Roy A. Schuessler Vocal Arts Center: School of Music: University of Minnesota

Roy A. Schuessler Vocal Arts Center

Roy Schuessler (1910-1982), a master teacher who strove to free the spirit and light up the mind.

The Roy A. Schuessler Vocal Arts Center was founded in 1986 with the support of Elaine Dahlgren Schuessler and former students and colleagues of Professor Schuessler.

The Vocal Arts Center serves as a center for those who aspire to sing, for those who teach or do research, and for those who have been subject to any form of vocal abuse.

Mission

to promote and perpetuate a vocal philosophy consonant with the life work of Professor Schuessler
to assist singers and teachers of singing in fulfilling educational and professional objectives
to sponsor vocal arts events and activities
to assist the University of Minnesota School of Music in acquiring and developing resources for comprehensive programs in vocal research, study, and performance.

The Vocal Arts Center is organized within the voice division of the School of Music, as a service organization to the University and the vocal community at large. It is administered by a cabinet that comprises school of music faculty, assisted by representatives of the professional vocal community and a member of Schuessler's family, who serves in an advisory capacity.

Facilities

The Vocal Resource Room, which is located in the music library, contains a variety of books, video and audio tapes, vocal music scores, and recordings. The primary focus of the collection is on vocal pedagogy and performance. The room is available for study, research, seminars, and committee meetings by advance permission of the library staff.

Annual Activities

visiting artists-teachers for master classes, workshops, and fall voice conferences, usually in cooperation with other professional organizations
summer voice workshops and conferences, sometimes in cooperation with other University units
a $5,000 Schuessler Vocal Prize, which is awarded annually to an outstanding voice student in a competition held in February. For more information, contact Jean del Santo at delsanto@umn.edu.

Funding

The Roy A. Schuessler Vocal Arts center was established with an initial endowment by Mrs. Schuessler. Gifts of cash, personal estates, and bequests of rare books, securities, properties, equipment, and selected voice materials are welcome.

For more information, contact:

Clifton Ware
100 Ferguson Hall
2106 Fourth Street South
Minneapolis MN 55455-0437
e-mail: warex001@tc.umn.edu