About the Center

The mission of the Center for American Music is to advance the teaching, scholarship, and performance of American music from all traditions, including concert, folk, and popular musics. In keeping with the richness and diversity of the United States itself, we attend to the multiplicity of music in America through research, educational, and performance programs of the highest quality directed to all those who love American music.

Inaugurated in the fall of 2002, the Center is now planning several new projects in the areas of research, teaching, and performance. In addition, the Center will contribute to initiatives sponsored by the School of Music, most notably the creation of new programs in recording technology, music business, and of a UT recording label.

The Center for American Music is the only such center or institute to be integrated with a comprehensive school of music within a major research university. The UT School of Music aims to create a unique community of scholars, performers, and industry professionals in a collaborative learning environment. And the University of Texas offers remarkable institutional resources for the comprehensive study of American music. Our Center draws upon the University’s exceptional programs in American history and American studies, unique archival collections, and superb general library system. The Center for American Music plans to work closely with the Center for American History and Harry Ransom Center, drawing upon these respective collections for the research and teaching of American music. New courses in the music of Texas, for example, incorporate historic sound recordings and photographs found at the Center for American History into lectures and presentations.

Austin is known as “the live music capital of the world,” and its unparalleled musical scene and burgeoning recording and film industries provide the perfect context for the study of American music in its many guises: from traditional folksong, country, blues, and gospel, to rock, rap, blue-eyed soul, and contemporary concert music. The Center for American Music at the University of Texas plans to forge links between the academy and the community to facilitate an unprecedented exchange between musicians, scholars, students, and citizens of Austin.

The programs of the Center and the School, the resources of the University, and environment of Austin together form a vast network of opportunities for the study, performance, and practice of American music. Whether you are a student, music professional, educator, or curious listener, the Center for American Music offers something of interest and value as we explore the varied experiences of music in America.

Address:
University of Texas at Austin
School of Music
1 University Station, E3100
Austin, Texas 78712

Street address for express or package delivery: 25th and East Campus Drive

Center email:
AmericanMusic@mail.music.utexas.edu