School of Music News
School of Music Gets Crowds in the Spirit of the Season at Annual Holiday Gala
The East Texas A&M University School of Music wowed patrons with its annual showcase of seasonal tunes at the annual Holiday Gala.
Music Alumna Reaches Regional Round of National Piano Competition
An alumna from the ETAMU School of Music recently qualified for the Division Finals of the Music Teachers National Association Southwest Division Young Artist Piano Competition.
Pride Marching Band Showcases Its Talents for State Marching Contest Audience
The ETAMU Pride Marching Band recently wowed crowds with an exhilarating exhibition performance at the UIL 5A State Marching Contest.
School of Music Shares the Magic of Music in Concert for Area Children
Several ensembles from ETAMU's School of Music performed for more than 1,500 children from Greenville, Caddo Mills, Bland, and Celeste at a free concert at the historic Greenville Municipal Auditorium in Greenville, Texas.
Music Student Receives Scholarship from International Organization
East Texas A&M University music major Bella Zitzelberger was recently named the recipient of the Sara Eikenberry Voice Undergraduate Scholarship.
School of Music Inviting Prospective Students to Live the Life of a ‘Lion For a Day’
The School of Music at East Texas A&M aims to give future students a taste of the Lion experience with its “Lion For a Day” program.
ETAMU Alumnus Named RISD Elementary Teacher of the Year
Richardson Independent School District named East Texas A&M alumnus Dylan Kirk both a Superior Teaching Achievements in RISD Schools (STARS) Teacher and the 2025 RISD Elementary Teacher of the Year.
Piano Faculty Judging Prestigious International Competition
Dr. Luis Sanchez, professor of music at East Texas A&M University, was invited to serve as a panelist for the 2025 Rubato International Piano Competition
Recent ETAMU Music Graduate Wins National Competition
East Texas A&M University alum and percussionist DJ Talbot recently took first place at the Black Swamp Percussion Solo & Ensemble Showcase.
Alum to Lead Prestigious Percussion Research Center
ETAMU alum Dr. Andrew Veit was recently named the new managing director for the Wells-Rapp Center for Mallet Percussion Research at Kutztown University.
Student Premieres Original Mass Composition at Choral Concert
An undergraduate ETAMU music student directed the university's Chamber Choir while they performed his self-composed Mass during a recent choral concert at the Jack and Lou Finney Concert Hall.
University Vocal Students Undertake Area Performance Tour
Two dozen students from the East Texas A&M University School of Music embarked on a performance and recruitment tour through North Texas.
Newest Regents Professor Honored at Annual Convocation
East Texas A&M University Regents Professor of Music Dr. Brian Zator was officially recognized for his outstanding achievement at the university's annual Spring convocation.
ETAMU Vocal Division Sweeps Finals at DFW Vocal Competition
The East Texas A&M University School of Music's Vocal Division is thrilled to announce its outstanding achievement at the recent National Association of Teachers of Singing Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter Vocal Competition.
School of Music to Host Guest Artist Masterclass & Lecture Open to the Public
The East Texas A&M University School of Music is thrilled to announce an exclusive vocal masterclass and pedagogy lecture with renowned vocal pedagogue and tenor, Dr. Nicholas Perna.
Music Faculty Named to A&M System Chancellor’s Academy of Teacher Educators
East Texas A&M University coordinator of music education Darla Meek was recently named to the Texas A&M University System's Chancellor’s Academy of Teacher Educators.
East Texas A&M Music Student Named Principal Player in Shreveport Symphony
East Texas A&M University undergraduate student Zack Palm was recently named the principal tuba player in the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra.
ETAMU Music Faculty Named A&M System Regents Professor
Dr. Brian Zator, East Texas A&M University professor of music and percussion director, was recently named a Texas A&M University System Regents Professor for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
ETAMU Music Student Qualifies for National Vocal Competition
Several East Texas A&M University music students competed at the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Texoma Regional Conference, with one student qualifying for the national level of competition.
School of Music to Host Guest Artist Masterclass Open to the Public
Noted Polish Soprano Brygida Bziukiewicz Kulig will deliver a vocal masterclass open to the public on November 18.
A&M-Commerce Hosts Inaugural International Piano Symposium
The Texas A&M University-Commerce School of Music hosted the inaugural meeting of the North Texas International Piano Symposium from October 4-5 to discover, amplify and celebrate the research of Latin American piano literature.
