In 1984, The Falk Seminar Professorship originated as a donation from Emanuel E. Falk and Jean B. Falk.

The purpose of this fund was to provide for and support a professorship in Music, "for the enhancement of scholarly activities at Christopher Newport College".  In 1985, this professorship was launched with Dr. Clyde Brockett (left) serving as Falk Professor, a position that he continued to serve for over eighteen years until his retirement in 2003.

The Falk Seminar, or MUSC 490/590, is a seminar in Music Historical Research where the goal is not only to foster, enhance, and further the study of music history, but to also learn from the new research conducted by the participants in the seminar.