There\u2019s a very common call that can be heard when one walks into the Conservatory of Music: \u201cThe practice rooms are occupied!\u201d And it\u2019s not just the practice rooms that are in use \u2013 the Fred Lowe recital hall, the Memorial Chapel, University Hall, classrooms in both Fine Arts and Watchorn Hall, and open spaces in Casa Loma and the Student Health Center, all have regular visits from students, ensembles, and community members working to hone their technique and musicianship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The music buildings are some of the oldest on campus, with photos of them from the university\u2019s archives dating back almost a century. A class catalog<\/a> from 1933 shows the original offerings for lessons in piano, organ, violin, and voice, though over the years this has grown to include almost every instrument. With the increase of musical offerings, there have been many creative steps taken to make the most use out of available space. For example, parts of the Student Health Center have been turned into offices for some of the music department faculty and students have sometimes rehearsed in the Watchorn basement, which is normally used for storage. Other students will occasionally practice outside if the weather is nice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The limited space sometimes results in students having their rehearsals in the early morning or in the evening. Many students will also practice in the middle of the night, when the buildings are mostly empty and it\u2019s easier to claim a preferred practice room or classroom. As the music department-run Community School of Music, CSMA<\/a>, also uses the classrooms and practice rooms, it can sometimes get a little crowded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf you\u2019re in Fine Arts, it\u2019s fine. If you\u2019re in Watchorn, it\u2019s a bit harder,\u201d composition major Imani Kyami \u201826, said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Piano performance major Emma Linderman \u201825, agreed. \u201cIt\u2019s definitely a bit hard to get a practice room. It really depends on if there\u2019s a concert or event coming up, how many people want to practice, and for piano majors, what pianos we\u2019re willing to play on.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Conservatory of Music hosts over 100 events annually. During the majority of the school year, those subscribed to the Conservatory\u2019s email list <\/a>will find long lists of recitals and events occurring every week, with an increase in student performances towards the<\/p>\n\n\n\n end of every semester. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Joe Modica, co-director of the School of Performing Arts and director of the Conservatory of Music, is very excited about the prospect of additional space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur music program has grown, and so we\u2019re trying to figure out a space for not only our Conservatory of Music stuff but also for the Community School of Music and the Arts\u201d Modica said. \u201cThe CSMA is currently housed about three and a half miles from here, and we wanted to bring it back to campus. So when I learned that Henchske was basically unoccupied, I asked to take a look at it and see if it would fit our needs, and it did. So fortunately, the Administration was supportive of us moving over there.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n