About the Department of Music

The Department of Music at Fort Hays State University has been an integral part of Kansas since its inception in 1912. Since 1967, it has been housed in Malloy Hall, named after the department's founder, Henry Edward Malloy. The prestigious Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center was opened on campus in 1991, offering the department and the community a state-of-the-art performing facility that has become the center of cultural activity in the region.

The Department of Music offers students a unique blend of individualized training and performance opportunities not often found in larger institutions. Rather than getting lost in the crowd and becoming another number, at FHSU, all music students have the opportunity of hands-on training in teaching, performance experiences in a variety of venues, and side-by-side mentorship with faculty in ensembles such as the Hays Symphony Orchestra. The Western Kansas String Academy offers college string students the chance to learn and practice pedagogical skills from the very beginning of their university career, providing an invaluable real-world advantage. We also look to the future of music, and how it is profoundly influenced by the growth of technology and information sharing. Our Music Technology program is the only one of its kind in the region. Be sure to visit our ensembles page to learn about opportunities to perform in Band/Marching Band, Choir, Opera, Jazz, Orchestra, and a host of other ensembles.

Not content to rest on our laurels, music faculty members are actively paving the way for the future of the department. Our faculty members are engaged in pedagogical research, music-education training programs, innovative compositions, scholarly research, and national and international performances. The Department of Music was first accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music in 1944. It has since remained a successfully accredited music institution, and our pedagogical aims and goals are consistent with the best of current national music standards.

Our success in student engagement, community involvement, and regional cultural leadership are all reasons that make us unique and dynamic. Our graduates go on to provide musical training and inspiration to countless others in the region and the nation.