The Frank Chace Administration (1920-1926)

The following two decades of the twentieth century were an unsettled period for music under a series of short-lived administrations.  The year 1920, however, set music on an independent course that remained steadfast.  Its various activities were consolidated as a College with only a nominal connection to its previous parent, Arts and Sciences.  The administration of Frank Chace (1920-1926) was brief but significant.  Chace had been an organist in the East who later taught at colleges in Michigan and Oregon.   During his time, a degree program leading to the Bachelor of Music was established.   Macky Auditorium was completed and $50,000 was raised from various sources to install its remarkable organ with its pipes concealed in the ornate ceiling.  Rehearsal and classroom space was also made available in the wings of the large building.  As had been the previous pattern of instruction, Chace was the single professor, assisted by a few adjunct teachers who supplemented their pay for class instruction with fees for private lessons.   Chase taught most of the theory classes, the music literature class (now known as music appreciation), gave private instruction on organ, and performed recitals regularly.  He also led the choral union of students and townsfolk.  He and his wife, who served as his administrative assistant, frequently entertained both students and others.  He appears to have been both a strong and popular leader.  During his time student enrollment varied from twenty-five to thirty-five majors.   In his last year (1925-26), the College received a refurbished “Old Medical Building,” located on the site of the present-day University Memorial Center. Music finally had a primary home to serve many, but not all, of it’s varied activities for the next thirty years. 

1882-1920 << 1920-1926 >> 1927-1951