Categories: School of Music and Fine Arts

HPU names Dr. Jonathan Kraemer to director of bands position

BROWNWOOD – June 23, 2023 – Howard Payne University has recently announced Dr. Jonathan Kraemer will serve as director of bands. His 15 years of experience includes directing bands in Texas public schools, instructing in HPU’s summer Band Leadership Camp and teaching private music lessons. He most recently served as director of bands at Abilene […]

HPU speech and debate students earn awards, champion titles at national tournaments

BROWNWOOD – April 27, 2023 – Howard Payne University’s Student Speaker Bureau speech and debate team recently earned top honors at two national tournaments. The team attended the International Public Debate Association (IPDA) national tournament at Boise State University, followed by the National Christian College Forensics Association (NCCFA) national tournament at Northwest Nazarene University, in […]

HPU Pre-College Music students recognized at UIL Regional Contest

BROWNWOOD – April 24, 2023 – Andrew Boren, Alecs Butka and Matthew Till, students in Howard Payne University’s Pre-College Music program, successfully competed at the University Interscholastic League (UIL) Regional Contest in February. All three students earned First Division Superior ratings in their categories. Each competed in the Piano Solo Event, while Boren also participated […]

HPU speech and debate clinches debate sweepstakes at TIFA; two students named to Texas All State Forensics Squad

BROWNWOOD – February 16, 2023 – Howard Payne University’s Student Speaker Bureau speech and debate team clinched the debate sweepstakes at the recent Texas Intercollegiate Forensics Association (TIFA) Championship and won third place overall sweepstakes. Competing against much larger Division I and Division II schools, HPU students claimed top honors in both National Parliamentary Debate […]

Central Texas Community Band to begin spring rehearsals at HPU

BROWNWOOD – January 19, 2023 – The Central Texas Community Band will begin its spring rehearsals on Monday, January 23, at 7:30 p.m. in the Davidson Music Complex’s Band Rehearsal Hall on the campus of Howard Payne University. Frank Nelson, director of bands and assistant professor of music at HPU, will direct the ensemble along […]

Heart of Texas New Horizons Band, hosted by HPU, offers class for beginners

BROWNWOOD – January 5, 2023 – A new class for beginning musicians will be held this spring by the Heart of Texas New Horizons Band (HOTNHB), offered by Howard Payne University’s School of Music and Fine Arts. Participation in the popular program, now entering its third year, is open to senior adults, and no previous […]

HPU’s speech and debate team competes in first tournament of 2022-2023 season

BROWNWOOD – December 5, 2022 – Howard Payne University’s speech and debate team, Student Speaker Bureau, competed at its first tournament of the 2022-2023 season in October. Junior Landon Chenault, social science jurisprudence and Guy D. Newman Honors Academy major from Denton, won the varsity division of individual International Public Debate Association (IPDA) debate. The […]

HPU Symphonic Band and Central Texas Community Band present Christmas concert

BROWNWOOD – November 17, 2022 – Howard Payne University’s Symphonic Band and the Central Texas Community Band will present a community Christmas concert on Tuesday, November 29, at 7:30 p.m. The concert will be held at HPU’s Mims Auditorium and is free of charge. Compositions featured will include “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson, “Boughs of […]

HPU hosts TMEA All-State Small School Choir workshop

BROWNWOOD – October 7, 2022 – On Saturday, September 24, the Howard Payne University choir hosted several schools from University Interscholastic League (UIL) Regions 6 and 7 in a “last look” workshop, focused on the music from the TMEA All-State Small School Choir audition process. High schools represented included Brownwood, Burkburnett, Iowa Park, Mineral Wells, […]

HPU to host UIL workshops in journalism, speech and debate

BROWNWOOD – October 4, 2022 – Howard Payne University’s Student Speaker Bureau (SSB) speech and debate team invites area high school UIL teams to participate in its speech and debate workshop and journalism events workshop. The events will be held at HPU’s Mabee University Center and the Paul and Jane Meyer Faith and Life Leadership […]

