Guide to the Shepherd School of Music Records, 1950-2001

Organizational Sketch

The Shepherd School of Music was formally opened at Rice University in 1975. It was funded by an endowment of approximately $8 million from Sallie Shepherd Perkins in honor of her grandfather, Benjamin A. Shepherd. She wanted to establish a music school of the highest excellence.

The first Dean of the School was Samuel Jones, a distinguished American conductor and composer. School began in the fall with a gifted freshman class of 23 students, a faculty of 16 both full and part-time, and an innovative curriculum developed by Dean Jones and the Rice Faculty. It stressed coordination between theoretical and practical musicianship. One major emphasis was and is orchestral studies. The school offers both undergraduate and graduate programs of study. The school is a 5-year institution, with bachelor's and master's degrees awarded simultaneously on graduation.

On October 4, 1991, the dedication of the new building music building, Alice Pratt Brown Hall was held. The building was designed by Spanish Architect, Ricardo Bofill under the direction of Dean Michael Hammond who came to Rice University in 1985. One of the outstanding features of the new building is the Edythe Bates Old Recital Hall and Grand Organ that was made possible by a gift from Edythe Bates Old. The organ was designed by Rosales Organ Builders of Los Angeles and was dedicated on April 4, 1997.

Scope and Contents

The collection is composed of 9 boxes containing much of the history of the Shepherd School of Music including the Deed of Gift from the Shepherd Foundation and the draft of the activation of the Shepherd School. There is information on the Shepherd family and foundation, as well as departmental correspondence, news clippings, music reviews, brochures, concert calendars, announcements, and invitations, including those for the dedication of the school and the new Alice Pratt Brown Hall. There is one compact disc that has performances of Shepherd School musicians. There is one construction-type hardhat labeled Shepherd School of Music. The bulk of the collection is made up of programs from 1956 to 2001.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions

This material is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish these records must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Rice University Shepherd School of Music Records, 1950-2001, Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.

Acquisition Information

Transferred from the Rice University Business Office and Shepherd School of Music, 1977, 1988, and 1991.

Detailed Description of the Collection