News 9 reported that Cullin Smith, who serves as the music education director at Mount Saint Mary Catholic School, received an invitation to the Global Summer Institute of Music in Austria, a prestigious summer festival.
News 9 noted that Smith had just completed his first year in the director role, a position he finds rewarding, and that he also teaches and performs on the double bass, an instrument he began playing at age 15 and studied both as an undergraduate and graduate major, covering classical and jazz repertoire.
According to News 9, after an email alerted him to the Austrian institute, Smith submitted an audition tape without expecting a response, and a month later he was notified of a scholarship, placing him among roughly 35 to 40 musicians worldwide who receive such invitations.
News 9 highlighted that the honor is especially significant because Smith, with more than 15 years of musical experience, has never performed outside Oklahoma or traveled abroad.
Before leaving for Austria, News 9 said Smith will host a free performance in the school auditorium at 7 p.m. on Friday, inviting audience members to join in for a few jazz tunes.
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