ENMU Department of Music

ENMU Department of Music Student Success - That's What It's All About! Individualized instruction from superb music faculty. A

Congratulations to ENMU Department of Music faculty, Dr. Marie Bird, mezzo-soprano, and Ms. Kayla Liechty, pianist, on a...
05/18/2026

Congratulations to ENMU Department of Music faculty, Dr. Marie Bird, mezzo-soprano, and Ms. Kayla Liechty, pianist, on a well-received and successful performance of cabaret art song in Santa Fe, NM, as part of the TGIF Concert Series!

Dr. Bird and Ms. Liechty performed to an appreciative audience, which included a very well-behaved greeter: Piper, the Bernedoodle. Piper listens attentively to every piece and barks right on the applause queue. Remarkable and 10/10 recommend!

Today we celebrate ENMU Department of Music faculty Dr. Tracy Carr, oboist, and Dr. Mark Dal Porto, pianist and composer...
05/18/2026

Today we celebrate ENMU Department of Music faculty Dr. Tracy Carr, oboist, and Dr. Mark Dal Porto, pianist and composer, who are performing Dr. Dal Porto’s composition, “Lyric Suite for Oboe and Piano,” as Duo Encantada in Brno, Czech Republic, at 7 pm this evening. Congratulations, Drs. Carr and Dal Porto!

🎶 Danny Bird says you should come hear his Mama, Dr. Marie Bird, and her friend, Kayla Liechty, give a concert series re...
05/14/2026

🎶 Danny Bird says you should come hear his Mama, Dr. Marie Bird, and her friend, Kayla Liechty, give a concert series recital tomorrow - Friday, May 15 - at First Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe, NM, at 5:30 pm. This concert is FREE of charge! Danny also wants you to know their program features art song by Satie, Weill, Hollaender, Dring, and Bolcom and, based on personal experience, will have you rocking and rolling all across the floor. 👶

Join us if you’re able! 🎶

🎶 At the Cactus Theatre today in Lubbock, TX, three of our ENMU Department of Music faculty, Dr. Richard Schwartz 🎷, Dr....
05/11/2026

🎶 At the Cactus Theatre today in Lubbock, TX, three of our ENMU Department of Music faculty, Dr. Richard Schwartz 🎷, Dr. Bruce Keeling 🪊, and Dr. Peter Grubisich 🪘, performed a concert with Tito Puente, Jr., son of Tito Puente, the famed Latin jazz and mambo musician. Tito Puente, known as “El Rey de los Timbales” or “The King of the Timbales,” received the “Billboard” Latin Music Lifetime Achievement Award, a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (posthumously). His son, Tito Puente, Jr., keeps his father’s legacy alive in concerts at performing arts centers, jazz festivals, and casinos nationwide.

We celebrate this fantastic opportunity for these ENMU faculty! 🎶

💚🤍 🎶 ENMU GRADUATING SENIOR MUSIC MAJORS! 🎶 🤍💚 We are very proud of you and your many accomplishments. We wish you the v...
05/05/2026

💚🤍 🎶 ENMU GRADUATING SENIOR MUSIC MAJORS! 🎶 🤍💚

We are very proud of you and your many accomplishments. We wish you the very best!

DOMINIQUE BARRERA, winter 2025 graduate

Degree: Bachelor of Music Education, Choral Emphasis

Current and future plans: “I am currently running my own private voice and trumpet studio where I give lessons to students of all ages. I also am the music director and praise leader at Emmanuel Baptist Church here in Portales. I hope to continue growing my studio and eventually be able to put on studio recitals and grow a more musical community in my hometown. “

Favorite ENMU Music Memory: “Performing in Carnegie Hall in New York with the ENMU Chamber Choir in Spring of 2022.”

NATALIE BEGAYE, spring 2026 graduate

Degree: Bachelor of Music Education with Instrumental Emphasis, minor in piano

Current and future plans: “I plan to become a band director and work for 2-3 years at any school. I want to get some experience before applying for graduate school to get my master's degree in wind conducting. I hope to return to my hometown afterwards to build the band program that helped flourish my passion for music.”

