The Sower Logo

Home Arts & Culture Music Center Renovations Back On Schedule

Posters hung around the current music center display what the new center is expected to look like.

Photo Courtesy of Elisha Meyer

By Kaytlyn Kindschy

 

The reconstruction of the Music Center on campus is expected to finally begin following several delays due to the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020.

Dr. Kurt von Kampen, chair of the music department, said the $17 million project is set to begin in April of this year and be completed by the fall of 2022.

He said that the original idea for this project was to update the building to meet the standards of the accreditation agency, the National Association of Schools of Music.

“The current building has no elevator and is only accessible to the main lobby and recital hall level,” von Kampen said. “Additionally, the choir and band rooms are too small for the size of our ensembles and for hearing safety, the building does not have a sprinkler system, and the air handling system needs replacing.”

The new building will also bring new opportunities for growth within the Music Department. 

“The new building will include a recording studio, so the music department is planning to add a new emphasis to our BA Music degree that would include courses in that area,” von Kampen said.

No official dates have been set for the groundbreaking ceremony at this time.

Please leave a reply. Your comment will be reviewed by the Sower editors before posting.