Fowler Hall is alive with the sound of music

Eastern University’s Fine and Performing Arts Division is expanding. The music department especially has seen significant growth within the past year with an updated music building, a recital hall in the making, and the addition of many ensembles.

Strategic growth and recruitment efforts

Growth in the music department comes as a result of Eastern’s strategic plan to increase enrollment. 

“The entire Fine and Performing Arts Division is expanding, but the music department is the foundation of it all,” Dr. Steven Ford, chair of the Department of Music and dean of the Fine and Performing Arts Division, said.

Under Ford’s guidance, the department has experienced a surge in enrolment, leading to the expansion of ensembles, such as the introduction of the marching band, and overall student engagement. 

“When I came in as a freshman, there were only two of us freshmen in the music department,” Leah Britcher, a music major said. “Now, we have so many more students, making our ensembles even stronger.”

Dr. Tim Brown, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, supports the expansion of the music department. “From working with faculty and seeing their interests and where the curriculum is going, I think a goal for us is for each program to have a signature experience, preferably in alignment with a pre-professional track so that way [students] can put it on their resume and help with career development.” 

Brown is focused on enhancing the pre-professional music experience through recruitment and program development. Collaborating with local high schools and music programs, faculty members like Perry Brisbon, recruitment manager and adjunct professor, are actively promoting the department and attracting new student talent. 

Infrastructure enhancements

The music department secured significant funding, including a $100,000 grant from the Presser Foundation, which will support the renovations of Fowler Hall as the updated music building and the construction of the new recital hall in the new Templeton building. These updates are following a nationwide trend. According to Forbes, campus construction spending has increased by 26 percent in 2024.

“We have not had this much traffic,” Ford said, referring to the increased interest and activity within Fowler Hall and the department. 

The new recital hall, expected to be completed by August 2025, will provide a dedicated venue for performances and practices, alleviating current space constraints. Britcher emphasizes the importance of this facility, especially for senior recitals, as it often proves challenging to secure time in the McInnis auditorium. 

The student experience 

Both Brown and Ford believe these renovations will contribute to the well-being and success of their students. Both men expressed the importance of providing students with pre-professional experiences through the introduction of a recording studio, spaces to perform for an audience, state of the art equipment and music production facilities. These opportunities will prepare students well for successful careers. 

Highlighting the strengths of the music department, Britcher expresses her admiration for the faculty, stating, “The professors here are really talented and could literally teach anywhere… I feel honored to have them.” 

Admiration for professors is a common sentiment shared amongst music students. “The music professors at Eastern are super engaging and fun to learn from,” Josiah Cash, music composition major said. “After class I get a migraine with how much my brain expands with different ideas,” Cash playfully remarked.

“They offer so much encouragement to us. They really care about our interests and encourage us to play our favorite instruments and discover our own style,” Cash said.  

Britcher feels the close-knit community of the music department fosters an encouraging atmosphere, where students build personal connections and support each other’s growth. “We all hear each other perform so much, and it’s exciting to see everyone’s growth.”

“The community in the music department is very open, accepting and supportive,” Cash said.

Looking ahead

The music department’s future is not without its challenges. Prioritizing initiatives while managing time effectively is crucial, according to Brown. “There’s a need for dreaming, brainstorming, and collaboration with staff,” he said. Ford states that it would be detrimental to be unprepared, especially with the current influx of students.