"Students and faculty in the School of Music at West Texas A&M University will share their musical talents at the 38th annual Showcase of Music at 8 p.m. Friday, March 2 at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts in Amarillo.
This year marks the music program’s 100th anniversary, and the School of Music will mark the occasion with a Centennial Gala at the Embassy Suites just prior to the Showcase of Music presentation. Cocktails begin at 5:30 p.m., and dinner will follow at 6 p.m.
The Showcase of Music will begin with a traditional pre-show at 7:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts.
Main stage performances begin at 8 p.m. and will include the Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Band, WTAMU Chorale, Concert Band, Chamber Singers and Symphonic Band as well as ensembles, quartets and solo offerings.
“We are very excited to present this year’s Showcase of Music as we celebrate the department’s 100th anniversary,” Doug Storey, associate professor of music, said. “The program is the perfect way for us to celebrate a century of music education. Showcase is all about featuring our talented students, and we hope everyone will come and enjoy an evening of music with us.”
The Centennial Gala marks a major milestone of growth and success for the Department of Music. Four music courses were offered when West Texas State Normal College first opened in 1910, but it wasn’t until 1917 that the college officially established a music department with the hiring of Wallace R. Clark as head of the department. Clark stayed until 1951, building the program from the ground up and providing a strong foundation for a century of music at West Texas A&M University.
In 1980 faculty members decided to highlight student talent in a program called the Showcase of Music. It also provided a vehicle to raise funds for scholarships. Since that first Showcase 38 years ago, the department has raised almost $1 million to support the program’s scholarship fund.
Tickets for the event, priced at $15 for adults and $5 for students, are available at the music office in the Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex, Room 202, Tarpley’s Music in Amarillo or at the door the night of the concert. For more information and reservations for the gala banquet, contact the WTAMU music office at 806-651-2840."
-West Texas A&M University
