Best Value College ranked TAMUK among the top 100 best colleges for music majors. TAMUK’s School of Music ranks number 25 on the list of accredited music schools.
“One of these things we’ve always tried to be, not only here in the School of Music but at A&M Kingsville, is a school of access and opportunity,” Director of the School of Music Dr. Paul Hageman said.
Hageman credits this ranking to the affordability and open-mindedness of the School of Music.
“We’re open to any student who has the skill level to come and audition and get into our program,” Hageman said. “We’ll take them and work with them until they have developed all the skills they need to be successful in the job market.”
The School of Music has received prior national acknowledgement from the International Trombone Association, Downbeat Magazine and the TAMUK Wind ensemble placed second in the American Music Prize.
“All these things are just examples of the external validation that our students are high achieving, they’re learning so much and working together in ways that’s going to benefit all of them for the future,” Hageman said.
TAMUK in-state tuition is $9,136 for undergraduate students a semester.
“25th in that nation is fantastic, I’m kind of partial but I think we deserve that. We know that college degrees are very expensive, the cost of tuition and A&M Kingsville has worked very hard to keep it as low as they can and to again allow more students opportunities,” he said.
The School of Music has an almost 100 percent job placement rating for graduating students.
“I think it is a good indicator that we are preparing our students because they are highly sought after, they’re being successful,” Hageman continued.
The School of Music undergraduate programs include a Bachelor of Music or a Bachelor of Music Education. Masters programs include Master of Music in Conducting, Master of Music in Music Education and Master of Music in Performance.
Senior Performance major student Christian Torres said the School of Music has been a welcoming experience for him.
“It has been 100 percent a positive experience,” Torres said. “My skill level as a musician has increased at least tenfold since I’ve been here.”
Unlike other music programs students have said TAMUK’s program is not competitive and builds a community of students who support each other.
“When I was in high school, it was the first time I came to the TAMUK jazz fest in March, and that was the first time I saw a Jazz Band One and I was like ‘wow, I need to be in that band’ and now I am like four or five years later,” Torres said.
Music Education major Gilberto Salinas credits TAMUK’s ranking to its faculty and staff.
“A lot of the faculty here are very unique in their own way and they all bring up their own strengths into what they teach,” he said.
Students noted their professors push towards their success with the guidance and experience they are able to bring into their classes.
“Two weeks ago, I won the solo competition here at TAMUK and that was really a big thing for me,” Music Education major Gilbert Trevino said.
Trevino won TAMUK’s School of Music Instrumental and Vocal Solo Competition and will get to perform a solo with TAMUK’s band.
“I think it’s a great reflection on us and it shows what we already knew that our program here is really strong in helping students develop their careers and all the skills they need for their future,” Hageman said.