150 Years of the Lawrence Conservatory
Seen Through Snapshots
1874
Music was taught at Lawrence University from the beginning, but the title of Conservatory was first used by two-year music teacher, T. Martin Towne from 1874 to 1876. The title was not be properly reinstated until 1894, when the music school truly began (Breunig).
At this time classes were taught in piano, organ, voice, and composition. Two, five-year music tracks were introduced in organ and piano, with small ensembles and individual lessons available (History).
The music degree requirements for the first Bachelor's degree in Music, & the cost of Lawrence in the 1886-1887 Course Catalog
The Lawrence University Cornet Band. Lawrence University, "Lawrence Columbian Souvenir, 1893" (1893). Lawrence Yearbooks. 1.https://lux.lawrence.edu/yearbooks/1
1900
The first Bachelor of Music degree was given in 1891. Samuel G. Plantz was the President of Lawrence from 1894 to 1924, and his insistence on fine arts education provided funds and opportunities for the Conservatory to grow.
As the program developed, the music department was put on the third floor of the new science building, finished in 1899, but began to overflow and had to find a new home.
The first solution was a house bought in 1906 where the YMCA now sits, but that too became too small. Finally, after a donation from wealthy Appleton merchant, George F. Peabody, the first Conservatory building was completed in 1910. Peabody Hall would remain until the late 50's.
Under Plantz, ensembles continued to increase in size and two musical sororities were introduced: Mu Phi Epsilon in 1912 and Sigma Alpha Iota in 1917 (Breunig).
Lawrence University Mandolin Club, 1901
Lawrence University, "The Ariel, Class of '01" (1900). Lawrence Yearbooks. 11. https://lux.lawrence.edu/yearbooks/11
The Temporary Music House,
Music Hall. circa 1909. Lawrence University Archives, JSTOR, https://jstor.org/stable/community.24553978.
Peabody Music Hall,
Conservatory of Music. circa 1930. Lawrence University Archives, JSTOR, https://jstor.org/stable/community.24545141.
1925
The Con continued to expand, with ensembles like the Glee Club, a popular men's choir that began touring annually.
In the next few years, The Great Depression would put pressure on whether there was a "need" for fine arts education and spending. The Dean of the Conservatory, Carl Waterman, and the President of Lawrence instated in 1925, Henry Wriston, would work together to keep the conservatory afloat (Bruenig).
In 1925 the men's Glee Club toured around Wisconsin and surrounding areas as the choirs would continue to do for many years. A band was formed the year before to play during sports games, and a mixed choir called Schola Cantorum was the other ensemble at this time. (Ariel, 1925).
Lawrence College Band. circa 1920. Lawrence University Archives, JSTOR, https://jstor.org/stable/community.24552736.
Peabody Hall Concert Program Hall. circa 1910-1959. Lawrence University Archives, JSTOR, https://jstor.org/stable/community.24553982.
Lawrence College Band,
Lawrence College, "The Ariel, 1925" (1925). Lawrence Yearbooks. 7.https://lux.lawrence.edu/yearbooks/
Glee Club.
Lawrence College, "The Ariel, 1925" (1925). Lawrence Yearbooks. 7.
https://lux.lawrence.edu/yearbooks/7
1950
In the 1950's the music department had expanded larger than Peabody Hall could hold. Thus, the Music-Drama building began fundraising in 1956 and finished construction in 1960.
In 1955 President Knight proposed a school FM radio station, and a year later WLFM gave its first broadcast. In 1960, WLFM moved to the Music-Drama building (Bruenig).
In 1950, The Lawrence College Choir, still directed by Carl Waterman despite his retiring the year before, was still touring the midwest annually. The Lawrence College Band also toured to cities in the area. The Lawrence Symphony Orchestra directed by Kenneth Byler for the second year, performed the Brahms variations on a theme by Hayden among other works. (Yearbooks, Ariel 1950).
Music Drama Center Lounge. circa 1960. Lawrence University Archives, JSTOR, https://jstor.org/stable/community.24554084.
Student String Ensemble. circa 1955. Lawrence University Archives, JSTOR, https://jstor.org/stable/community.24545210.
Trio Performing in the Chapel before 1965 Remodeling. circa 1960. Lawrence University Archives, JSTOR, https://jstor.org/stable/community.24545212
1975
1975 saw the beginnings of the Jazz program at Lawrence University. Jazz at Lawrence had started as a casual activity in the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia frat, led by Trombone student, Fred Sturm.
With enough students interested, it then became a self-designed course for credit. 1957 Lawrence Grad, John Harmon, took over teaching Jazz in the early 70's, introducing many new classes and ensembles. The program was then led by Scott Prebys from 1974 until 1977, when Fred Sturm returned to Lawrence to lead the Jazz program for another 26 years. (History, Lawrence University News) (History, Jazz).
Concert Choir. 1976. Lawrence University Archives, JSTOR, https://jstor.org/stable/community.24547197
Loading Instrument Cases onto a Bus for Jazz Tour. 1985. Lawrence University Archives, JSTOR, https://jstor.org/stable/community.24545216.
Ken Schaphorst and the Jazz Ensemble. 1992. Lawrence University Archives, JSTOR, https://jstor.org/stable/community.24545165.
2000
Previously students were both rehearsing and performing on the Music-Drama stages and in the Chapel. A new music building, Ruth Harwood Shattuck Hall, built in 1990, offered new rehearsal spaces. The building was designed to connect the two existing music buildings. For the first time, Jazz and percussion spaces were included in the conservatory and new recording studios and music library space was added. The organ in the Chapel was also added in 1994, donated by the parent of an alum. (History, Shattuck Pamphlet).
Ensembles in the year 2000 included Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Chorale, Concert Choir, Jazz Band, The Jazz Singers, Lawrence University Gentlemen Singers (LUGS), and Collegium Musicum (Yearbooks, Ariel 2000).
2000 Lawrence Yearbook (Yearbooks)
2024
In 2024 many of the ensembles and traditions of the past remain and their echos can be seen in the programs of today: 150 years of students and faculty with a love for and commitment to music.
Dill, Sam. Lawrence Memorial Chapel. May 23, 2024.
Dill, Sam. Shattuck Hall. May 23. 2024.
