The Home for Music at Penn
The Department of Music in the School of Arts and Sciences engages more than 1000 students every year in what it means to “think musically,” to understand the history and social context of music, and to probe questions of musical meaning. Its core mission – the study of music as a humanistic discipline – offers a unique way of knowing and understanding ourselves and the world. The department is home to renowned faculty, an outstanding program of undergraduate study and a graduate program that is consistently ranked among the top ten in the nation. In addition, it lies at the center of a culture of music on campus, offering musical instruction and performance opportunities for students across the University.
Thanks to Jeffrey Kallberg, Professor of Music History and Chair of the Department of Music, the world was presented with a new work by the great composer Chopin for the first time in 150 years. Many Chopin scholars knew of this unpublished piece, which the composer hastily sketched in 1839 – a time when he was in fragile health. But Chopin's shorthand proved to be undecipherable, until Kallberg, who studied it repeatedly for more than 20 years, was able to reconstruct it in 2001. The unusual final piece, one of Chopin's most experimental, adds a unique and novel context to the composer's life and work.
Despite its central role at Penn, and the distinction of its renowned faculty, the department is housed in a 19th-century building that cannot adequately support a 21st-century teaching and research program. To restore this historic landmark to its original splendor and provide a fitting home to the School’s top-ranked music department, the School of Arts and Sciences is initiating a project to renovate and expand the Music Building. This $15.3 million project, by Ann Beha Architects, will support learning by providing well-equipped classrooms, rehearsal spaces and practice rooms. It will house the research activities of some of today’s leading music scholars. And it will expand opportunities to engage the entire Penn community in the performance and enjoyment of music. The benefits to be realized through the Music Building renovation will not be limited by the footprint of the building. In addition to addressing critical teaching and performance goals, this project will complete the revitalization of key facilities on 34th Street of importance to the humanities, including the newly renovated Fisher-Bennett Hall. Finally, it will serve an important role in the University’s eastward expansion plans by enhancing the connection between College Green and buildings to the east of 34th Street. Learn more about: |
Spotlight on Music
Gallery of Music Building Renderings Expanding Horizons: Music Performance in the School of Arts & Sciences (video) The Doctor is Down Music's Anna Weesner and Andrew McPherson Win American Academy of Arts and Letters Awards Make History
To make a gift to the Music Building renovation, please contact Michael Baker at bakerm@sas.upenn.edu or 215-898-5262. |
