The New Mexico State University Department of Music was founded January 21, 1890 with the charge to make music a part of the lives of the students and the community. That charge has always been the underlying theme of the department. In addition, the department recognizes the historical significance of the special missions of land-grant institutions to provide a liberal and practical education for students and to sustain programs of research/performance and public service.
As a member department in the College of Arts and Sciences, this department offers undergraduate degrees in Music Education, Music Performance, and Music Business, as well as graduate degrees in Music Education, Music Performance and Conducting. Located in an architectural award winning, state-of-the-art facility on the corner of University Avenue and Espina Street, the Music Center overlooks the broad, green, and open expanse of the University Horseshoe. The department is a long-standing, fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
Mission Statement
The New Mexico State University Department of Music serves the music educational needs of New Mexico's diverse population through comprehensive programs of education, research/performance, and public service.
The Music Department strives to:
- to prepare students for careers in music education, business, and/or performance;
- to give the student body opportunities to perform, study, create, and experience music;
- to enhance the cultural lives of our constituency by performance of superior music; and
- to create an artistic environment which fosters the development of personal realizations we believe to be essential to the fabric of a healthy society.