Department Spotlight | AC Music Department
The mission of the Amarillo College Music Department is to be a center of musical learning and cultural enrichment within the community of Amarillo and the surrounding Panhandle of Texas, by providing:
- a comprehensive two-year musical curriculum for transfer students
- elective courses for the non-music major
- musical training for younger students
- performance opportunities in various ensembles for students and members of the community
About AC's Music Department
One of only a few national two-year institutions, Amarillo College has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) since 1966. The Music Department remains committed to the high learning standards for a successful transfer to a four-year music degree, and celebrates that AC music majors have had a 100% acceptance rate to their top-choice transfer institution for several years. With music majors at a 5-year high, the Music Department has also more than doubled offerings for non-music majors since 2016.
What We Offer Our Students
Students can earn the first two years of any music degree, including music education, music therapy, music business, music technology, composers, conductors, and performers. Resources for those interested in pursuing a music career are at https://www.actx.edu/music/careers-in-music. Overall, the musician job market is expected to grow 11.0% nationwide between 2020 and 2030.
Closely associated with the area’s top opera, choral, and instrumental organizations, students in the Music Department are immersed in building performance skills along with academic knowledge. The AC Music Department partners annually with the Amarillo Master Chorale, Amarillo Symphony Youth Orchestras, AC Suzuki Program, Amarillo Opera, Amarillo Music Teachers Association, Window on a Wider World, and sponsors additional outreach activities like the UIL solo & ensemble contest and the Greater Southwest Music Festival. In 2021-2022, music students and faculty participated in over 40 outreach events reaching approximately 6,000 K-12th graders. AC music faculty are active performers and leaders in area performing arts organizations and the community. Visit https://www.actx.edu/music/about for a complete listing of community collaborations.
At AC, Music is for Everyone!
We celebrate the opportunity to make music together at Amarillo College, whether you’re an undergraduate music or a non-music major, a pre-college or adult student, or a member of the larger Texas Panhandle community. Most ensembles are open to non-music majors and community members aged 15 & up, as well as students majoring in music. Our widely recognized Suzuki Program offers violin, viola, cello, bass, harp, flute, and guitar private and group lessons to children as young as age 2. Academic elective and non-credit Community Enrichment enrollment options are available by searching https://catalog.actx.edu/ for MUAP and MUEN sections or visiting www.actx.edu/music/ce.
Current ensemble offerings include:
- Amarillo Master Chorale (Monday evenings)
- Brass Ensemble (Tuesday afternoons)
- Chamber Orchestra (Thursday evenings)
- Community Concert Band (Monday evenings)
- Concert Choir (MWF 12:30-1:45 PM)
- Guitar Ensemble (Thursday evenings)
- Jazz Ensemble (Tuesday/Thursday 12:30-1:45 PM)
- Latin-American Orchestra (Wednesday evenings)
- Opera Workshop (Tuesday/Thursday evenings)
- Piano Ensemble (Saturday mornings)
- Instrumental and Vocal Private Lessons (weekly)
Available Events
A full schedule of concerts, recitals, and special events provides free entertainment opportunities to the College and regional community, including June Jazz, the AC Piano Series, guest artist events, and AC choral and instrumental ensemble concerts. In 2021-2022, the department produced over 40 concerts with well over 16,000 attendees. Music faculty and students also provide entertainment for AC Commencement and other college-related events.
https://www.actx.edu/music/events
Any of our faculty will be thrilled to talk with you about events you might enjoy dropping in on, or options for starting (or re-starting up!) your own music-making.
Join us in making and/or enjoying live music today! Visit www.actx.edu/music for more information.
Blog post written by Camille Nies, Faculty Chair Music
