Lawrence’s Conservatory of Music celebrates 150 years

The inside of the Lawrence University Memorial Chapel. Photo by Isaac Keith.
The inside of the Lawrence University Memorial Chapel. Photo by Isaac Keith.

This year marks the 150-year anniversary of the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music (LUCM) as well as the Lawrence Community Music School (LCMS). According to the Lawrence University website, LUCM and LCMS were founded in 1874 by Lawrence University President George McKendree Steele. He proposed these establishments to the Lawrence University Board of Trustees and, after they were approved, Lawrence University began its music program as well as its mission to offer music instruction to the greater Appleton community. This meant that students would be able to pursue a degree in music as well as the liberal arts.

Throughout their histories, LUCM and LCMS have evolved, according to the Lawrence University website. Originally, the Conservatory building was located near the corner of Lawrence and Morrison streets, which is now where the Appleton YMCA is situated. The original building was constructed in 1909 after George Peabody, a former faculty member of Lawrence, donated funds for the project.

In 1885, John Silvester took over as the dean of the music program at Lawrence University. Under his guidance, the university introduced a Bachelor of Music degree in 1887, along with expanded courses of music instruction. In 1894, the Conservatory of Music was re-established, broadening the music curriculum further. Meanwhile, in 1916, Lawrence purchased property on the north side of College Avenue, which would eventually become Lawrence Memorial Chapel. This chapel officially opened in 1919 with a capacity of 1,200 seats. In 1908, LUMC and LCMS introduced the Artist Series, inviting guest artists to campus for public performances. Notable musicians, such as Marilyn Horne, Joshua Bell and Yo-Yo Ma, have graced the campus through this series, a tradition that continues at Lawrence today. The jazz studios program was introduced in 1971, and over the next 53 years, the program won 30 national DownBeat jazz awards.

In 1959, the Music-Drama Center opened adjacent to Memorial Chapel, housing faculty offices, studios, Stansbury Theatre, Cloak Theatre and recording spaces. To further enhance the facilities, Shattuck Hall was expanded in 1991, connecting the Music-Drama Center with Memorial Chapel. This expansion allowed the Conservatory to grow from 120 to 350 students, according to the website. Additionally, in 1995, a 33-foot Brombaugh Organ was installed in Memorial Chapel, adding to the rich musical legacy of Lawrence University.

In 2023, Lawrence announced that a new four-story building is to be constructed in the 300 block of east College Avenue, housing present Conservatory faculty offices and teaching studios on the second floor, according to the Lawrence University website. It is expected to open in 2025.

According to Associate Dean of the Conservatory Andrew Mast, the Conservatory has evolved significantly over the course of the 21st century, with the embrace of creativity, collaboration and entrepreneurial mindsets. Mast believes that the Conservatory has done an excellent job educating students who want to pursue a traditional performance career and offering students a chance to create their own career paths, both individually and collaboratively. He also believes that the Conservatory has broken down the barriers between traditional and modern career goals within the music program.

Mast hopes that the Conservatory continues the trajectory it’s been on for the past 150 years, finding new ways to engage artists and musicians who continually challenge themselves and each other to achieve ever greater heights of success.

Mast also recognized the importance of outreach to the wider Appleton community.

He stated that Music for All comes to mind as one of the most obvious outreach initiatives. According to the Lawrence website, Music for All is an initiative that advocates for music for everyone regardless of identity or background. According to Mast, since Appleton has grown up around the Lawrence campus, the Conservatory has imbedded itself into the community over the last 150 years with its many performances.

Lawrence University is hosting several events over the course of the school year to celebrate this milestone. According to the Lawrence University website, Kaleidoscope, a musical concert by Lawrence University’s Conservatory of Music that showcases the talent of students in a variety of ensembles, will hold a performance on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center (PAC). It will consist of a 50-minute set that showcases the students involved in LUCM. On Friday, Nov. 1 at 8 p.m., the Lawrence Memorial Chapel will host the 150th Crescendo: Convergence. This is a concert featuring performances by the LU Trombone Ensemble and the LU Flute Ensemble. Additionally, on Saturday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m. Lawrence Memorial Chapel will host Celebrating the 150th, a performance by students featuring several works inspired by the history of the Conservatory.

The university is looking to hire a new dean of the Conservatory. The current dean of the Conservatory is Brian Pertl. According to Mast, while Pertl is the current dean, the school is currently embarking on a search for a new dean who will begin their work in the summer of 2025.

“All I hope is that they honor the traditions and history of the Conservatory while leading faculty and students to ever-growing heights of excellence and creativity,” Mast stated.