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College of Fine Arts
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    Explore creativity at UTRGV's College of Fine Arts – a vibrant hub for artistic expression and innovation. Unleash your passion and talent with expert guidance in a dynamic learning environment.

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    UTRGV's College of Fine Arts is where aspiring creatives come to be inspired. Distributed across two locations in Brownsville and Edinburg, the College of Fine Arts is comprised of the School of Art and Design, the School of Music, the Department of Theatre, the Department of Dance, and the Department of Creative Writing. Learn more about our programs and the endless possibilities for artistic expression that await you.

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    Explore UTRGV's College of Fine Arts resources for students and faculty, including scholarships, grants, study abroad, academic advising, and research support. Learn about funding opportunities, ensemble policies, travel grants, application processes, and guidelines. Access essential resources for academic growth, creative activities, and institutional support at UTRGV’s comprehensive student and faculty resource pages.

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School of Music

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Audition Request Form

Audition Preparation

Lab Request Form – Edinburg Campus

Lab Request Form – Brownsville Campus

Contact Us

School of Music
Brownsville, BMSLC 2.214
Edinburg, PACB 2.108
music@utrgv.edu
956-882-7768
956-665-3471


Audition Request Form
Audition Preparation

Mission

The UTRGV School of Music prepares students to succeed as teachers, performers, and scholars by studying diverse musical styles, genres, and traditions; conducting research; and collaborating with each other as well as with local, national, and global communities. Through extensive community engagement, service learning, and exceptional performance opportunities, we expand the understanding of music, and enrich the cultural life in our local society and beyond.

Vision

To be a leader in the education of musicians through the innovation and sustainable approaches to performance, research, and teaching, in a bilingual and multicultural environment.

School of Music Message

The UTRGV School of Music is led by nationally and internationally recognized professors known for their abilities to guide students to high achievements and professional success. Our students receive national recognition as performers and they become highly skilled teachers. We bring the music of the world here and we introduce the world to our music.

The Right Stage for Performers
We have outstanding concert halls in Brownsville and Edinburg which give students the real experience of performing in world-class acoustic halls.

Innovative Programs
The School of Music offers unique chamber ensembles and incorporates tablet-based music instruction on the leading edge. These experiences are guided by faculty who are UT System Regents Outstanding Teachers and Apple Distinguished Educators.

Music, Life, Work
We have programs to engage students in the fabric of the community as musicians and teachers. We create opportunities for students to explore what music can be, how music is a shared joy and deep expression in all its variety.

Inventing New Avenues
We are an emerging research university that gives us the incredibly rare chance to seek new ways to create, present, learn, and teach music that leads to the next level. We invite you to be part of that creative process, to contribute to the future and to discover new insights. 

Academic Programs

Bachelor's

mariachi singing and playing instruments on stage

Bachelor's Degree

Music - Teacher Certification (BM)

Bachelor of Music in Music — Teacher Certification

Program Modality: Campus

The Bachelor’s degree in Music (with EC-12 Teacher Certification) prepares students for careers as Music Teachers, who want to educate their students in performance and music theory. Music teachers lead various performance ensembles, such as marching band, orchestra, or choir. This degree can also lead to other careers in the field of music, including work as a Musicologist, Music Historian, Ethnomusicologist, and more. The required courses are aligned with the state of Texas requirements for teacher certification (TExES).

UTRGV is approved by the State Board of Educator Certification to recommend students who complete all requirements of this degree for teaching certification.

Students choose from several concentrations.

The School of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Concentrations:

  • Guitar
  • Mariachi
  • Piano
  • String
  • Voice
  • Woodwind/Brass/Percussion

Students playing in orchestra

Bachelor's Degree

Music Composition (BM)

Bachelor of Music in Music Composition

Program Modality: Campus

The Bachelor of Music in Music Composition offers an exciting experience for students who want to dive deep into the world of music composition.  

In this program, you will study music theory and composition techniques in an intensive and engaging way. You will get plenty of hands-on experience, composing music for a wide range of instruments and ensembles. The program encourages you to explore and develop your unique musical voice, whether you are into classical, jazz, or electronic.  

If you are ready to turn your passion for music into a career, the Bachelor of Music in Music Composition program will help you achieve your goals and make your note in the music world.  

