Type: Exhibition caption
Detail: Howard Decker McKinney graduated from Rutgers College in 1913. In 1916, he was hired as the music director of Rutgers College and worked to improve the quality of music at college events and chapel services. Over the years, McKinney also directed the Rutgers Musical Clubs, Glee Club, and Choir; advised the Music Club; founded the University Concert Series; and worked with several music groups at New Jersey College for Women. As a tribute to his many contributions, the Music Activities Building, which housed rehearsal halls for the Rutgers University Glee Club, Band, and University Choir, was renamed McKinney Hall around 1960.
The Rutgers College Music Department was formally introduced in 1919. Classes, exams, and student performances were held in the Music House which, by 1950, was located at 19 Bishop Place. McKinney served as the department’s first director and was succeeded by Alfred Mann in the 1950s. Henry W. Kaufmann, a Rutgers College professor, Episcopal priest, organist, and choir director ran the department from 1964 to 1973. Lastly, Martin Picker chaired the department until 1981 when the music departments of Rutgers University folded into the Mason Gross School of the Arts.