursue my musical career,” Seghezzo said.

After graduation, he intends to pursue a career as a professional performer, specializing in solo and ensemble performances. He is looking forward to performing the music that he loves, which is Baroque and classical, as well as getting to travel and play at many places.

Seghezzo has been devoted to music ever since he was four. He started with the African Djembé, took drum set lessons when he was seven, then developed a love for jazz that led him to move to the States.

"Here, I discovered this instrument called the marimba, which is a percussion instrument, so the passion I grew for percussion and the passion I've been growing for classical music my whole life kind of met, and I was able to play classical music while playing percussion,” Seghezzo said.

Seghezzo’s hard work as a student in SHSU’s School of Music has paid off with numerous accomplishments. He recently won a first-place gold medal in the prestigious Young Texas Artists Music Competition after competing in the final against a graduate student from Yale University. Last semester, Seghezzo was named Texas State University System Board of Regents’ Student Scholar based on outstanding academic achievement, scholarship, leadership abilities and contributions to the institution and community.  

On top of these recognitions, he was recently selected as the sole winner of the US Army Band National Solo Competition, a nationwide competition for collegiate musicians. In June, Seghezzo will travel to Washington DC to perform with the Premier Army Band.

While making the transition to a new country to pursue his passion included challenges, Seghezzo said he is grateful he had the opportunity to do so. 

“It was hard being away from my whole life before, and getting accustomed to an entirely different life, but thankfully I was like a sponge and I just took everything in and really learned how the culture is here and I'm still learning to this day,” Seghezzo shared, “It's very welcoming in Texas, and I am doing what I love. If I had come here to do something that I did not want to do, it would have been very different.”

Outside of his music studies, Seghezzo has been active in campus life in a variety of ways. He is a member of the International Student Organization, the Orientation Team, the Collegiate Progression Association and the Orange Keys, where he serves as vice president of programming. As the Orange Keys programming officer, Seghezzo oversees two major events hosted by the Orange Keys: the Keys of Excellence, where teachers who have had a significant impact on our lives at SHSU are recognized, and Raven's Call, a ceremony to honor the lives of students, active and retired faculty and staff and alumni who have passed away.

Seghezzo expressed his experience of trying to be involved as a student.

“The main thing for me is just speak to people and be a friendly face. Introduce yourself to people that run your program because they want to know about you,” Seghezzo said. “If you need help, always reach out. There's no wrong door to knock on, and this is a good community, so you know that you will get help.”

Story by Nhi Nguyen

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