Favorite ENMU Music Memory: “There are so many memories that I cherish. Most come from the ENMU trumpet studio and the ensembles that I've had the opportunity to participate in. One memory that sticks out to me is making the National Trumpet Competition live rounds and being able to rehearse with the ENMU NTC (National Trumpet Competition) group at a higher level in music.”

KAYLEE CASTRO, spring 2026 graduate

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Music, minor in piano and music technology, and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Current and future plans: “ I plan to teach piano on the side as I figure out if I want to go to grad school for film scoring or music building technology. I also plan to do freelance work for small indie studios, composing/producing their music.”

Favorite ENMU Music Memory: “My favorite ENMU music memory was collaborating with a film student, composing and producing music for their short film. It showed me how the collaborative process can be fun and exciting when everyone is passionate about what they do.”

JARED FISHBURN, spring 2026 graduate

Degree: Bachelor of Music Education, Instrumental Emphasis
Current and future plans: “I plan on working as a music educator in New Mexico, with the ultimate goal of running a high school band program.”

Favorite ENMU Music Memory: “Performing at the National Trumpet Competition in 2025. The whole process, from late night rehearsals to the actual performance was a great experience, helping me grow as a musician and getting to work so hard for a common goal with my colleagues.”

LANDON JORDAN, winter 2025 graduate

Degree: Bachelor of Music Performance, Trumpet Emphasis

Current and future plans: “ I will be attending UNM Fall 2026 to begin the Master of Music degree in Trumpet Performance and I also was awarded a Brass Quintet assistantship. Additional future goals are to play in a professional level orchestra or military band.”

Favorite ENMU Music Memory: “So many to choose from, but I'd say getting to play with The Roswell Symphony Orchestra and Hobbs Orchestra were some of my favorite memories, along with all the Wind Symphony concerts, the Marching Band, Recitals, etc. I can not leave out how much fun the Steel Band was in my last semester, had an absolute blast from beginning to end.”

MARCOS LOPEZ, spring 2026 graduate

Degree: Bachelor of Music Education, Instrumental Emphasis and Bachelor of Music (Trumpet Performance)

Current and future plans: “I will be pursuing a Master of Music in Trumpet Performance and Literature. At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I have accepted a Teaching Assistantship with the Athletic Bands.”

Favorite ENMU Music Memory: “My favorite ENMU music memory is traveling to ITG (International Trumpet Guild) in Salt Lake City, Utah. There were many memorable performances from big names in the trumpet world. It was also a blast to hang out with my friends as we explored the conference and Salt Lake.”

MIGUEL MARTINEZ, spring 2026 graduate

Degree: Bachelor in Music (Tuba Performance)
Current and future plans: “ I will be going forth in a pursuit in a masters degree in performance and working my way towards eventually getting my DMA.”

Favorite ENMU Music Memory: “My favorite memory is hard to pick from the multitude of special moments I've had at ENMU, but one of my favorite moments would be performing at TCU for the CBDNA (College Band Directors National Association) convention this past year with my colleagues!”

MILAGROS TRUJILLO, spring 2026 graduate

Degree: Bachelor in Music Education, Instrumental Emphasis

Current and future plans: “I am hoping to get a job teaching music in Clovis and I am also engaged to be married.”

Favorite ENMU Music Memory: “I was very happy to take part in and perform in the celebration of Mr. Seifert’s 25th anniversary at ENMU.”

🎼This past Wednesday, many of our ENMU music majors were celebrated as scholarship and award recipients in the College o...
05/04/2026

🎼This past Wednesday, many of our ENMU music majors were celebrated as scholarship and award recipients in the College of Fine Arts at our annual ENMU College of Fine Arts Awards Ceremony. Shown here are our music majors who were in attendance at the awards ceremony.

Congratulations, students! It was so wonderful to celebrate you. We are so proud of each and every one of you! 🎼

Join us for an afternoon of music and celebration! 🎶Dr. Bengoa’s Studio and Student Practicum Recital will take place on...
04/30/2026

Join us for an afternoon of music and celebration! 🎶

Dr. Bengoa’s Studio and Student Practicum Recital will take place on Monday, May 4th at 5:15 PM in Buchanan Hall. Come support our talented students as they share the results of their hard work and musical growth throughout the semester.

A reception will follow in the Choir Room. Stay and help us celebrate their achievements!

