Then a student in the School of Music, Rector was a bassoonist in the University's Little S ymphony under the direction of Thor Johnson. In an interview, Rector speculated it was Johnson's idea to hold concerts there. The Musical Art Quartet of New York led off the annual series, and was followed by the Roth Quartet. The chamber festival gradually expanded over the years into the present Chamber Arts Series, which in recent times has included the Julliard String Quartet, the Beaux Arts Trio, and many other famous ensembles. In the last four decades, the University Musical Society has presented festivals of ballet, folk, and ethnic dance on the Rackham stage.
Music is present elsewhere in the building, also.
In the alcoves at either end of the East Lounge on the second floor are grand pianos, available to students for practicing or composing. The School of Music has placed another grand in the large assembly room on the north side of the top floor. This room is used by the school for thesis concerts and chamber recitals. The high ceiling and carpeted floor seem to enhance the acoustics ideally. Perhaps the most original use of the building for the performing arts occurred in 1976.