The history of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduate choral music program, 1958–2023

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC/Illinois) had an important impact on choral music through the creation of the first Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Choral Music in the United States beginning in 1958. Since that time many leading choral conductors have earned advanced degrees at UIUC, such as longtime Florida State University professor and composer André Thomas; St. Olaf Choir conductors Kenneth Jennings and Anton Armstrong; and longtime conductor of the Westminster Choir Joseph Flummerfelt. These individuals constitute and uphold the legacy of the program, yet no comprehensive history of the department exists. This study explores 1) the history of choral music at UIUC that led to the founding of the graduate choral program, 2) important leaders and their mission for the program, and 3) the Illinois legacy through highlighting a sample of the many alumni who are now significant in the field of choral music. In learning about this history, choral leaders will gain insight into the principles that yielded the international acclaim of the program. The study concludes that the legacy of the Illinois program centers around scholarship, effective leadership, and establishing a vast community of alumni. Through these areas, the reputation of the UIUC graduate choral program grew. Illinois’s unique position in creating the first DMA Choral Music, and then developing a legacy of excellence, led to its distinctive standing among graduate choral degrees. This dissertation provides a scholarly record that can serve as more specific research for the future as well to those interested in the history of the UIUC School of Music. As the Illinois graduate choral program was so impactful, this writing attempts to capture the legacy of the area in ways that will be inspiring to others who seek to develop their own choral communities.

Name thesis:degree_name

A.Mus.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Music

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2023

Author dc:creator

• Bruhn, Andrew

Contributors dc:contributor

• Solya, Andrea
• Revell Barrett, Janet
• Eagen-Jones, Megan
• Megill, Andrew

• Choral Music
• University Of Illinois
• University Of Illinois Urbana-champaign

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2023 Andrew Bruhn

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/120120

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F120120