Students creating music

Bachelor's Degree

Music Technology (BM)

Bachelor of Music in Music Technology

Program Modality: Campus

The Bachelor of Music in Music Technology program is designed to prepare you with the skills and knowledge you need for a successful career in the modern music industry.  

Imagine diving into a curriculum that covers everything from music theory and recording techniques to programming languages and sound design. The program will teach you about sound science and how to use cutting-edge technology to capture, create, and manipulate audio!  

Courses in this program are as exciting as they are varied. Plus, the program emphasizes hands-on experience. You will get to work with state-of-the-art equipment and software and collaborate on real-world projects, giving you a taste of what it is like to work in the industry. If you are ready to turn your passion for music and technology into a career, this program is an incredible opportunity to do just that.  

students practicing with drums

Bachelor's Degree

Performance (BM)

Bachelor of Music in Performance

Program Modality: Campus

The Bachelor’s degree in Performance leads students toward graduate study and/or a career in music performance and is a valuable stepping stone to a professional career. It requires proficiency in a secondary instrument and junior and senior recitals in the major area of study. The program offers several concentrations.

The School of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Concentrations:

  • Guitar
  • Piano
  • String
  • Voice
  • Woodwind/Brass/Percussion

Master's

Music concert with students playing trumpets

Master's Degree

Music (MM)

Master of Music in Music

Program Modality: Campus

The Master's degree in Music provides advanced graduate level study and preparation for musicians interested in music history, theory, and pedagogy beyond the scope of a bachelor's degree in music. Students choose from several concentrations.

The School of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Concentrations:

  • Conducting
  • Ethnomusicology
  • Multiple Instrument Performance
  • Music Education
  • Performance
  • Theory-Composition

Community

Mariachi Festival 
 
Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández will be the featured mariachi at the FESTIBA Mariachi Festival 2025, on March 1, 2025. José Hernández is a master of mariachi music. An internationally recognized musician, composer and arranger, he is the leading mariachi educator in the nation. He has recorded with the most respected and recognized names in the industry, including Selena, Vicente Fernandez, Luis Miguel, and the Beach Boys, and has received four Grammy nominations.

Plan to join us at FESTIBA 2025!! It will be a great workshop, competition and concert!
 

UTRGV Music Major for a Day

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is excited to announce our annual Music Major for a Day, hosted by the UTRGV School of Music! Music Major for a Day is a chance for high school juniors and seniors to come to the UTRGV campuses in Edinburg or in Brownsville, and live a day in the life of a college music major. On these days, we have activities in place for all band, orchestra, choir, guitar, and piano students. They will have the opportunity to take a tour of campus, go to an academic music class, go to an ensemble rehearsal, hear our students perform, and work with our faculty who specialize on their instrument. 

We hope to see you at the UTRGV School of Music Music Major for a Day!

For more information please email teresita.lozano@utrgv.edu.


Youth Orchestra 
 
The Rio Grande Youth Orchestra features talented student musicians from the Rio Grande Valley and communities nearby. Members perform a wide variety of standard and newly composed orchestral repertoire, including full scale symphonies, solo concertos, and works by living composers. Concerts take place at the beautiful UTRGV Performing Arts Complex in Edinburg. Students have the opportunity to meet regularly for sectionals with distinguished members of the UTRGV music faculty and other professional community musicians, including members of the Valley Symphony Orchestra. The Rio Grande Youth Orchestra is open through auditions to all string, woodwind, brass and percussion students ages 12 to 21. 

For the TMEA All State Band Etude Clinics and information, please contact:

Dr. Krista Jobson krista.jobson@utrgv.edu or Dr. Jonathan Guist jonathan.guist@utrgv.edu.

Highlights

Community Outreach

UTRGV School of Music hosts camps, clinics, festivals and a youth orchestra to bring music to the Rio Grande Valley Community.

UTRGV Arts

Attend a performance at one of our state-of-the-art facilities

Audition

Show your talents, join an ensemble

Contact College of Fine Arts


Brownsville

BMSLC 2.210
Email: cofa@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 665-2175

Edinburg

ELABS 334
Email: cofa@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 665-2175

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