Dr. Mary L. Thornton Named Texas A&M System Regents Professor
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – For two decades, Dr. Mary L. Thornton, Professor of Music and Chair of the Department of Music, has dedicated herself to educating and inspiring the next generation of musicians at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Her years of hard work, leadership, and commitment to shaping young artists into confident professionals have been recognized by The Texas A&M University System, which named her a 2024-2025 Regents Professor — one of the system’s highest academic honors.
Thornton, who joined the Island University in 2005, earned unanimous approval for tenure and promotion and became a full professor in 2017. In 2020, Thornton began serving as department chair.
“Dr. Thornton is one of those teachers who puts 100% of herself into what she does,” said Shawn Lewis ’26, a music major. “She’s never not sacrificed for us. She also takes time out of winter and summer breaks to work with us on our educational goals. She inspires me to reflect that same level of dedication in the teacher I hope to become.”
Across her 20 years at the Island University, Thornton has established a legacy of student-centered teaching that reaches far beyond the walls of her classroom. Her students have become educators, graduate assistants, and professional musicians throughout Texas and the nation.
“The most gratifying part for me is when students are contributing in their own creative ways to carry on the things you’ve taught them,” Thornton said. “There’s something about music — the skills we impart one-on-one or in small classes are things they carry forward to their students. It’s not just trumpet lessons. It’s life lessons.”
For Thornton, teaching and performing are inseparable. Her creative activity often involves new compositions, performances, collaborations, and commissions that expand the repertoire for trumpet and chamber ensembles. Her innovative work includes commissioning and recording new musical compositions, such as her 2018 Drumpetello album and her most recent solo and ensemble album, “Songs for a Friend,” released in June 2023. The latter project, which features musicians from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and several major universities, was recently named a finalist for the American Prize in Chamber Music Performance. All proceeds benefit the Cancer Blows/Ryan Anthony Foundation.
“Dr. Thornton strikes the rare balance between maintaining high expectations and providing the support and expertise students need to reach them. Her extraordinary work ethic sets a standard that students are eager to emulate,” said Dr. Diana Sipes, Director of the TAMU-CC School of Arts, Media, & Communication. “Across teaching, creative activity, and service, Dr. Thornton’s contributions are truly distinguished, making her highly deserving of recognition as a Regents Professor.”
Beyond campus, Thornton maintains an active national and international performance career. She holds auditioned positions with the Corpus Christi, Victoria, and Mid-Texas Symphonies, and has performed with Monarch Brass, the Tucson Symphony, and the San Antonio Symphony, among others. Thornton has served on the Board of Directors for the Corpus Christi Chamber Music Society, the Executive Board of the American Federation of Musicians Local 23, and the Board of the International Trumpet Guild, where she secured a $60,000 COVID-19 relief grant and obtained funding for multiple national and international initiatives, including the Ryan Anthony Memorial Trumpet Competition. In 2025, she began chairing the ITG’s Solo Division competition.
Across every project, Thornton says her purpose stays the same.
“Music is one of the few things available to everyone and you can listen anywhere,” Thornton said. “It lets people express themselves without fear. It builds discipline, collaboration, creativity, and everything that makes the world a better place.”
