In
1741, a small group of members of the religious
sect known as the Unitas Fratrum, also called
Moravians, settled along the banks of the Monocacy
Creek. According to local legend, their settlement went unnamed
until Christmas Eve of that year, when, inspired by the words
of one of their hymns ("Not Jerusalem, lowly Bethlehem..."),
the solution came to them. The following year, the Moravians founded
a school for girls, and thus Moravian College
was born.
From the earliest times, music has played a role
in the Moravian community in Bethlehem. Those familiar with the
Moravian religious practices and culture know that music is of
the utmost importance. No Moravian service is without music. Music
was -- and is -- for the Moravians not merely an enhancement of
prayer and worship, but is an essential part of both, and is a
natural means of building community outside the church walls.
So, too, the study and performance of music has been a part of
Moravian College since its founding.
The Music Department is housed on the Church
Street Campus of Moravian College, in the heart of the
historic district of Bethlehem. Faculty offices and studios, departmental
offices, and classrooms are found in the Single Brethren's
House, a stone-front building constructed by the Moravian
Community in 1748. Originally the residence of
the single men of the Moravian Community and later a center of
trades, the building served as a hospital during the Revolutionary
War, and George Washington himself came to visit
in 1783. (Perhaps some of the ghosts which reportedly still roam
the building at night spent their last moments of their mortal
lives in the Brethren's House during its service as a hospital.)
Attached to the Single Brethren's House is West
Hall, an 1859 addition. This building is home
to numerous practice rooms, several lounges, an organ studio,
and the music library. The Brethren's House and West Hall were
renovated and restored in 1976-1977. In addition, the music facilities
on the Church Street Campus include William Randolph Hearst Hall
(built in 1848 as an 80-seat chapel for the Moravians),
Peter Hall (the 1867 chapel, seating 150), and
the newest facility, Foy Concert Hall, a 425-seat concert and
rehearsal hall which opened in 1982.
While music had existed at the College from the
start as part of the worship services for Moravians, music instruction
formally began in 1744 with the formation of the Collegium
Musicum. Music was added as a major in 1956, with the
arrival of Richard Schantz, who for more than
thirty years taught music at the College. Under the leadership
of Richard Schantz and his wife, Monica Schantz
(who joined the faculty three years later), the department grew
in size, scope of offerings, and reputation. In 1982,
the College added the Bachelor of Music to its
degree programs. Students pursuing studies in Music Education,
Composition, and Performance enroll in programs offered under
the B.Mus. The College still offers the liberal arts degree (Bachelor
of Arts) for students interested in musical studies but wanting
a more general education. (Visit the Music Degree & Admissions
Page.)
The faculty has grown as well over the years, and
now includes five full-time faculty, six full-time administrative
and support staff, and more than forty adjunct instructors of
music. Music majors now number over eighty, and minors include
more than twenty additional students. The Department currently
offers more than forty different courses each year, lessons in
more than twenty performing areas (from bagpipe to violin), three
vocal ensembles, and more than ten different instrumental ensembles.
(Visit the Choral and Instrumental pages!)
In 1993, the Music Department applied for membership
to the National Association of Schools of Music.
Their application was accepted, and they became members in good
standing the following year. All degree programs currently offered
(B.A. in music, B.Mus. in Music Education, B.Mus. in Composition,
and B.Mus. in Performance) are accredited by the NASM.
Choral and instrumental ensembles from Moravian
College have travelled throughout the United States and beyond,
including: Antigua, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Czechoslovakia,
England, Germany, Israel, Jamaica, Russia, St. Kitts, Switzerland,
and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Among Moravian's former students in music are:
- Francis F. Hagen: Moravian minister and composer,
who composed
"Morning Star"
- Emma Cecilia Thursby: world-renowned soprano
- Willard Martin: harpsichord builder
- Martha Weaver: San Diego Opera Company soprano
- Jeffrey Kneebone: New York City Opera baritone
- Vanessa Schukis: National Company of "Nunsense," Boston
Lyric Opera, and Utah Festival Opera Company
Recent graduates of the Music Department have gone
on to graduate studies at some of the country's finest academic
and professional music programs, including:
- Academy of Vocal Arts
- The Boston Conservatory
- Cornell University
- Curtis Institute of Music
- Eastman School of Music
- Indiana University
- Ithaca College
- Mannes College of Music
- New England Conservatory of Music
- New York University
- Northwestern University
- Stanford University
- Temple University
- University of Denver
- University of Michigan
- University of Northern Colorado
