Academic Feature: School of Music

(ABILENE, Texas)–The School of Music at Hardin-Simmons University provides students with “creative, culturally enriching experiences” and is centered on “academic excellence, creativity, and aesthetic and spiritual growth.” It was the first music school in Texas to receive accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The school has been fully accredited by NASM since 1930.

Students of music are given opportunities to learn, perform, and grow as musicians through the School of Music. There are numerous organizations, events, and activities to participate in, including the World Famous Cowboy Band, concert band, choir, opera, and more. Several extracurriculars, like the bands and choir, are open to students of any discipline.

A trombone ensemble performs in the recital hall.

Within the School of Music, there are three social clubs for students of music to be a part of. Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America is a professional music fraternity for men with interests in music. HSU’s Theta Lambda Chapter was chartered in 1959. The chapter fundraises by co-sponsoring the “All-School Sing” with Sigma Alpha Iota every fall, and proceeds are used to put toward scholarships and new equipment for HSU and the School of Music.

Sigma Alpha Iota is an international fraternity for women in the field of music. The Gamma Phi Chapter was founded in 1961. Their largest project is co-sponsoring “All-School Sing” with Phi Mu Alpha. The chapter is sponsored by members of the former Abilene Alumnae chapter of the fraternity.

Pi Kappa Lambda is a national music honorary society with the goal of acknowledging and encouraging the highest level of musical achievement and academic scholarship. The Epsilon Pi Chapter of HSU was founded in 1984. Members are chosen annually by invitation, with class ranking and grade point average considered.

There are two organizations for music educators through HSU’s School of Music: Music Educators National Conference and Texas Music Educators Association. Through participation in these organizations, Music Education students can be prepared for their career after graduation.

The School of Music welcomes students of many different specialties, including vocal, keyboard, strings, guitar, oboe, bassoon, trumpet, euphonium, tuba, clarinet, saxophone, flute, and percussion.