Del Mar College’s Music Department now has a permanent installation honoring the inductees of its Music Hall of Fame.

The department hosted an unveiling of the Music Honor Wall horning all the Hall of Fame inductees on March 3 on the third floor of the General Academic and Music Building A. The event featured the unveiling of the new tribute to over 300 Del Mar Music Department alumni dating back to 1959. The ceremony recognized alumni and highlighted the college’s long-standing commitment to musical success.

“The new music wall was inspired by a combination of things, the first being the old wall we have in the old music building and keeping the prestige and tradition that we had on the old wall and bring it here to this newer building,” said Professor and DMC Music Department Chair Cynthia Longoria.

The Music Honors Wall serves as a permanent recognition of the contributions and achievements of past students who have shaped the college’s music program. Students and faculty expressed how the wall provides a sense of pride and connection to the college’s musical legacy.

“The Music Honors Wall is to recognize students from the past who have worked very hard and practiced to get where they are and to recognize that,” said current student Benjamin Aldana. “If [a student]’s ever doubtful of where he is in life, looking back at the Music Honors Wall will help hype him up.” 

Following the Music Honors Wall unveiling was the annual Honors Recital.

“Students prepared music that they’ve worked on at the highest caliber and in their studios with their teachers to create music that is top notch,” Longoria said.

The Honors Recital features the following 2025 Music Honors Wall inductees:

Benjamin Aldana, trombone, Malaki Cardenas, guitar, Angel Garza, flute, Michael Hinojosa, clarinet, Robert Naranjo, alto saxophone, and Oscar Rivera, piano.

“Del Mar has students who have continued on as musicians and are performing professionally and are returning to share with us their talents,” Longoria said. “We believe they’ve been successful in whatever they do because of their success here at Del Mar.”

With the unveiling of the Music Honor Wall, past and present musicians now share a space of recognition and inspiration.