GIVING
The Campaign for Michigan State University
UNCOMMON WILL.
FAR BETTER WORLD.
MSU’s College of Music stands at a unique intersection of excellence, innovation, and accessibility. With signature programs, we’ve proven our ability to compete head-to-head with the most prestigious institutions and conservatories attracting exceptional talent to our programs.
Our campaign addresses the most pressing challenges facing the music industry today while increasing our capacity to create lasting positive change and to support student and faculty success.
Amplify MSU’S Impact Through Music
IMAGINE IF… we could rocket forward MSU’s College of Music trajectory to a globally recognized center of excellence through a landmark naming gift.
This transformative investment would not only elevate our distinguished program to unprecedented heights but would create an endowment to reduce debt for over 600 students, making world-class education more attainable for diverse, top-tier talent. Through music’s universal language, we could amplify MSU’s influence in the performing arts while forging a lasting legacy of artistic excellence and public service that resonates across local and global communities.
Goal: $40 million
Top Music Talent Follows Funding
IMAGINE IF… we could strengthen our proven success in recruiting musicians—where we already compete head-to-head with the leaders for exceptional talent.
With an increase in scholarships and fellowships, we will eliminate financial barriers and aggressively recruit and retain the world’s finest performers, strengthening our nationally competitive programs and attracting extraordinary artists from around the globe to Michigan State University.
Goal: $30 million
Preparing Students for Tomorrow’s Opportunities
IMAGINE IF… we could create an ecosystem where passionate students don’t just dream about a life in music – they build sustainable careers pursuing their artistic ambitions.
Through innovative programs bridging talent with opportunity, students would gain access to professional-grade spaces like a recording studio, electroacoustic lab, and ambisonics theater to experiment with immersive sound and craft groundbreaking works. They could develop multi-dimensional careers through paid internships, entrepreneurial ventures, and innovative performances, while launching their work through our student-run record label. Supported by comprehensive wellness programs and career counseling, they would learn to sustain their passion by becoming innovators who enrich the global musical landscape as they compose, perform, research, produce, teach, and lead. Ultimately, they would graduate ready to build sustainable lives in music, equipped with both artistic excellence and professional versatility to turn their passion into a lasting career.
Goal: $50 million
Endowed Faculty Power Music’s Excellence
IMAGINE IF… we could power musical excellence at MSU by accelerating our investment in distinguished faculty who inspire the next generation?
With endowed positions, we could accelerate our ability to attract and retain world-class talent and fund creative and scholarly research bringing innovation to music education, research, and performance. This kind of Spartan Will can move MSU Music’s impact through the power of music while pushing the boundaries of artistic and scholarly achievement.
Goal: $20 million
Making the Power of Music Accessible
IMAGINE IF… we created endowments that transform access to community music education, making it possible to say “yes” to every Mid-Michigan and Detroit area family seeking life-changing musical opportunities, regardless of their financial circumstances.
IMAGINE IF… we built a sustainable framework where music’s power to heal, educate, and inspire creates lasting community impact for generations to come through fully funded music therapy, community music education, outreach and performance programs.
Goal: $20 million
View and download the MSU College of Music’s Uncommon Will Far Better World capital campaign below:
Uncommon Will Far Better World
View and download the MSU College of Music’s capital campaign goals and priorities.
Case Statement (PDF)Music Advancement Office
Phone: (517) 353-9872
Email: music.giving@msu.edu
Featured News
Funds supporting members of the band are part of historic gift from Greg and Dawn Williams.
The Lance LaDuke Brass Scholarship at MSU honors an alum whose passion for music continues to inspire future Spartans.
Kim Kleasen and Glenn Thomas establish two endowed funds, one that is enhancing entrepreneurship programs in the College of Music.
Michigan Fraternal Order of Eagles members rally around music education and therapy in honor of personal legacies.
Incoming graduate student Makinsey Rosser brings passion, versatility, and gratitude to the College of Music thanks in part to a fellowship and scholarship that made her dream possible.
Upcoming Events
Enjoy an open-air evening of chamber music as the Mirana String Quartet explores themes of movement, connection, and atmosphere inspired by the element of Air.
Experience music inspired by the flow and reflection of water as the Go Music Trio performs an evening of vocal and piano works in the garden.
Guest carillonist Jeremy Chesman presents a vibrant, genre-spanning program blending classical works, jazz standards, contemporary pieces, and musical theater favorites.
City Carillonneur of the City of Frederick, Maryland, John Widmann presents a program celebrating America’s 250th with American works, film and theater music, and his own composition on the carillon.