Don Wright Faculty of Music
The Don Wright Faculty of Music is the music school of The University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada. 550 undergraduate students and 125 graduate students are mentored by over 100 internationally renowned faculty members. The Faculty is one of Canada's leading music schools and produces over 300 concert and opera performances annually. Dean is Robert Wood, Associate Dean is Victoria Meredith.[1]
History
The Western University of London was founded in 1878, becoming the University of Western Ontario in 1923. The history of the Faculty of Music begins in 1903 with the founding of the Conservatory of London, which was incorporated in 1934 as the Western Ontario Conservatory of Music. In 1938 the Conservatory's Principal was appointed Director of Music for the University and the offices were moved to the McIntosh Gallery in 1942. A Music Teacher's College was established in 1945, changing its name to College of Music in 1961 and becoming part of the Faculty of Arts and Science. On July 1, 1968, the College became the Faculty of Music with Clifford von Kuster as the first Dean. Following rapid expansion, a new Music Building was officially opened in 1972. Hugh McLean was Dean of the Faculty of Music from 1973 to 1980, followed by Jack Behrens from 1980 to 1986 and Jeffrey Stokes from 1986 to 2000. Robert Wood was appointed Dean in 2001. In 2002, the Faculty was renamed the Don Wright Faculty of Music after a generous donation by Canadian composer, musician and educator Donald J. Wright. Renovations to Talbot Theatre were completed in August 2009 and the hall was renamed in honour of retiring University President Paul Davenport. Future plans include a new 1200-seat concert hall, renovations to von Kuster Hall and expanded teaching space in Talbot College.[2]
Departments
The Don Wright Faculty of Music comprises three departments. The Department of Music Performance Studies offers instruction in all areas of keyboard, orchestral and band instruments, and voice at both the undergraduate and graduate levels; the Department of Music Education offers a strong emphasis on the balance between music performance and academic training at the undergraduate level, and a flexible, research-based program at the graduate level; the Department of Music Research and Composition, embracing four areas of study in musicology, music theory, popular music studies, and composition.
Degrees Offered
Degrees offered at the Don Wright Faculty of Music include the Bachelor of Music with Honors in music education, history, performance, theory and composition, the Bachelor of Musical Arts, and the Bachelor of Arts honours in music, music administrative studies and popular music studies. Graduate degrees include the Master of Music in composition, theory, music education, literature and performance, the Master of Arts in musicology, theory, and popular music and culture, and the PhD in musicology, theory, composition, and education. The Faculty also offers an artist diploma in performance and a one-year certificate in piano technology.
Ensembles
The Faculty of Music Ensembles are recognized as among the best in Canada. Choral and instrumental groups have performed by invitation at major events. Placement in all ensembles is by audition and permission of the Dean. Typically ensembles rehearse four hours per week and present between three and 10 concerts per year.
The main ensembles and their directors are:
- UWOpera - Theodore Baerg, John Hess, Mark Payne and Sophie Roland
- UWO Symphony Orchestra - Geoffrey Moull
- UWO Singers - Victoria Meredith and Gerald Neufeld
- Wind Ensemble - Colleen Richardson
- UWO Chamber Orchestra - Geoffrey Moull
- Early Music Studio - Sandra Mangsen and Joseph Lanza
Venues
Alumni Hall
Since it was built in the 1960s, the Alumni Hall stage has hosted the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Canadian Opera Company and a variety of Pop artists running the gamut from Tom Jones to Bob Dylan to Celine Dion. It is also the home of The UWO Symphony Orchestra, which performs every season in the 2,300-seat hall.
Paul Davenport Theatre
The Paul Davenport Theatre (formerly Talbot Theatre) hosts over 200 performances per year, attended by more than 32,000 people. From UWO Chamber Orchestra and Wind Ensemble concerts, to the summer home of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, to performances given by dance troops galore, it is a cornerstone to the faculty, city, and country. Completed in August 2009, the Paul Davenport Theatre received a $5.0 million facelift. $2.5 was committed by the university with the remaining $2.5 million coming through fundraising.
Von Kuster Hall
The 248 seat von Kuster Recital Hall is home to more than 270 performances each year between September and May. The hall is primarily used as a venue for the performance of chamber music and small ensembles.