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Welcome from Dr. Edward Harris
Director, SJSU School of Music and Dance
Searching for the right college or university can be a daunting experience. Students whose interests and abilities lend themselves to artistic endeavors have a unique opportunity to find a school that will encourage and inspire them creatively. more...
Upcoming Events: Fall Concert Dates
Thursday, Oct 01 07:30PM
Faculty Artist Series, A. Lington & D. Wolford
Concert Hall
Wednesday, Oct 07 07:30PM
Latin Jazz Ensemble
Concert Hall
Friday, Oct 09 07:30PM
Symphony Orchestra
Concert Hall
Tuesday, Oct 13 07:30PM
Jazz Orchestra
Concert Hall
Wednesday, Oct 14 07:30PM
Sumares Jazz Combo
Concert Hall
Thursday, Oct 15 07:30PM
Symphonic Band
Concert Hall
Friday, Oct 16 07:30PM
Wind Ensemble
Concert Hall
Thursday, Oct 22 07:30PM
Shifflett Jazz Combo
Concert Hall
Friday, Oct 23 07:30PM
Choral Concert
Campbell United Methodist
Monday, Oct 26 07:30PM
Faculty Artist Series, Kathryn Adduci
Concert Hall
Friday, Oct 30 07:30PM
Faculty Artist Series, Layna Chianakas
Concert Hall
About the School
List of Important Facts
1. The San José Normal School had its first musical session in 1871. Mr. Parker was the first sole teacher of the school until 1872 when Charles H. Allen also began teaching there.
2. Z.M. Parvin was the first full time music teacher at the San José Normal School. The first female music teacher at the normal school was Madame M.A. Hamm. She worked from the fall of 1878 to August 20, 1879.
3. In 1884, the music program evolved into a four-year course of study.
4. Ida M. Fisher joined the staff in 1907 and later became the Director of Music and Superintendent of Music in the Training School in 1919.
5. In 1915 the music program was departmentalized, staff members increased to five, and seventeen courses were offered.
6. In 1917 the Music Department was able to offer two types of special diplomas: Elementary and Secondary. Miss Ruth Esther Cornell received the first Secondary Diploma in June of that year.
7. In 1922 violin and "other orchestral instruments" were added to the instrumental instruction.
8. In 1926 the marching band is formed with Mr. Towner as the director.
9. In 1947-48 the Music Department began offering Graduate course work.
10. In 1948 four A.B. Degrees in Professional Music were added. The degrees consisted of: Theory and Composition, History and Musicology, Performance and Conducting.
11. In 1949-50 the music department created a training band for the Symphonic Band called the Varsity Band.
12. In 1951 there were 10 different musical ensembles at San José State: Varsity Band, Marching Band, Choral Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Symphony Orchestra, A Cappella Choir, Piano Ensemble, Brass Choir, String Ensemble, and Woodwind Ensemble.
