Samford to begin construction of recital hall, music building

Samford University in Birmingham is moving ahead with plans to construct a recital hall and instrumental music building for its school of performing arts.

The proposed structure was described by Samford President Thomas Corts as “essential” earlier this year.

The Samford board of trustees, at its spring meeting May 4, approved a plan to emphasize fund raising for the facility so that construction could begin as soon as possible.

The board also approved hiring an architect and acoustics, lighting and sound system consultants for the building. Planning will be completed by late 2004, according to Vice President for Facilities Don Mott.

The project was one of the first mentioned by Corts in his January report of Samford initiatives approved by the board for the next decade.

“We hope soon to begin construction of an essential music recital hall with attendant facilities for instrumental music,” he said.

Although no construction timetable was announced for the approximately $7 million facility, Corts stressed that “the need is immediate.” It will house Samford’s orchestral and band programs.

The university offers a full instrumental program including instruction in strings, woodwind, brass and percussion.

Instrumental students participate in a wide variety of ensembles including orchestra, wind, marching band, jazz and percussion.

Samford music programs currently are housed in John H. Buchanan Hall, built in the 1960s as a classroom, studio and office building.

Music programs also use facilities in Leslie Stephen Wright Fine Arts Center, with its auditorium, theatre, art gallery and recital room.

Tentative plans call for the new building to be located adjacent to Buchanan Hall and Wright Center.

Samford’s school of music combined with the department of theatre in 2001 to form the school of performing arts.

Samford offers majors in music, music education, musical theatre, church music, performance and theory/composition.

Milburn Price is dean of the school of performing arts and conductor of the Samford orchestra. (SU)