As the curtains rise on the newest addition to our university’s campus, the opening of the new performing arts wing marks not just the unveiling of physical space, but the dawn of a new era for creativity and collaboration within the Performing Arts program. Beyond the presence of new walls, floors, ceilings and everything in between, the wing holds the voices and experiences of the students and faculty who now call it home.
The space recently opened and has been in use for a few weeks by the university’s Performing Arts programs.
Keith Johnston, Director of Band and Orchestra Programs, has been involved in the proposal and planning of this new space since he first started in 2003.
Madison Beekman, Manager of Editorial Content
Source: Brendan Murphy, Staff Photographer
“My guess is there are going to be around 1,000 students regularly utilizing the space and already you can just feel the buzz around everybody which is fantastic,” said Johnston.
The new band room is now large enough to accommodate all of their needs and the new features such as built-in acoustics and soundproof walls allow them to have a more successful practice.
“Hearing is an active part of what we do,” said Johnston. “So this space allows me to balance the ensemble and the people sitting in the back can hear the people sitting in the front and vice versa. It is just an enormous difference.”
Senior Maryann Droesch, Band President, had the opportunity to rehearse in the space with the first rehearsal being held on March 25.
“Every year we have been somewhere different, so it is really cool to have this new space and know that this was made for us, with us in mind,” said Droesch. “It is eye- catching, and it feels so state-of-the-art, and it is going to show any interested students that all of our programs are
legit.”
The new choir room is also acoustically engineered and large enough to accommodate all members and the need for more cubic volume to hear the sound.
“It is amazing for us to be in a beautiful space that feels really professional,” said Dr. Christopher Grundy, Director of Choral Programs. “We are able to work on musical balance and detail, and the space makes it easier to focus and do high-level work.”
The choral program has had acapella groups from other universities come for an all-day workshop followed by a joint concert at night where they all sang together.
“Having a space where we can handle hosting other choral groups for collaborations is huge,” said Grundy, “This puts us on the map for students looking to study music in college and it shows we are serious about performing arts and puts us in competition with really serious performing arts programs. We have had a lot of positive feedback from the students already and they are excited to start working.”
“I am really impressed with how updated and modern it looks. Everyone is super excited about the space; they love the natural lighting and the layout so they are just ready to get in there and work,” said senior Arianna Visconti, Choir President. “It’s also going to create an even greater relationship between all of the programs.
The dance program now has three new studios and a changing room to utilize with over 400 students in the program.
“Our new space is closer to the Edgerton where we perform so it is definitely more functional than our previous situation,” said junior Mikela Pirri, President of Inception Dance Crew. “We are all so happy and excited to be in a very beautiful space and we are grateful to have our
own separate spot.”
The Theatre Arts Program (TAP) has also had the opportunity to utilize its new space for classes and rehearsals.
“It’s just rewarding to walk through a space that you feel like you have made an impact on,” said senior and TAP President Grace Posillico.
“It’s going to bring so much professionalism to our program and show that we mean business,” said Posillico. “Speaking for the program, we are all just like ‘Finally this is real.’”
