Lawrence University Conservatory of Music

In 1849, the first year classes were held,[b] Miss Emeline M. Crooker, the preceptress, gave lessons on her own piano.

When Main Hall, which housed almost all school functions, was completed, Mrs. Francena Medora Kellogg Buck, class of 1857, remembered:[7]The first public exercise held in the then "new building" [...] was at the close of the June term in 1854.

Recalling the post-Civil War era, J. S. Anderson, class of 1870, wrote:[8]The musical department of the college was decidedly primitive.

In 1865 it consisted of a single piano of ancient vintage in the ladies building, on which the professor or "professorin" gave lessons of a very primary character to pupils who practiced where and when they could.

[4] At the instigation of President George McKendree Steele, a collegiate-level music program was instituted in 1874 and a director named, marking the founding of the conservatory as it exists today.

[10] The music program made do with one or two instructors until 1894, when President Samuel G. Plantz re-established the conservatory as an independent department, re-instated the position of director and increased the faculty to five; one of the new hires was responsible for teaching banjo and mandolin.

[4] In the early years of the twentieth century, musical groups on campus included the Choral Union, Chapel Choir, Boys' Glee Club and Girls' Glee Club, the College Band and the College Orchestra, and the Men's and Women's Quartettes.

In 1947 the Post-Crescent reported:[16] Shortly before 1930 the funds for a new conservatory of music were made available by a private foundation, but were lost during the stock market crash.

It had its own budget, hired its faculty, recruited and registered its students and housed them in conservatory dormitories.

[17] LaVahn Maesch, professor of organ and music literature, was appointed head of the Committee on Academic Policy, overseeing the only remaining administrative responsibility—setting the conservatory curriculum.

A new Music-Drama Center opened in 1959, providing classrooms, practice rooms, a library and two performance spaces, the 445-seat Stansbury Theater and Harper Hall, seating 249.

[29] The conservatory offers opportunities to participate in a variety of ensembles, which are open to all students, whether they are majoring in music or not.

In 1908, a performing arts series, which brings national and international artists to campus, was organized by Dean William Harper.

[30] The series went on to book, among many others, Pablo Casals,[31] Marian Anderson,[32] the Trapp Family Singers,[33] Joshua Bell,[34] and Yo-Yo Ma.

[35] In recent years, performers have included the Imani Winds, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and Roomful of Teeth.