About the Musical Arts Society

Founded in 1921 by acclaimed composer and pianist R. Nathaniel Dett, the Hampton University Musical Arts Society strives to enrich the cultural needs of the community.  The purpose of the society is to present to the university and the Peninsula region artists of national and international renown.

Through the Musical Arts Society’s annual series of concerts and recitals of music and dance, Ogden Hall gained a reputation as one of the nation’s leading cultural epicenters.  Throughout the years, HU’s Musical Arts Society has welcomed artists such as:

• Percy Grainger, pianist
• Fritz Kreisler, violinist
• Duke Ellington and his Orchestra
• The Vienna Boys Choir
• Betty Allen, mezzo soprano
• Marian Anderson, contralto
• Todd Duncan, baritone
• Dorothy Maynor, soprano
• Paul Robeson, baritone
• Richard Tucker, tenor
• The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre
• Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo
• Bambi Linn and Rod Alexander, ballroom dancing
• The Robert Joffrey Ballet