TAMUC Music Students to Showcase Talent in Benefit Recital Ahead of Texoma Regional NATS Competition
The Texas A&M University-Commerce School of Music Vocal Division is thrilled to announce a benefit recital featuring 17 talented students on Monday, October 28 in the Recital Hall of the Music Building at 7:30 pm.
TAMUC Unveils New School of Music at Kickoff Concert
Texas A&M University-Commerce recently celebrated the redesignation of its School of Music at a special kickoff concert on September 29. 2024.
A&M-Commerce Music Instructor Honored as UNK Distinguished Alumnus
Texas A&M University-Commerce Adjunct Instructor Dr. Kory Reeder was recently honored with the Gary Thomas Distinguished Music Alumnus Award from the University of Nebraska Kearney.
TAMUC Alums Lead Percussion Ensembles in International Showcase
Three Texas A&M University-Commerce alumni will direct ensembles performing at the Percussive Arts Society’s (PAS) international convention, scheduled for November 13-16, 2024 in Indianapolis, Ind. Dr. Andrew Lynge is a 2011 A&M-Commerce graduate, assistant professor of percussion and director of…
TAMUC Student Wins National Percussion Performance Competition
A Texas A&M University-Commerce music student recently took the first-place prize at the 2024 Black Swamp Percussion Solo & Ensemble Showcase. Noah Avelar, a graduate student pursuing a Master of Music degree, won the College Snare Drum division with his…
A&M-Commerce Alum Elected to Colorguard Hall of Fame
An alum of Texas A&M University-Commerce was recently inducted into the North Texas Colorguard Association (NTCA) Hall of Fame as a reflection of his impact as an educator. Stuart Spoon, a 2002 Lion graduate, received the honor during the NTCA…
TAMUC Music Faculty Releases Video Performance Album
Dr. Daniel Kelly, professor of trumpet at Texas A&M University-Commerce, recently released a video album on YouTube. The album, titled “Streets of Scarlet and Shadow,” features five pieces for trumpet and piano that draw inspiration from the aesthetic of film…
TAMUC Music Faculty Publishes Collection of Songs for Performance
Dr. Leanne Scaggs, instructor of voice and opera at Texas A&M University-Commerce, recently published a performance edition of a collection of songs by classical composer Nina d’Aubigny von Engelbrunner. The collection, titled “Deutsche, Italienische und Französische Gesänge mit Begleitung des…
A&M-Commerce Flute Ensemble Performing at National Convention this Summer
The Flute Choir at Texas A&M University-Commerce recently announced their invitation to perform a showcase concert at the 2024 National Flute Association (NFA) Convention in San Antonio, Texas. The 52nd annual convention is scheduled for August 1-4. The NFA was…
TAMUC Alum in the Running to be Named ‘America’s Favorite Teacher’
A Texas A&M University-Commerce alum has the chance to be named “America’s Favorite Teacher” after entering a nationwide contest.
Kara Wallace, a 2005 graduate of A&M-Commerce, is one of many educators across the nation vying for the title. The contest…
A&M-Commerce Elevating Music Education with New School of Music Designation
The Texas A&M University-Commerce Department of Music is elevating its status to become the School of Music, effective September 1, 2024.
Approval to change the department's designation was granted by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) in January 2024.…
Strokes of Brilliance—10 TAMUC Alumni with Successful Artistic Careers
Did you know that A&M-Commerce has produced several talented and incredibly successful artists? “Successful” as in famous, well known and award-winning! Whether you're studying the arts at A&M-Commerce or simply dabbling in it on the side, you're in a lineage…
TAMUC Percussion Alums Land University Appointments
A pair of alums from Texas A&M University-Commerce were recently hired in faculty roles at Texas universities. Dr. Caleb Pickering (B.S., Music Education, 2012) was named assistant professor of percussion at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Dr. Andrew Veit (M.M., Percussion…
A&M-Commerce Percussion Ensemble Wins International Competition
The Texas A&M University-Commerce Percussion Ensemble, led by Dr. Brian Zator, was one of three winners chosen in in the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) International Percussion Ensemble Competition (IPEC) along with Indiana University and Florida State University.
