Jimmy D. Case College of Literature, Arts, & Social Sciences

DEPARTMENT OF VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS

Jimmy D. Case College of Literature, Arts, & Social Sciences

DEPARTMENT OF VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS

MUSIC

The Music Program at Sul Ross State University offers one of the distinctive Texas music programs, providing high-quality education and performance opportunities across vocal performance, instrumental performance, music education, and music business. Students in our program develop the artistic, pedagogical, and professional skills needed to pursue careers in performance, teaching, composition, music industry roles, and related creative fields throughout Texas and beyond.

The Bachelor of Music degree offers concentrations including:

  • vocal performance
  • instrumental performance
  • vocal music education
  • instrumental music education
  • music business

Our comprehensive musical education serves as the foundation for a career in music. Coupled with the certification requirements of the Education Department, students will qualify to teach music to grades K-12 in public or private schools.

Sul Ross State University also offers the BM degree in Music Business. For those students not interested in certification, the music program can also prepare students for opportunities in the music field such as teaching in the private studio, music business and merchandising, music composition and arranging, and music technology.

Students may also choose Music as a Minor. A music minor affords the student the opportunity to develop musical skills and to further explore musical creativity. To complete a Music Minor, students must earn at least 18 semester credit hours in Music coursework. Required courses include MUS 1311, Theory I and MUS 1116, Ear Training 1. Students must complete four hours of vocal or instrumental ensembles and no more than four of these count toward the 18 semester credit hours total. Students also take six hours of upper division work, including upper-level applied lessons.

Catalog Links:

Careers After Graduation

Graduates of our Texas music programs pursue careers in a wide range of fields, including public and private school music education, ensemble performance, music composition and arranging, music technology, music industry management, and community arts leadership.

  • Accompanist
  • Church Choir Director
  • City Cultural Events Planner
  • College Music Professor
  • Composer
  • Conductor
  • Director of Bands
  • Director of Vocal Studies
  • Broadway Singer
  • Film Score Composer
  • Freelance Songwriter
  • Instrumentalist
  • Lyricist
  • Music Therapist
  • Radio/TV Commercial Musician

Scholarship Audition Process:

Vocalist

  • One Art song in French, Italian, or German (accompanist provided)
  • One Art song in English (accompanist provided)

Instrumentalist

  • Scales in Major (and Minor)
  • Two prepared solo works in contrasting styles

Auditions are each year in February or March.
Contact Dr. Andrew Alegría at andrew.alegria@sulross.edu for more information about scholarships.

Why Choose Our Texas Music Programs

Sul Ross State University’s music program blends performance, education, and industry-oriented coursework to prepare students for a variety of careers in music. Whether your goals lie in choral conducting, instrumental performance, teaching, composition, or music business, our curriculum and ensemble opportunities offer a strong foundation rooted in Texas’s rich musical culture.

Ensembles, Performances, and Experiences

Students participate in vocal ensembles, wind ensembles, jazz and mariachi groups, and other performance opportunities that enrich their training and visibility as musicians in both academic and community settings.

Serving Musicians Across Texas

As a Texas-based program, Sul Ross State University attracts students from across the state seeking vibrant performance opportunities, comprehensive musical education, and preparation for careers in education, performance, and music industry roles throughout Texas and the Southwest.

Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Music Programs

What careers can I pursue with a music degree?

Graduates often become music educators, performers, composers, arrangers, arts administrators, and music business professionals throughout Texas and nationwide.

Do I need an audition to enter the music major?

Yes – the department holds auditions for majors and scholarship consideration, helping tailor placement and support for individual students.

SPRING 2026 CONCERT CALENDAR

February

  • 06, Friday — 6:00 PM — Bokyung Byun Guitar Recital — SPEC
  • 07, Saturday — 1:00 PM — Guitar Masterclass — MoBB
  • 07, Saturday — 3:00 PM — Luthier Showcase — MoBB
  • 07, Saturday — 6:00 PM — Bokyung Byun Guitar Recital — MoBB
  • 27, Friday — All Day — Music Major for a Day — FAB
  • 27, Friday — 3:00 PM — Music Recital Hour — ST

March

  • 25, Wednesday — 7:30 PM — Chamber Singers Performance — FUMC
  • 27, Friday — 4:00 PM — Music Recital Hour — ST

April

  • 03, Friday — 11:45 AM — Banda Lobos Performs at Spring Carnival — UCM
  • 21, Tues — 7:30 PM — Chamber Ensemble/Banda Lobos Concert — ST
  • 24, Friday — 4:00 PM — Music Honors Recital — ST
  • 26, Sunday — 3:00 PM — Guitar Ensemble Performance — ST

May

  • 01, Friday — 7:30 PM — BBCC and Concert Choir Performance — TBD
  • 03, Friday — 3:00 PM — BBCC and Concert Choir Performance — TBD

ACC = Alpine Civic Center

ACH = Alpine Courthouse

GT = Granada Theatre

FAB = Fine Arts Building, SRSU

FUMC = First United Methodist Church, Alpine

FPCM = First Presbyterian Church, Marfa

MA = Marshall Auditorium, Morelock Building, SRSU

MoBB = Museum of the Big Bend

SPEC = St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Marfa, TX

ST = Studio Theatre in Fine Arts Building, SRSU

SJEC = St James’ Episcopal Church

UC = University Center, SRSU

UCM = University Center Mall, SRSU

MUSIC FACULTY

Andrew Alegría, DMA

Director of Choral Activities and Vocal Studies

andrew.alegria@sulross.edu

Marina Azar, MM

Guitar Studies

marina.azar@sulross.edu

Clara Brill, MM

String Studies

clara.brill@sulross.edu

Lana Potts

Staff Accompanist

lana.potts@sulross.edu

Milton Crotts, DMA

Director of Bands and Instrumental Studies

milton.crotts@sulross.edu

Karrin Ford, DMA, PhD

Director of Keyboard Studies

karrin.ford@sulross.edu

Nicolas Hurt, MM

Guitar Studies

nicolas.hurt@sulross.edu

Beth Kerzee

Staff Accompanist

beth.kerzee@sulross.edu

RECENT CONCERTS:

SRSU Concert Choir Fall 2024

SRSU Concert Choir Scotland Tour "A Yellow Rose"