Melody of Love: The John J. Cali School of Music

The John J. Cali School of Music, the first school of music at a New Jersey university, has been named in recognition of the generosity and sustained support shown to Montclair State by the John J. Cali family. The $5 million gift from the Cali family and foundation will be used largely to provide scholarships to Cali School of Music students, with the balance devoted to establishing a full-time endowed professorship.

Mr. Cali is a longtime resident of Montclair and a talented musician in his own right who earned his way through college by playing the saxophone in swing and jazz bands. He is one of New Jersey’s most prominent real estate industry leaders and co-founded Cali Associates in 1949 with his brother Angelo Cali '36 and childhood friend Edward Leshowitz '36. In 1997, Cali Realty merged with the Mack Company, forming one of the most recognizable and respected real estate development names in the nation– the Mack/Cali Realty Corporation. His wife, Rose Cali '80, has been a member of the University’s Board of Trustees since 1991.

The University’s historic Chapin Hall will be renovated and expanded to serve as the new home for the John J. Cali School of Music and Montclair State’s music program. The 53,000-square-foot facility will include state-of-the-art teaching laboratories, rehear-sal and practice halls and studios, and a music therapy suite. As a complement to the University’s acoustically superb Alexander Kasser Theater, the expansion project also includes construction of the 250-seat Jed Leshowitz Recital Hall.

The John J. Cali School of Music blends outstanding musical training with a liberal arts education and is home to programs in performance, music education, music therapy (the only program of its kind in New Jersey), and theory/composition. Its program in microtonal music is unique in the country.
The University’s music program offers over 100 performances each year by guest artists, faculty, and students. Its ensembles include the Montclair State University Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Wind Symphony, Chorale, University Singers, Chamber Ensembles, and Opera Workshop. Student ensembles also perform regionally, nationally, and internationally.