As Skidmore College's music program continues to grow each year,
faculty, staff and students will be able to teach and learn in a
state-of-the-art music center beginning in January 2010.
The soft opening of the Arthur Zankel Music Center will take place when students come back from winter break, and faculty and staff will begin moving in during the break. There will be a formal dedication of the building in October 2010.
The new music center is named after the late Arthur Zankel, a long-time trustee of Skidmore College. When Zankel passed away in 2005, he willed $42 million to the college which helped to fund the $32 million music center.
"Arthur was deeply committed to sharing his good fortune with others. He also profoundly believed in the transformative power of the arts. The Arthur Zankel Music Center unites these two passions in a powerful way, allowing the college to share the joy of world-class musical performance, teaching and learning, not only for the entire college but for the entire upstate region," Martin Zankel said in a statement.
The building sits at the east end of campus and will be one of the first buildings to be seen upon entering the campus from the main entrance on North Broadway.
"This is something we've been lobbying for since 1987. The Filene Music Center was one of the first buildings on the new campus and we simply have run out of room," said Thomas Denny, music professor and chairperson of the department.
Over the past 25 years the number of students in the music program has doubled. When the Filene Music Hall opened in 1967 there were eight faculty members in the department, whereas today there are more than 40.
"We are finally going to have a great deal more space in a gorgeous new building," Denny said.
The 52,000 square foot building will feature a 600-seat music hall, a huge upgrade from Filene's 240-seat hall. There will also be a large ensemble room for practice and small practice rooms for private classes and lessons. The exterior will feature a glass and brick façade.
According to Michael West, treasurer and vice-president of business affairs and campus development, the center will have a capacity for having an orchestra pit, a catwalk and high-quality lighting and sound. There will also be a smaller, 100-seat lecture hall and a state-of-the-art recording studio.
"This is an important facility for the campus. It will provide another great music venue for Saratoga Springs," he said.
Previously, when high-profile artists and musicians have visited Skidmore College, it hasn't been publicized to the community due to lack of space. This problem will be alleviated by the Arthur Zankel Music Center.
"A lot of pressure will be taken off the stage in both facilities. We will have the capacity to hold more events and won't need to turn people away due to lack of room. This is a very exciting move for our department," Denny said.
The new music center is named after the late Arthur Zankel, a long-time trustee of Skidmore College. When Zankel passed away in 2005, he willed $42 million to the college which helped to fund the $32 million music center.
"Arthur was deeply committed to sharing his good fortune with others. He also profoundly believed in the transformative power of the arts. The Arthur Zankel Music Center unites these two passions in a powerful way, allowing the college to share the joy of world-class musical performance, teaching and learning, not only for the entire college but for the entire upstate region," Martin Zankel said in a statement.
The building sits at the east end of campus and will be one of the first buildings to be seen upon entering the campus from the main entrance on North Broadway.
"This is something we've been lobbying for since 1987. The Filene Music Center was one of the first buildings on the new campus and we simply have run out of room," said Thomas Denny, music professor and chairperson of the department.
Over the past 25 years the number of students in the music program has doubled. When the Filene Music Hall opened in 1967 there were eight faculty members in the department, whereas today there are more than 40.
"We are finally going to have a great deal more space in a gorgeous new building," Denny said.
The 52,000 square foot building will feature a 600-seat music hall, a huge upgrade from Filene's 240-seat hall. There will also be a large ensemble room for practice and small practice rooms for private classes and lessons. The exterior will feature a glass and brick façade.
According to Michael West, treasurer and vice-president of business affairs and campus development, the center will have a capacity for having an orchestra pit, a catwalk and high-quality lighting and sound. There will also be a smaller, 100-seat lecture hall and a state-of-the-art recording studio.
"This is an important facility for the campus. It will provide another great music venue for Saratoga Springs," he said.
Previously, when high-profile artists and musicians have visited Skidmore College, it hasn't been publicized to the community due to lack of space. This problem will be alleviated by the Arthur Zankel Music Center.
"A lot of pressure will be taken off the stage in both facilities. We will have the capacity to hold more events and won't need to turn people away due to lack of room. This is a very exciting move for our department," Denny said.
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