Dr. Jeffrey Wasson was appointed to the faculty in 1985, and was made Assistant Professor in 1986. In 1988 he was appointed Director of Music. In 1991 he was promoted to Associate Professor and to the rank of Professor in 1999. Dr. Wasson was on the faculty of Northwestern University, prior to coming to Barat, where he has also served several times as a visiting professor. The Music Practice Wing, established in 1991, offers six private practice rooms for students.
Most rooms have pianos.
Pianos by Steinway, Mason and Hamlin, Conover, Everett, and other well-known builders are available for practice. In addition there are two electric organs for student practice in the Practice Wing. There is a small nonfundable room key fee required for practice room access. Concert facilities center about the Barat Chapel and the Hilton Theatre. The acoustically magnificent Barat Chapel has a recently purchased Steinway concert grand piano.