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College of Arts and Sciences Announces Campaign to Transform School of Music

April 16, 2012

College of Arts and Sciences Announces Campaign to Transform School of Music

The College of Arts and Sciences at The Ohio State University has kicked off a new fundraising campaign to vastly improve and revitalize its School of Music facilities, and is committing $20 million of university funds to the endeavor, according to an announcement from Joseph Steinmetz (left), executive dean and vice provost. The “New Day Campaign” starts immediately and will raise funds for the school over a three-year time period with the goal to bring the facilities in line to complement the school’s outstanding faculty and students.

“At Ohio State, we realize the vast importance of the arts, not only to our campus community but to the Columbus community as well,” Steinmetz said. “The arts are the front door to our university, a way for us to connect to those around us. Our vision is to develop a vibrant Arts District on campus, with galleries, and performance and teaching spaces that invite students, faculty and community members to gather and celebrate creativity and the arts. To realize our vision, we are in the midst of a major transformation of our arts facilities. This campaign will help us transform the School of Music.”

The campaign was announced Tuesday, April 17, at an event for friends of the school, held at the Ohio Union on campus. The evening centered on School of Music students, with performances that included opera students, the Wind Symphony, the Jazz Ensemble, soloists, the Flute Troupe, student composers, members of the Marching Band, chamber musicians, and the Men’s Glee Club.

(Read Executive Dean Steinmetz's remarks)

“Our School of Music serves more than 1,400 undergraduate and graduate students – with 600 of them majoring in music,” said Richard Blatti, director. “These students learn to be musicians with hands-on activities, from individual lessons and ensemble rehearsals to recitals, concerts, studio work, classes and full productions on stage. We present about 400 performances each year.”

Blatti said all of that activity requires space, instruments, technology and equipment, all of which are currently in short supply. The New Day Campaign will change that.

The architectural firm of Westlake, Reed and Leskosky recently spent several weeks with the School of Music faculty discussing current needs and determining priorities for the future. As a result, they have now conceptually mapped out the feasibility of expanding and revitalizing Weigel Hall and constructing an adjacent new acoustically excellent recital hall and much-needed large teaching and rehearsal studios. The firm’s study generated plans that, depending on the resources raised, could result in modest, substantial, or sweeping renovations.

“We want Ohio State to be a signature place in Columbus for the arts, part of the vibrant arts scene that extends along High Street, connecting campus to the Short North and the wonderful arts venues downtown. Revitalizing the School of Music is central to that plan,” said Steinmetz.

Give to the School of Music New Day Campaign Fund to support construction costs associated with building project.