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College of Music an integral part of MSU culture

Jim Forger is dean of Michigan State University’s College of Music. He joins Spartans athletic director Bill Beekman and MSU’s associate athletic director for communications Matt Larson for a conversation on MSU Today. He first tells Beekman and Larson about The Billman Music Pavilion.

“Facilities don't build programs, people do,” says Forger. “We have been blessed with a first-rate faculty, which has brought in a terrific student body. But at a certain point one needs to address facilities issues in light of fiscal constraints.

Credit Russ White | MSU Today
Forger, Beekman, Larson

“Most recently, we have been blessed with the ability to move forward with the Billman Music Pavilion, which is a 37,000 square foot addition to the almost 80-year-old Music Building. It will address a number of issues. Virtually all of the space is in service of student learning, and we will have 45 new practice rooms.

“This wouldn't happen without the commitment and devotion to the university of our donors, who have really stepped forward. Jim Billman really pulled the trigger on this building because he provided the lead gift, which then permitted us to go to others. All of our major donors are eclectic donors to the university. They support music, but they support many other colleges and so they are really part of the backbone of this institution.”

Forger talks about his life’s pursuit as a saxophonist and how continuing to play gives him perspective on what his faculty and students go through in preparing for performances. He talks about the college’s strengths, like the jazz studies program, and outreach activities. 

“We have two community music schools, one in East Lansing and one in Detroit, providing an array of services from early childhood music through music therapy services to adult beginner bands. In Detroit, we serve 800 on a weekly basis and we serve a population that does not have the circumstances that those in the East Lansing area are fortunate to have. We raise about $500,000 a year to provide access to a wonderful group of talented and deserving youth in the city of Detroit.”

He talks about the 150th anniversary of the Spartan Marching Band, too. Forger adds that the college has a big commitment to non-music major education, too, and interacts with more than 2,000 students on an annual basis in ensembles, in classes, and in lessons. He says outreach and engagement with the community are cornerstones of the college’s mission.

“I like to say the musical arts and athletics are two wonderful windows to this university. We have a diverse group of students studying performance, jazz studies, classical, music theory, ethnomusicology, composition - a wide array - and music education. We have one of the strongest music education programs in the country with 100 percent employment of our PhDs.”

MSU Today airs Sunday mornings at 9:00 on 105.1 FM and AM 870.

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