Mission
The mission of Southwest Music Academy is to
- Instill an appreciation and enthusiasm for music;
- Help children reap the rewards of music education; and
- Support and enrich the school music programs in our community.
History
Southwest Music Academy is a community-based, non-profit organization dedicated to providing music education to students ages five through 18 years old.
The Academy is the off-shoot of the very popular Sands Band Camp which began more than 30 years ago.
The Sands Band Camp was the product of all the middle school band directors coming together in the summer to give their beginning band students a jump
start on the school year as well as an opportunity to their keep older students playing during the break.
In 2008, Southwest Music Academy was formed to expand the summer camp from a middle school band camp to six different camps including middle school orchestra,
high school full symphony orchestra and elementary camps. The Academy is the result of several music educators who saw several signs of need … a decline
in the the number of students enrolling in band, orchestra and choir classes in middle school. This organization was formed to support the educators, parents and
students in a way that allows music education to flourish in Las Cruces.
Our staff of outstanding music educators has varied backgrounds and extensive experience. All have over a dozen years of successful experience teaching Las Cruces
Public School students. Several have been named Music Educators of the Year and served as President/Vice President of the New Mexico Music Educators Association.