Whatever else can be said of the Arts Magnet High School, it cannot be denied the Music Cluster is a winner. Over it's ten year history, this spirited group of students and teachers have garnered an impressive collection of awards, critical acclaim, scholarship winners, positive media coverage and just downright enthralled listeners in local, state and national events and competitions. Some of the events include ensemble appearances at the Texas Music Educator's Conference, the Texas Group Piano Association Conference, the Music Educator's National Conference, the National Association of Jazz Educator's Convention, and appearances before such dignitaries as Governor and Mrs. White and Vice President George Bush. Outstanding students have received national awards from the Arts Recognition and Talent Search in both classical and jazz categories and every year since 1978 the Texas All-State selection committee has chosen students from the Arts Magnet. The LP albums produced almost annually serve not only as yearbooks of sound, but also as testaments of quality. In 1986 the AMHS jazz ensembles and other students led the U.S. and Canada in winning an unprecedented ten "deebee" recording awards from DownBeat Magazine including five first place awards.
One of the Music Cluster's primary goals is to prepare students for further study in college or university settings. The five general areas of orchestral strings, piano, voice, guitar and band instruments not only prepare students in performance, but also training is required in music theory, listening, history, keyboard and writing. Although not all graduates make their careers in musical performance, the solid training gives students an everlasting love for music and the discipline to apply their strength to whatever field they ultimately undertake.

Douglas T. Cornell
Coordinator of Music
AMHS

Arts Magnet High School Music Faculty

Douglas Cornell - Coordinator of Music
Dave Alexander - Composition/Jazz Vocal
Celia Bennett - Piano/Musicianship
Kent Ellingson - Musicianship
Betty Farmer - Piano/Musicianship
Nina Johnson - Show Choir/Opera
Rebecca Keister - Piano/Organ/Musicianship
Bart Marantz - Jazz Studies
Luis Martinez - Band/Musicianship
Chuck Pangburn - guitar
Frances Schultz - Orchestral Strings
Michael Terrell - Choral Music/Musicianship