Student, Faculty & Alumni Success

March 2026

À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Faculty and Alumna Shine at Mid-South Horn Workshop

The McLennan Department of Music was well represented at the Mid-South Horn Workshop in Nacogdoches, Texas, over Spring Break. Dr. Kim Hagelstein, À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Assistant Professor of Horn, performed with the Texas Horn Professors Horn Choir and served as a judge for one of the workshop’s competitions. In addition, Caitlyn Cantrell, a former student of Dr. Hagelstein’s at À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ who is now pursuing her master’s degree at Baylor University, presented a lecture titled “When the Alphorn Enters the Concert Hall: From Mozart to the Modern Stage.” Cantrell was also named a finalist in the Graduate Solo Competition. Go, Highlanders!

Wide composite image showing a group of musicians performing on stage with French horns under theatrical lighting, a classroom scene where an instructor points to a projected presentation on a screen, and a closer view of horn players performing while a conductor leads them, all set against dark stage backgrounds and indoor academic settings.

February 2026

À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Students, Faculty Perform at Texas Music Educators Association State Conference

In February, À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ students performed at the annual Texas Music Educators Association state conference in San Antonio, an event that showcases the finest students from two-year colleges across Texas. Selected through a rigorous audition process, À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ representatives included Trish Huynh, Aundraya Jacobs-London, and Mason Kusler, who performed with the TTCCDA Two-Year College All-State Choir, and Rachel Holden, Archie Hatten V, Elia Salas, Gabriel Valdivia, Riley Malloy, and Aidan O’Shields, who performed with the TCCBDA All-State Wind Symphony. Additionally, Dr. Jared Eben served as the collaborative pianist for the TTCCDA All-State Choir. Congratulations to these outstanding students and faculty members on this prestigious achievement!

Composite image featuring a group of students and faculty standing together in formal black attire inside a performance venue, next to the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) logo in blue, and a separate photo of three students holding brass and woodwind instruments while wearing conference badges in a warmly lit hallway.

December 2025

À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Faculty Member Featured on BBC-Acclaimed Holiday Album

À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ faculty member Jenna Hernandez McLean is featured for her involvement with the acclaimed choral ensemble Ensemble Altera and their new Christmas album, Feminine Voices at Christmas, which celebrates the richness of women’s voices in holiday music. Feminine Voices at Christmas has earned a 5-star review and the Christmas Choice designation from BBC Music Magazine, highlighting the group’s exceptional artistry and musical excellence. Congratulations to Jenna Hernandez McLean and Ensemble Altera on this distinguished recognition!

Composite promotional image with a close-up portrait on the left, album cover art in the center reading “Feminine Voices at Christmas – Ensemble Altera, Christopher Lowrey” with illustrated stars on tree branches, and a performance image on the right showing a small vocal ensemble singing from sheet music in a warmly lit indoor setting.

November 2025

À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Alumnus Leads Rosebud-Lott Band to UIL 2A State Finals

À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ alumnus Jordan Sundermann (Class of ’18) has led the Rosebud-Lott High School Cougar Band to remarkable success this fall, qualifying for the UIL 2A State Marching Band Competition in San Antonio. Under her direction, the band advanced through regional and area contests and earned a place in the state finals, finishing 6th overall in Class 2A. Congratulations to Jordan Sundermann and the Cougar Band on this outstanding achievement!

Composite image featuring four scenes: a portrait of a student holding a flute, a person posing beside a sign reading “Welcome to the Alamodome San Antonio,” a costumed marching band performance with a performer emerging from a decorative arch, and a wide stadium view of a marching band performing on a football field during a UIL State Championships event.