A new building at The University of Manchester has officially opened and named in honour of former graduate Marian Millar. Miss Millar was passionate for women and girls’ education, with Marian becoming the first woman to graduate with a music degree in the UK. She gained her qualification in 1894, whilst teaching at the Manchester High School for Girls.
The University of Manchester President and Vice-Chancellor Duncan Ivison officially unveiled the Marian Millar Building at a special event where students from Manchester High School for Girls performed two pieces of music. The Marian Millar Building provides students with access to brand new practice and rehearsal spaces, equipped with the latest sound-proofing technology and musical instruments.
Marian graduated from the then Victoria University of Manchester before continuing to teach Pianoforte and Harmony at Manchester High School for Girls from 1874 to 1901. Beyond her teaching career, she also contributed to numerous articles, translations, and lyrics for musical publications. The connections between the school and university were also uncovered as archived information revealed that Manchester High School for Girls was originally located on Dover Street, where the University now has the Christabel Pankhurst Institute and Dover Street Building located near to the original site.
The celebration event also featured performances from the Manchester University Music Society (MUMS) MUSICA festival, presided over by Amy Browne, showcasing the talents of women and gender-diverse musicians today at the University. Students from Manchester High School for Girls showcased their work with moving performances of Ethel Younge’s “March of the Woman,” a significant piece from the turn of the 20th century, and “What is a Girl” by Errolyn Wallen, which was specially commissioned for the school’s 150th anniversary in 2024.
By honouring Marian’s legacy and highlighting the skills of today’s female musicians, the event conveyed the crucial influence women have in shaping the future of music, securing the celebration of their stories and talents for generations to come.
Professor David Berezan, Head of the Music Department at the University of Manchester, comments: “We’re delighted to celebrate the legacy of Marian Millar, whose name now adorns our practice room building. Among many firsts, Marian was the first woman to be awarded a Music degree at the Victoria University of Manchester in 1894. It is also fitting that we officially unveil the Marian Millar building alongside performances by students from the Manchester High School for Girls, where Marian taught from 1874 to 1901, following a Musica Festival concert showcasing women composers.”
