Encyclopedia of UNCG History

An online resource for exploring the history of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Music performance (or applied music) has been a concentration within the music department since UNCG opened in 1892. The first concentration in performance offered was in vocal. It was not until 1900, with the addition of Charles J. Brockmann and his sister Laura Brockmann to the faculty, that a concentration in instrumental became available for […]

Music education was one of the first degree paths available to students when the State Normal and Industrial School (now UNCG) opened in 1892. In 1919, interest in the field began to rise which prompted more professors to be recruited to create classes and curriculum that were then added to the music department. This eventually […]

Studies in music have been offered at UNCG since its opening in 1892. Courses for music majors who were looking to teach or perform were offered in solfeggio, ear training, and history of music. Beginning in 1912, the school started offering more musical theory class options which included: counterpoint analysis, melody writing, and elementary form. […]

Raymond J. Gariglio came to UNCG in 1966 as a Professor of Music and became the bandmaster for all UNCG performing band ensembles, many of which he founded himself. In 1969, he established the UNCG Jazz Ensemble, the first university-accredited jazz ensemble in North Carolina, and by 1983, his tireless work in the field had […]

The Darlinettes and their four-member vocal group, The Rhythmettes, were a big band consisting of Woman’s College students, formed in 1942. Many of the Darlinettes’ and Rhythmettes’ performances took place at Woman’s College. They played many of the formal dances and “soldier dances” held on campus during and immediately after WWII. But the group was […]

As an undergraduate student at UNCG, Dr. Cheek actively served as the vice-president of the Alpha Xi chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon in addition to being the music editor for the Carolinian.  She was also a member of the Outing Club and a university marshal.  Dr. Cheek was also the first African American student to complete […]