Department of Music records

The Northeastern University Department of Music began as part of the Department of Drama, Speech and Music in 1958 and became an independent department in 1966-1967. The music curriculum was originally a non-major program for professional musicians who desired theoretical training. In 1982, a BA in Music Literature became available. By 1989, the Department began collaborating with the New England Conservatory to offer a Music Industry major, and by 1992, music history courses were included in the Department's curriculum.The Music at Noon concert series was founded in 1962 by Roland Nadeau and Reginald Hache, and was formally adopted by the University in 1967-1968. The concert series provided a showcase for both student and professional talent. In 1986, Professor Leonard Brown initiated the John Coltrane Memorial Concert which became an annual event. During the 1980s, Northeastern University participated in the Share a Composer program which invites major American composers to Boston for a week of concerts, lectures and events featuring their original music. Participants have included Henry Brant, Vivian Fine, Ulysses Kay and Karel Husa. In 2011, the Department of music offers five majors: a BS in Music Technology, a BA in Music History and Analysis, a BA in Music Industry, and the combined BS in Interactive Media and Music and BS in Computer Science and Music. Five minors are also offered: Ethnomusicology, Musical Theater, Music Industry, Musical Performance and General Music.