William Seymour Memorial Scholarship for Music

The William Seymour Memorial Scholarship in Music is established to honor the life and work of the celebrated UNM professor of Music.

Dr. Seymour came to UNM in 1962. He taught piano, low brass instruments, music education, musical behavior, piano pedagogy, music aesthetics, and psychology. In his “spare” time, he served as advisor to all the students in the department, which often numbered around 350. He served as department chair from 1970 to 1973 and for a time was Assistant Dean of the College of Fine Arts.

In 1993, he received the Teacher of the Year Award from the College of Fine Arts and was inducted into the New Mexico Music Educators Hall of Fame. He retired in 1993, but continued to teach piano and classes in piano improvisation and piano pedagogy, and to pursue his research in music and neuroscience.

Bill will be remembered fondly by the many students and friends whose lives he touched.