Hageman retires after 39 years at the School of Music
Boxes are sealed and packed, the office is empty, and all Dr. Paul Hageman is left with are the memories of the first time he picked up his baton as the curtains opened.
Hageman, Director of School of Music and Regents Professor of Music, started as a full-time visiting instructor at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) in 1983. When first joining the team, he was the Assistant Marching Band Director, Director of Jazz Band, the Mariachi Director/Sponsor and taught Music History and Low Brass Methods.
As years went on, Hageman was promoted slowly from Assistant to Associate, Full and finally Regents Professor. Hageman has been Chair/ Director of the School of Music at TAMUK for 33 years and has experienced the program grow from 35 music majors to nearly 300 in 2022.
“You think you’re going to go to your first position, spend a few years there, and then move up to someplace bigger, but I got here and I just fell in love with the students,” Hageman said.
Over the years, Hageman has seen some of his past students who attended TAMUK’s School of Music start their profession and become extremely successful in their careers.
“Many of our students are first generation and when one student gets a college degree and goes back to their family to show them the success they had, it makes a huge difference,” Hageman said.
Hageman raves over how rewarding it is to see the growth and development of the students. His position is more administrative than anything else due to the growth of the program, regardless, Hageman still found time to consistently do what he loves most, which is directing the first jazz band.
“It’s the best three hours of my week directing them because that’s what I have always done and loved to do,” Hageman said.
One of the proudest moments Hageman shared was getting the newly renovated music building. The school first asked for a new building in 1996 because they were told the previous facilities were not adequate. It took nearly 20 years to get it approved by the state legislature and five years to build.
“The students and the alumni are the ones who built this building because they are the ones who put in the work and helped develop the program to the point where not only did we need it, but they deserved it, as well,” Hageman said.
Aug. 31 will be Hageman’s last official day after 39 years of teaching. Hageman feels he has done a lot of what he set out to accomplish at TAMUK in his time here.
“Thirty-nine years have gone by in a flash for me because it’s been so much fun. Nothing triggered my decision to retire, I just feel like I’m ready,” Hageman said.
Hageman’s plans after retirement center around spending more time with his wife and son. He will still be involved in music, as he is the Principal Trombone in the Corpus Christi Symphony and Ballet Orchestra. He hopes to practice more and is considering picking up jazz gigs every now and then.
Hageman also wants to use his newly found time off to arrange music like he used to. However, his true passion, aside from music, doesn’t just lie above the water. Hageman plans to go fishing as often as he can at some of his favorite local spots.
“Most of what I’m going to do is de-stress, enjoy life and enjoy some of the things that I always wanted to do that I didn’t have that much time to do before,” Hageman said.
Not only is Hageman going to miss the students and helping them develop their skills, he will also miss his colleagues and administrators. He thanks them for all that they have done for not only himself, but for the School of Music. Hageman believes the reason the school is successful is because everybody works in the same direction, for the students.
“When you teach you put your whole life out there to your students so they know me pretty well, but what they might not know is how much I’m going to miss them. Being around young people keeps me young and I love all the time I spend with the students, whether that’s in class or informal chats in the hallway, they’re such nice people. I haven’t found warmer people than down in South Texas, so my heart is here,” Hageman said.
Hageman states that there was a strong process in picking who would be given his baton and taking over his position. The dean put forward a process that allowed faculty to give input.
Hageman stayed out of this process but states that the faculty had confidence in Dr. Scott Jones and Dr. Elizabeth Janzen. He believes they are both exceptional teachers and have many people skills and technical skills to be able to take their new positions as directors.
“It’s one of those things when you’ve put your heart into some place for so long you want people to take care of it after you’re gone and I am confident that they will do everything they can to not only keep things going in the right direction but take them to new levels because I think we’re poised to do that,” Hageman finished.
Jones, who has a background in composition, performance and rhythmic movement, is the incoming Director of the School of Music and current Director of Bands. As the Director of Bands, Jones oversees the concert band, marching band, teaches conducting lessons and teaches classes in History of the Wind band and Instrumental Techniques. He trains students on how to become conductors and band directors.
Jones mentions how Hageman has been a good and strong mentor for him, showing Jones how to be an effective band director, learn the ropes, get to know the alumni and show him how marching bands work in Texas.
“We have a lot of ideas on how to recognize him over the next bit of time here. We are going to celebrate his legacy and we have a lot of things in store,” Jones said.
Janzen, who has a background in performance and holds a Masters and Doctorate from the Manhattan School of Music, is the incoming Associate Director of Music and current Associate Professor of Flute. Janzen continues to further her music career by teaching Applied Lessons, Woodwinds Applied Methods and performs for research.
Janzen states that there is so much Hageman does for the school, which is why there are two professors who are going to fill his shoes. She is excited to share her ideas and contribute to growing the program.
“Dr. Hageman will be very and deeply missed by the faculty, staff and students. We’re looking forward to having him still be a presence here in attending concerts and being an audience member now. We wish him all the best in his retirement,” Janzen said.
As a final piece of advice, Hageman encourages students to work hard, keep dreaming their dreams and believing in themselves.
And at last, the curtain begins to close as Hageman puts his baton down, signifying an end of an era.
