The MU School of Music got a big boost Monday. Jeanne and Rex Sinquefield donated $2 million to support the Mizzou New Music Initiative. The donation will support the program through 2019.
The dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Michael O’Brien, said the latest donation will help position the School of Music as a national leader in music composition. He says since the program was created in 2009, it has already produced award winning musicians.
“This continues what the Sinquefield’s started several years ago with music composition. This is the sixth national winner that he’s had come out of this program that they fund,” O’Brien said. “This is the place to come for music composition. That’s what they’ve done; they’ve put us on the map.”
O’Brien said all of this will help the school grow in numbers and status.
“It’s a great recruitment tool. We are known internationally for what this program is doing and it’s only a few years old. Think about what it will be in another five or six years,” O’Brien said.
The Mizzou New Music Initiative supports programs in the School of Music including the Mizzou New Music Ensemble, as well as competition prizes for students.