Between 1925 and 1969, the foundation for the College of Fine Arts and Communications at Brigham Young University was firmly established. These formative decades saw more than just the creation of departments or the construction of buildings — they represented a deliberate and determined effort to make the arts and communications central to the university’s mission. In fact, any of BYU’s esteemed performance groups were established during this time period.
Creation of the College of Fine Arts | 1925
In 1925, BYU President Franklin S. Harris established the College of Fine Arts, which was the first fine arts college in the western United States. The college brought together departments including art, speech and dramatic arts. Gerrit de Jong Jr., for whom the university’s concert hall was named, was appointed as its inaugural dean. Under his leadership, the college laid a strong foundation for integrating artistic expression with academic excellence. His vision helped shape a vibrant creative culture that continues to thrive at BYU today.
Department of Communications Is Founded | 1933
Founded in 1933, the Department of Communications officially joined the College of Fine Arts in 1963, prompting a name change to the College of Fine Arts and Communications. This addition expanded the college’s scope to include journalism, broadcasting and photography. In 2015, the department was elevated to the School of Communications, reflecting its continued growth and impact.
“Sun Dance Opera” Goes To Broadway | 1937
"The Sun Dance," a collaborative opera by BYU music professor William F. Hanson and Lakota writer and composer Gertrude Bonnin (Zitkala-Sa), made its Broadway debut in 1937 after first premiering in Utah in 1913. The five-act opera, which portrays the beliefs, hopes, and challenges of Native Americans, follows a love triangle between a Sioux warrior, a Sioux maiden and a Shoshone. While inspired by the Lakota Sun Dance ritual, the work also draws from Hanson's experiences with the Ute people. Its Broadway run marked a rare moment when Native American themes and music reached a national stage.
BYU Easter Broadcast Reaches Global Audience | 1940
In March 1940, BYU’s Music Department choirs and orchestra reached international audiences with an Easter broadcast over the CBS Radio Network, including Canadian, European and South American stations. The program featured the world premiere of "The Lord’s Prayer" by Professor LeRoy J. Robertson, performed by a mixed chorus and orchestra. Other works included "My Soul Is Athirst for God" by Florence Jepperson Madsen, with a solo by Edward Sandgren, as well as George Careless’s "He Died, the Great Redeemer Died." The orchestra also performed selections from Beethoven’s Eighth Symphony and a Bach-Newark chorale. The broadcast aired live from College Hall in Provo and marked the third consecutive Easter broadcast by BYU ensembles.
BYU Professor Wins National Music Composition Prize | 1947
In December 1947, BYU music professor LeRoy Robertson received national recognition when he won the prestigious Reichhold Prize—one of the largest cash awards for composition at the time—for his "Trilogy for Symphony Orchestra." The piece was premiered by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the competition jury included several prominent American composers. Robertson’s win brought significant attention to BYU and cemented his reputation as a leading figure in American classical music.
BYU Folk Dancers Is Founded | 1956
Founded in 1956 by Mary Bee Jensen, BYU’s International Folk Dance Ensemble quickly grew into the largest and most versatile performing group of its kind in the United States. Under Jensen’s direction, the ensemble traveled extensively, performing in countries such as Austria, China, Israel, Turkey and many more. With a mission to celebrate global traditions, the group showcases both international and American folk cultures at festivals around the world. Their performances offer a rich, immersive experience that honors the diversity of dance and music across cultures.
Jazz Comes to BYU | 1958
Jazz officially made its debut at Brigham Young University with a landmark performance by Dick Ballou’s Y’s Men, marking a pivotal moment in the university’s cultural history. The concert, which featured classic jazz standards like “Basin Street Blues” and “South Rampart Street Parade” alongside original compositions such as “Get Holt” and “Satellite No. 4,” showcased the talent and ambition of BYU’s growing music scene. Emceed by a known campus jazz personality who went by the name “Jazzbo”, the evening blended performance with education, offering a musical timeline of jazz’s evolution. Despite some skepticism within the university community, the event drew attention from other Utah institutions and underscored student enthusiasm for jazz as a legitimate and expressive art form. For 50 cents, attendees received not only a 90-minute concert but also two hours of dancing.
The Ballroom Dance Company Is Founded | 1960
BYU’s Ballroom Dance Company began in 1960, thanks to the efforts of Benjamin and Josephine de Hoyos. Their vision and early leadership helped the group stand out nationally almost immediately. In the decades that followed, the company became a staple of the university’s touring arts groups, winning competitions and delighting audiences across the world. Known for its blend of technical skill and theatrical flair, the program helped establish ballroom as a serious academic and artistic discipline at BYU.
The Music Department Joins the College of Fine Arts and Communications | 1964
In 1964, the Music Department officially became part of the College of Fine Arts and Communications, further expanding the college’s artistic reach. This integration marked a significant step in unifying BYU’s performing arts under one academic umbrella. The department soon moved into the newly constructed Franklin S. Harris Fine Arts Center, gaining access to state-of-the-art facilities. This transition helped elevate the quality and visibility of music education and performance on campus.
The Franklin S. Harris Fine Arts Center Is Completed | 1965
Dedicated on April 3, 1965, by Church President Joseph Fielding Smith, the Franklin S. Harris Fine Arts Center (HFAC) was the largest and most ambitious building project in BYU’s history at the time. Designed by the renowned firm William L. Pereira and Associates of Los Angeles, the $7 million structure spanned two acres and covered 258,000 square feet. Shaped like a massive “H,” with four wings connected by a central grand gallery, the center unified the university’s previously scattered performing arts facilities. It replaced outdated and temporary structures, such as the war-surplus buildings housing the Speech Center, and consolidated functions from College Hall, the Joseph Smith Auditorium and Lower Campus. With five theaters and concert halls, the HFAC became a hub for music, theater, and art, which Pereira described as “the most comprehensive center of its kind ever commissioned by an American university.”
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