Department Of Music

Valley City Normal School hired its first music teacher in 1892. In 1900 two instructors were hired: one of these was Fannie C. Amidon. Amidon proposed to the president of the Normal School that a department of public school music be organized, offering teachers a special certificate in music. Permission was given and thus was established the first music education department west of Detroit, Michigan. Other early accomplishments of the department include the establishment of North Dakota's first instrumental music program and the formation of the North Dakota Music Education Association. In Fall, 1963 the Department of Music moved into the newly constructed Foss Music classroom building. Foss Hall, on the bank of the Sheyenne River, was the first independent music building in North Dakota. In 1997 the Department became accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).