The university originally planned a large Fine Art center to house the art, music, dance, and drama departments in the early 1970s, to be located north of the then recently built library. Funds were eventually available for only the drama department and the creation of the University Theater Center.  A decade passed before another attempt was made at completing the proposed center but when funds came up short again, the eventual building was dedicated solely for the music department.

Known as the Fine Arts Building for its first two decades, the building is generally referred to as the Music Building as home to the School of Music.