by JENI DAHMUS October 2001

A portrait tablet in memory of Augustus D. Juilliard. (Photo by Ira Rosenblum)

1925 October 15, the Juilliard Musical Foundation unveiled a portrait tablet in memory of Augustus D. Juilliard. Addresses were given by Eugene A. Noble, secretary of the foundation; Olin Downes, a music critic for The New York Times and, Frederic A. Juilliard, president of the Board of Trustees. The portrait tablet is currently displayed adjacent to Juilliard’s Morse Hall. In conjunction with the unveiling, the Juilliard Musical Foundation celebrated the opening of its home at 49 East 52nd Street with an exhibition of paintings by American artists, October 15-November 5.

1974 October 8, 15, 22, and 29, the distinguished bass-baritone George London gave a series of classes in the presentation and interpretation of major operatic roles for both the male and female voice. After retiring from a successful performing career, Mr. London became artistic director of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (1968-1971), director of the National Opera Institute (1971-1976), and general director of the Washington Opera (1975-1977).

1987 October 30, the noted director and actor André Gregory spoke with Drama Division students.

Students moved into the Meredith Willson Residence Hall on October 10, 1990. (Photo by David J. Archer)

1990 October 10, the Meredith Willson Residence Hall opened its doors to more than 300 students. Occupying the 11th and the 17th through the 29th floors of the Samuel B. and David Rose Building, the hall provided Juilliard’s first on-campus housing and also served as an 85th birthday present to the School. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on October 22. Juilliard alumna and soprano Shirley Verrett and baritone Robert Merrill made special appearances, while the chairwoman of Juilliard’s board, Mrs. Frank Y. Larkin, cut the ribbon to fanfare accompaniment by a brass quintet. Juilliard named the hall after alumnus Meredith Willson to commemorate Mrs. Rosemary Willson’s gift to the School in honor of her late husband, the composer, conductor, flutist, and lyricist. Mr. Willson was enrolled in the flute program of the Institute of Musical Art, Juilliard’s predecessor institution, during the 1920-21 academic year, where he studied with Georges Barrère. Mr. Willson is best known for his three Broadway musicals, The Music Man, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, and Here’s Love.

Jeni Dahmus is Juilliard’s archivist.