WHY SUPPORT THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC, THEATRE & DANCE

“I believe our educational mission is about more than helping students realize their potential as practitioners.  We need to find ways to encourage them to engage with the culture, as activists, allies, ambassadors for the arts.  It’s an imperative that goes beyond our own passion for the arts, beyond our own opportunity for self-expression, even beyond our own concern about the art forms themselves. 

It’s an imperative for the human condition.”

The School is increasingly indebted to its many friends and supporters to help it maintain its consistent status in the top echelons of performing arts schools nationwide.  The future of the arts lies in the next generation of talented young people who have dedicated themselves to their art form through years of disciplined study and who have chosen to follow their muse with a degree in music, theatre, or dance.

You can play an important role in supporting the artistic and educational mission of the School of Music, Theatre & Dance.

There are many areas of need and just as many ways to give.

Where Can I Help the Most?

Scholarships

In order to attract and recruit the best students to Michigan, we need to hire and retain the best faculty.  Conversely, in order to retain the best faculty, we need to attract the most talented students.  This means we need to be able to offer the most comprehensive scholarship support we can to the most talented applicant pool, many of whom are often courted by other schools that can offer better support packages. [more]

“What I loved most about the Musical Theatre Program was the

positive and nurturing atmosphere. The School provides

exceptional training in voice, drama, and dance.”  Kristen Behrendt, MT alumna

Musical Theatre Students at a recent workshop with songwriter and librettist

Program Support

Now in its second century, the School of Music, Theatre & Dance endeavors to ensure that its tradition of supporting innovations and programs continues long into the future.  Program support allows the School to fund the core departmental needs of faculty while also providing seed money for new discoveries and priorities.   [more]

Just one example:

William Bolcom's masterpiece, Songs of Innocence and of Experience, requires some 450 performers—choirs, soloists, a symphony orchestra, and more—which is one of the reasons it has been performed so infrequently.  Because the School was able both to take advantage of the wealth of student talent in our midst and to draw on program funds and private support, the work was staged in April 2004 at the acoustically famous Hill Auditorium.  That performance was recorded by Naxos Records and went on to receive 4 Grammy Awards in 2006.  Without program support, this would not have been possible.

William Bolcom after April 2004 performance of Songs of Innocence and of Experience

Capital

The School of of Music, Theatre & Dance is already on its way to a long-held dream:  to have all of the departments of the School clustered together on North Campus.  This close proximity will foster an environment of collaboration and interdisciplinary creativity that generates energy, growth, and discovery.  With the construction of the Walgreen Drama Center and the Arthur Miller Theatre now underway, the School has taken a first giant step in that direction.  The Departments of Theatre & Drama and Musical Theatre, previously scattered throughout offices on Central and North Campus, are scheduled to move in to the new facility in the summer of 2006. [more]

Pianos

Pianos are the lifeblood of any school of the performing arts, and the School of Music, Theatre & Dance is no exception.  Pianos are used daily for practice and performance as well as study and research.  Gifts to support piano repair and acquisition are matched with in-kind credit from Hammell Music, the School’s Steinway dealer—making your gift go twice as far!  [more]

“We’re quite aware of the daily impact of pianos—

on students, teaching, rehearsals, and recruitment—

and the integral role they play in the life of the School. 

Our support this year . . . was an easy decision.” 

Maurice Binkow, trustee of the Charles H. Gershenson Trust

For information on how you can help support the School, please call, write or email us at:

University of Michigan

School of Music, Theatre & Dance

Office of Development

2005 Baits Drive

Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2075

734-647-2035

leading.the.way@umich.edu