The original building, now called Lenfest Hall, was dedicated on May 25, 1991 after almost four years of construction and planning. The $10.5 million, 50,000 square foot facility is the home of the theater department. The building is named in honor of Marguerite and H.F. (Gerry) Lenfest, who gave $3 million towards construction and endowment.

"Marguerite and I are delighted with this opportunity to contribute to the new center for the performing arts at Washington and Lee," said Mr. Lenfest, a 1953 graduate of the university. "It promises to enrich the learning experience at the university and provide the surrounding region with a contemporary, state-of-the-art facility for music, drama and dance."

Washington and Lee University's new John and Anne Wilson Hall, housing the departments of music and art, and named for former W&L president John D. Wilson and his wife Anne, will be dedicated on Friday, Oct. 27, 2007.

Washington and Lee offers a comprehensive music major leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree. Led by a talented faculty, music majors--ranging from five to fifteen per year--take courses in theory, history, and performance, and elect to concentrate in one of the areas. The concentration they choose dictates the type of final project they are required to complete. Composers arrange and present a program of original music. Musicologists write a thesis. Performance students present a recital. Typically, many of the university's music majors also pursue a second major in areas such as pre-medicine, commerce, or journalism.