🎶 STUDENT CONCERT FAVORITES 🎶 Contessa Glaser, French hornist, is a junior pursing the Bachelor of Music Education degre...
04/29/2026

🎶 STUDENT CONCERT FAVORITES 🎶

Contessa Glaser, French hornist, is a junior pursing the Bachelor of Music Education degree with Instrumental Emphasis. She will be performing in the ENMU Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony concert this coming Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 3:00PM, inBuchanan Hall.

Contessa tells us, “I am looking forward to performing in the upcoming WS/SB concert. I am especially excited to perform “Dancing Fire,” by Kevin Day, as I really enjoy the horn part. Its fast-paced and energetic style makes it both challenging and rewarding to play. I am also looking forward to being conducted by two of my peers, Aliyah and Aryn, who are serving as student conductors in both the Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band. It has been a fun and rewarding experience to rehearse with them and to observe their growth as conductors throughout this process.”

Edwin Mejia, trombonist, is a sophomore pursuing the Bachelor of Music Education degree with Instrumental Emphasis and Bachelor of Music degree in Instrumental Performance. He will be performing in the ENMU Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony concert this coming Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 3:00PM, in Buchanan Hall.

Edwin shares, “I am really looking forward to performing, ‘The Wizard of Oz ,’” arranged by James Barnes, and, “Suite of Old American Dances,” by Robert Russell Bennett. Both of these pieces have pushed me as a musician and allowed me to improve my music reading as well as giving me a challenge. I really look forward to playing this music with all my colleagues and can’t wait to play amazing music for our community!”
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What: ENMU Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony Concert
Where: Buchanan Hall | ENMU Department of Music Building
When: Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 3:00pm.

🎶🎷 Francisco Rodriguez-Bryant’s Junior Recital! 🎷🎶 This Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 7pm in Buchanan Hall, Francisco Rod...
04/29/2026

🎶🎷 Francisco Rodriguez-Bryant’s Junior Recital! 🎷🎶

This Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 7pm in Buchanan Hall, Francisco Rodriguez-Bryant will perform his Junior Recital in partial fulfillment of the Bachelor of Music Education: Instrumental degree.

Francisco’s recital program combines standard concert repertoire for saxophone, along with jazz tunes in collaboration with a rhythm section. This recital program includes works by Piazzolla, Banks, Smith, Wagnein, Durham, Hancock, and Silver. Collaborators on this program include Dr. Ge (pianist), Amahni Prespentt (vibraphonist), Brandon Jones (electric bassist), and Dalton Binkley (drummer).

Francisco shares that his favorite piece he’ll perform is “Butterfly” by American jazz pianist and composer, Herbie Hancock, because, “…it sounds cool.”👂😎 He hopes audience members leave his recital understanding he enjoyed performing his jazz pieces most of all. 🎷🎸🥁🎹
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What: Francisco Rodriguez-Bryan’s Junior Recital
Where: Buchanan Hall | ENMU Department of Music Building
When: Thursday, April 30, 2026 | 7pm

We are thrilled to celebrate one of our own!Congratulations to our faculty member, Ms. Kayla Liechty, on receiving the P...
04/25/2026

We are thrilled to celebrate one of our own!

Congratulations to our faculty member, Ms. Kayla Liechty, on receiving the Presidential Award for Excellence in Service! This is an incredible and well-deserved honor, and we are so proud to have such a dedicated and inspiring educator as part of our department.

It is truly exciting to see one of our faculty recognized with such a prestigious award, reflecting the impact she makes both on our students and our community.

“I was truly surprised and humbled to receive the ENMU Presidential Award for Excellence in Service at yesterday’s awards ceremony. As all my educator friends know, we teach because of our commitment to and care for our students - not for accolades or attaboys. I was honored by this recognition, however, and enjoyed spending time with some of my very dear friends and colleagues at the shindig. Congratulations to every faculty nominee in the areas of Teaching, Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity, Service, and Advising, and continuing gratitude to my Department of Music colleagues who serve our students each day with excellence and intention. It is a tremendous blessing to serve our ENMU students, our institution, and our Portales community." ~ Kayla Liechty, Collaborative Pianist and Vocal Coach

Please join us in congratulating Ms. Liechty on this outstanding achievement!

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1500 S Avenue K, ENMU Station 16
Portales, NM
88130

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