A native of Iowa, Dr. Jerry Curry, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, began his career as a public school music teacher. He earned BA and MA degrees in music education at the University of Northern Iowa and taught for seven years in the Iowa public school systems. He then attended the University of Iowa where he completed his Ph.D. in music theory in 1969.

After teaching one year at Centre College of Kentucky, Dr. Curry joined the music faculty at USC in 1970, where he taught undergraduate and graduate music theory. Postdoctoral work included study of Schenkerian Analysis with Charles Burkhart through an NEH grant. He received the Cantey Outstanding Faculty award in 2007.

Dr. Curry also assumed a number of administrative positions with the university. In the College of Arts and Letters he served several years as Assistant Dean. In the School of Music at various times he was Coordinator of Music Theory, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Director of Graduate Studies, and Associate Dean.

While at the University of Iowa, he had an opportunity to play harpsichord in the Collegium Musicum under the direction of early music specialist Robert Donington. He continued study under the French harpsichordist Kenneth Gilbert, expanding a life-long passion for baroque music and performance practice. He performed throughout the Southeast as a soloist and ensemble player, was harpsichordist in the Columbia Consort and other chamber music groups, and played continua with the South Carolina Philharmonic.

Dr. Curry was a founding member of the Society for Music Theory and the Southeastern Historical Keyboard Society, serving many years as treasurer for the latter organization.

Dr. Curry retired from the School of Music in 2007.