On Thursday, the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching named Barker Professor of Music Theory Brian Alegant a U.S. Professor of the Year. Alegant, one of four professors honored out of a pool of 400 nominees for the national category, is the first music professor to win the award in its 35-year history. CASE and CFAT chose the winners based on criteria that included their approach to teaching, relationship with undergraduates and support by colleagues.

Alegant, who received a doctorate in music theory at Eastman School of Music and master’s degrees in music theory and music history at Temple University, has been noted for his unorthodox teaching style. According to a press release that accompanied the award announcement, Alegant de-emphasizes tests, lectures and top-down assignments, instead giving students the space to choose what music they want to work with and how they will study it.