As a result…
Lion Students Win Awards at Vocal Competition Held at A&M-Commerce
Several music students at Texas A&M University-Commerce received high marks at a recent vocal competition held at the university.
A&M-Commerce hosted the spring competition of the Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. In total, 219…
A&M-Commerce Alum Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from PAS
Texas A&M University-Commerce alum Anthony Robinson was recently honored with the “Lifetime Achievement in Education” award by the Percussive Arts Society (PAS). Robinson received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Northwestern State University in 1975, and then earned his…
Several A&M-Commerce Students and Faculty Participate in DCI
Many students and faculty from Texas A&M University-Commerce participated in Drum Corps International (DCI) during the past summer. DCI has been a leader in producing events for the world's most elite and exclusive marching ensembles for student musicians and performers. …
A&M-Commerce Music Student Reaches Semifinals of National Vocal Competition
Texas A&M University-Commerce student Evan June reached the semifinals of the National Student Auditions hosted by the National Association of Teachers of Singing, held in Chicago from July 1-2. June reached the semifinal round after submitting a video audition in…
A&M-Commerce Alums Represent Well at Band and Orchestra Conference
Several Texas A&M University-Commerce alumni represented their alma mater well at the Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference. The Midwest Clinic is the world’s largest instrumental music education conference, drawing approximately 17,000 attendees annually to Chicago from all fifty…
TAMUC Percussion Students Make Waves at Regional Competition
Students in the Texas A&M University-Commerce Percussion Studio performed well at the Tierras South Texas Percussion Competition in December. This first-annual competition saw high schoolers and university students perform their works on either keyboard or snare drum. A&M-Commerce students finished…
TAMUC Students, Faculty and Alumni Shine at Percussion Convention
A strong contingent of students, faculty and alumni of Texas A&M University-Commerce had a stellar outing at the 2021 Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC). The convention ran from November 10 through 13 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Featuring concerts, clinics, panels…
Distinguished Alum Returning to TAMUC for Music Clinic
Texas A&M University-Commerce Distinguished Alumnus Dr. Dan Moore is scheduled to return to campus on November 15 to give a music clinic to A&M-Commerce percussion students. Moore is a 1982 graduate of then-East Texas State University, where he studied under…
A&M-Commerce Professor is Living a Sweet Dream
As told by the Forest Lake Times in Forest Lake, Minnesota, Professor Barret Radziun is on a journey through Claire Saffitz's cookbook “Dessert Person.” He's currently in his third year at A&M-Commerce as an assistant voice professor. After watching the…
TAMUC Employees Build Bridges to Student Success
Nearly a quarter of Texas A&M University-Commerce employees are Bridge Builders, a term referring to current faculty and staff who give financial gifts to the university. The Philanthropy and Engagement team at A&M-Commerce is hoping to boost that percentage over…
A&M-Commerce Percussion Student, Alums Win Big at International Competitions
A current Texas A&M University-Commerce percussion student and two alums took home the top prize in separate competitions this summer. Ashton Carter, a current music education major at A&M-Commerce, was named the winner of the 2021 Black Swamp Snare Drum…
A&M-Commerce Department of Music Makes History as All-Steinway ‘Spirio’ School
The public profile of the Department of Music at Texas A&M University-Commerce is getting a big boost, giving students the opportunity to study piano with some of the most advanced technology in the industry thanks to the recent designation of…
Metropolitan Opera’s Sarah Mesko to Lead Virtual Masterclass for TAMUC Voice Students
On Monday, March 22, Metropolitan Opera rising star mezzo-soprano Sarah Mesko will present a virtual vocal masterclass on the campus of Texas A&M University-Commerce. Three students will perform live in Finney Concert Hall while Mesko works with them virtually through…
A&M-Commerce Alum Named as Finalist for The American Prize in Conducting
Professor Eddie W. Airheart, Tyler Junior College assistant director of bands and professor of woodwinds, has been named one of 14 finalists nationwide — and the only finalist from Texas — for The American Prize in Conducting. Since 2009, The…
A&M-Commerce Alum to Lead Percussion Ensemble at Prestigious Conference
The North Forney (Texas) High School Percussion Ensemble, led by A&M-Commerce alum Jim Gist, has been invited to perform at the 74th Midwest Clinic in Chicago, one of the largest band and orchestra conferences in the country. The conference is…