About Us

Our Mission

The mission of the McIntire Department of Music builds upon its liberal arts foundation, and its traditions in the study of western music to embrace two of the central issues of our time: the globalization of society and the development of new technologies.

Our innovative program in Critical and Comparative Studies in Music offers a music-centered approach to understanding complex cultural processes; the focus of these studies ranges from western art music, to African and African-American music, to contemporary music, including classical, folk and vernacular styles.

Our commitment to music and new technologies is reflected in the expansion of our composition program to include digital music and in our development of the Virginia Center for Computer Music. At the same time, we foster creative approaches to traditional instrumental composition. Moreover, while continuing to honor the study of music as a liberal art, we have taken bold steps to strengthen the role of performance, an aspect of music that we hold central to our educational, research and outreach missions.

The Program

As a liberal arts department, music has a two-fold mission to serve both aspiring music professionals and non-professionals for whom music is a vital interest. Members of the distinguished academic faculty of historians, theorists and composers are principally involved in training students in the materials of their craft, as well as engaging them in ideas about music and its larger cultural context. Students thus may learn the principles of theory, analysis and composition, study history, criticism, and interdisciplinary approaches, and investigate new or lesser-known musical worlds, whether computer music, jazz, ethnic musics, performance practice, women and music, or unfamiliar terrain within the broad umbrella of Western European art music. Such studies are available to students at all levels from the uninformed music lover to the skilled professional pursuing advanced work.

The Students

Currently there are more than sixty students majoring in music. Almost all of these students combine a major in music with a major or minor in another discipline. Many music majors plan for graduate studies in law or medicine. The classes for the major, all of them taught by faculty members, are of moderate size, from 5 or 6 to 25 students. After completing the required courses for the major, most students elect to take additional courses at the advanced undergraduate or graduate level.

Almost all music majors choose to supplement their academic studies with musical performance in ensembles and/or individual instruction in instruments or voice, for which scholarships are available. Students who qualify may work towards a Distinguished Major in Music History, Composition, or Performance.

Students who intend to continue their musical studies in graduate school are strongly encouraged to take advanced courses in music. Many faculty members offer independent study for those who would like to begin composition or who wish to explore some specific topic in musical studies. Example topics for these individual tutorials include the last piano sonatas of Mozart, the songs of Debussy, and the early works of Duke Ellington. Students who qualify may work towards a Distinguished Major in Music History, Composition, or Performance.

Academic Faculty

The Department of Music has sixteen academic faculty members, many of whom have received awards from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Performance Faculty

The outstanding performance faculty leads a multifaceted program that maintains a high standard of excellence and offers a broad spectrum of musical experiences for the aspiring conductor, performer, and listener. As instructors they direct and coach performance groups and offer private instruction. As performers, they serve as principals in the orchestra, present a chamber music series, and give recitals throughout the academic year.

The Music Library

The Music Library is the largest in the Commonwealth. It contains over 90,000 books and scores, 38,000 sound recordings, and over 10,000 microfilms. The collection focuses on classical music, jazz, and folk music, and includes some popular music and several specialized research collections. The music librarian is a member of the faculty and teaches a course in music bibliography, which all music majors take as an adjunct to their course in music history.

The Virginia Center for Computer Music

The Virginia Center for Computer Music, founded in 1988 by composer and Professor Judith Shatin, is the region's most advanced facility for work in computer sound generation and related topics. In 1991, in recognition of its achievements, the program was awarded an Academic Enhancement Award by the University.

Music Performance

Music instruction is offered for credit on all instruments and voice; registration takes place at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters. In addition there are several ensembles directed by faculty for academic credit, and the department sponsors several student-directed groups. Auditions for all ensembles take place during registration at the beginning of each semester.

Our History

The teaching of music at the University of Virginia had its origins in the 1820s when the University's governing body, the Board of Visitors discussed the need for a building in the middle of Grounds for religious worship, for a library, and for schools of music and drawing. Lacking the funds for such an endeavor, the board simply approved music instruction on University Grounds and a series of music classes and lessons in the Rotunda began.

Musical study continued in this manner for nearly one hundred years until Paul McIntire expressed interest in funding a School of Fine Arts in 1919. Under the leadership of then- President Edwin A. Alderman, McIntire agreed to provide full funding for both a school of art, with a focus on art history, and a school of music history and appreciation, based on similar programs at Yale, Princeton, and Harvard.

The study of music at the University of Virginia has grown significantly during the past twenty five years. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of full time academic faculty, courses offered, and undergraduate and graduate students who choose music as their major course of study. This growth has been matched and enriched by an increase in the number and quality of performance ensembles, performance faculty, student performers, and concerts offered. Combined, these efforts create a pioneering program that balances study in academics and performance, and offers the best possible instruction in the history, composition, and performance of music within a liberal arts environment.

Benchmark Details

1820-1918

The Board of Visitors discusses the need for a building in the middle of Grounds for religious worship, for a library, and for schools of music and drawing. Music instruction on University Grounds begins with a series of music classes and lessons in the Rotunda.

1919-1940

Paul McIntire expresses interest in funding a School of Fine Arts and provides full funding for both a school of art, with a focus on art history, and a school of music history and appreciation, based on similar programs at Yale, Princeton, and Harvard.

1940-1950

Classes are held in theory and instrumental training, choral singing and orchestra at the south end of the West Range. Several concerts per year are offered. Classes move into Minor hall and the department grows to include courses on history, theory, and composition.

1951-1960

Classes move to Old Cabell Hall. A music education program that required training in performance is offered through the School of Education, taught by instructors brought in from Washington and Richmond. A University Orchestra joins the Glee Club, Concert Band, University Singers and String Orchestra.

1961-1970

The full time faculty number five and Mr. and Mrs. Darden establish a music library with funding for a 1/2 librarian and the purchase of several scores, records, and manuscripts.

1971-1980

Enrollment in some music classes grows from ten to over one hundred. The number of full- time faculty grows to twelve. The Glee Club, Women's Chorus, University Singers, Collegium Musicum and New Music Ensemble become curricular courses. A half time concert manager position is established and study in the history of jazz, ethnic, and electronic music begins. The Symphony Orchestra establishes a volunteer board and offers a subscription series. A professional piano trio is hired to perform and teach. Two of its members serve as principals in the orchestra.

1981-present

Orchestra principals form Albemarle Ensemble, and a faculty chamber series is established. The Virginia Center for Computer Music is established through grants from the Academic Computing Support Committee and the department receives a three-year Academic Enhancement Award. Academic credit for lessons, scholarships for music majors, and an active recruitment process through the Office of Admissions begins.

Department offerings include courses in theory, history, early music, jazz, computer music, and conducting, some of which attract more than 300 students a semester. The number of music majors grew from ten in 1981 to the current level of sixty. The department sponsors over eighty concerts and lectures a year. The Symphony Orchestra has ten professional principals and thirty five professional musicians. The department offers private music lessons for credit. Classes are available in jazz improvisation and opera performance.