Department of Music

The Department of Music leads students to integrate creative and practical musical skills with critical thinking and intellectual inquiry, empowering them for a lifetime of learning. The curriculum provides an excellent foundation that prepares students to be adaptive leaders equipped to actively engage in their communities through the arts. The Department of Music welcomes students with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and interests in music and provides pathways for performers, listeners, scholars, and creators of all kinds. The curriculum trains students in music performance, composition, music industry, and research and cultivates the creative habits of mind that make our majors competitive in a wide range of careers.

Faculty Accomplishments

Fillerup promoted to professor

Jessie Fillerup was promoted to professor of music. Her research interests are driven by her curiosity about French musical cultures, illusory experiences, and the nature of musical temporality.

University of Richmond President Emeritus Ronald Crutcher honored for outstanding contributions to the liberal arts

President Emeritus and University Professor Ronald A. Crutcher, a national leader in higher education and a distinguished classical musician, has received the American Association of Colleges and Universities President’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Liberal Education.

Fairtile's critical edition of Giuseppe Verdi's Otello premieres

Linda Fairtile, the head music librarian, had her critical edition of Giuseppe Verdi's Otello premiere at the Teatro Regio in Parma, Italy.

Cable awarded at Colloquy

Jennifer Cable, professor of music, received the 2025 Distinguished Faculty Service Award from the University of Richmond at Colloquy.

Stories & Media Mentions

NFL Star Kobie Turner is University of Richmond’s 2026 Commencement Speaker; LA Rams Defensive Tackle is UR Alum

A UR alum, Turner double majored in mathematics and music and is a talented vocalist who appeared on The Masked Singer.

UR Now: STUDENT EXPERIENCE

The Octāves: A legacy of harmony, energy, and friendship

The University of Richmond’s student-led a cappella group embraces a culture of excellence.

Members of the Society for American Music conference at the Byrd Theatre in Richmond

UR Now: RESEARCH & INNOVATION

UR convenes scholars and advances ideas through national and international conferences

Across disciplines, faculty help foster collaboration, highlight emerging research, and connect global scholarship with the University community.

Rankings

University of Richmond Named Top Producer of Gilman Scholars

Richmond is among the top 25 institutions in the small colleges category supporting Gilman Scholars. Since the program started in 2001, 118 University of Richmond students have been offered Gilman Scholarships.