Central Texas Community Band begins rehearsals for fall 2022 at HPU

BROWNWOOD – September 8, 2022 – The Central Texas Community Band’s rehearsals for the fall 2022 season are under way. The band, hosted by Howard Payne University, meets on Monday evenings in the Davidson Music Complex with rehearsals beginning at 7:30 p.m. Participation in the band is open to individuals of age 14 through senior […]

HPU to host new season of Brownwood Community Choir

BROWNWOOD – August 26, 2022 – The Brownwood Community Choir, formerly University Singers, is set to begin rehearsals for the group’s 2022-2023 season on Monday, August 29. Rehearsals will be held weekly on Monday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in room 503 of Howard Payne University’s Davidson Music Complex. The choir is under […]

Howard Payne University works to serve needs of rural Texas schools

BROWNWOOD – August 2, 2022 – Howard Payne University’s School of Education and School of Music and Fine Arts are taking steps to help fulfill needs of rural schools in Texas. The School of Education’s focus is to provide highly qualified teachers, while the School of Music and Fine Arts provides a wide range of […]

HPU presents degrees to 144 graduates at recent Commencement ceremonies

BROWNWOOD – June 30, 2022 – Howard Payne University presented degrees to 144 graduates at Commencement ceremonies held for fall 2021 and spring 2022 graduates. Degrees were conferred by Dr. Cory Hines, HPU president, and other university personnel. Abilene Jordan Givens, Bachelor of Arts in strategic communication Bethany McClure, Bachelor of Arts in Christian education […]

HPU senior Haleigh Clevenger to present art exhibition May 2-6

BROWNWOOD – April 27, 2022 – Howard Payne University’s Haleigh Clevenger will present her senior art exhibition May 2-6 at the Dorothy and Wendell Mayes Art Gallery, in HPU’s Doakie Day Art Center. The public is invited to an opening reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, May 2. The gallery will then […]

HPU to host Heart of Texas New Horizons Band inaugural concert on April 24

BROWNWOOD – April 18, 2022 – The Heart of Texas New Horizons Band will present its inaugural concert on Sunday, April 24, at 3 p.m. in Howard Payne University’s Grace Chapel. The program is free of charge and open to the public. Stephen Goacher, HPU professor of music as well as the New Horizons Band’s […]

HPU’s Goacher conducts TMEA Region VI Jazz Band

BROWNWOOD – April 21, 2022 – Howard Payne University’s Stephen Goacher, professor of music, was selected to conduct the Texas Music Educators Association Region VI Jazz Band that performed at the Wylie High School Performing Arts Center in March. Under the direction of Goacher, the 20-piece ensemble performed works by George Gershwin, Alan Baylock, Joe […]

HPU speech and debate wins third straight debate sweepstakes at TIFA

BROWNWOOD – September 8, 2021 – Howard Payne University’s Student Speaker Bureau speech and debate team won their third consecutive Texas Intercollegiate Forensics Association (TIFA) Championship debate sweepstakes and second place overall sweepstakes. This is the first time in the team’s history to earn back-to-back-to-back debate championships. Devin Schurman, junior from San Antonio majoring in […]

Christmas concert to be performed at HPU on Nov. 30

BROWNWOOD – November 19, 2021 – The Central Texas Community Band and the Howard Payne University Symphonic Band will present a Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 30, at L.J. Mims Auditorium. The concert is free and open to the public. The concert, titled “A Star in the Sky,” will feature Christmas favorites, including classic […]

HPU to host UIL workshops on Nov. 10

BROWNWOOD – October 22, 2021 – Howard Payne University’s Student Speaker Bureau (SSB) speech and debate team invites area high school UIL teams to participate in its speech and debate workshop and journalism events workshop. The events will be held at HPU’s Mabee University Center and the Paul and Jane Meyer Faith and Life Leadership Center on […]