Department of Music (Rec. Gr. 37)

Historical note

The University of Rhode Island, Department of Music was founded in 1933, at a time when the school was still called Rhode Island State College. Lee C. McCauley came to RISC as the first Director of the new Department in 1933. Under his leadership, the number of music courses was increased (until that time only four music courses had been offered at the College), and music became an accredited Minor program. He organized the first music festival at the College in 1934, and proposed a four-year Public School Music Education program in 1942.

The Department instituted the Summer Music Camp program in 1945, with McCauley acting as its first Director. The program, and the All-State Music Camp that eventually replaced it, offered music instruction and recreational activities for high school students from Rhode Island and other states.

The Bachelor of Science in Music Education program was instituted in 1953 under McCauley’s successor as Chairman of the Department, Arnold V. Clair. Clair also organized the Music Series and Chamber Music Workshop. The Department, which had been located in Edwards Hall since its inception, moved to the Fine Arts Center upon its completion in 1966. Under the Chairmanship of Albert Giebler, the Department developed a second undergraduate program, the Bachelor of Arts in Music, in 1969, and a Master of Music program in 1978.

The Department continues to offer undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as hosting several concert series (the Kingston Chamber Music Festival, University Artist Series, and Great Performances), and recitals by faculty, students, and guest performers.