Music Program (2011 Strategic Plan)

Soundproofing and ventilation in the main classroom and practice spaces will enable the Music Program Faculty to teach more effectively.

Comments
Please include your thoughts on the importance of the initiative, how to frame the issue, things that may be missing, and any additional comments here (you can do so by logging into Hampedia and clicking edit):


 * This statement is extremely disappointing. We also need: more music faculty, more resources for students wanting to take private lessons (perhaps even providing them), performance courses beyond jazz (don't get me wrong, I love jazz, but it shouldn't make up virtually the only music performance classes we have other than chorus), a recital hall with better acoustics, etc., etc., etc. Devin Morse
 * How about separate facilities for music faculty offices to expand the hours available for drummers and electric music? How about better soundproofing of Frankie Patt's Institute for Rock 'N' Roll studies? I also agree with everything Devin said above. I would be happy to give voice lessons if I'm in the area. J.G.S.
 * In response to J.G.S: agreed on soundproofing for the FPIRNR. The sound from there is a BIG problem for events being held in the lecture halls. Devin Morse
 * I agree with Devin. In terms of private lessons, even just having more information readily available about how to take lessons off-campus would be a step in the right direction.  I found that very confusing as a first-year student, and it was difficult to get helpful advice.  More practice rooms would also be nice.  And actually having chairs and music stands in each practice room - not everyone is just practicing piano!  Rebecca Thomas, F'07
 * Frankie Patts is a perfect example of a poor implementation of a good idea. Making a music performance space inside what used to be an expensive rear-screen projection room adjacent to Main Lecture Hall was nuts. Needing more spaces for students both in and out of the music program is real. We see again and again in this document worthy requests for more space, any space, but the reality is that we have to get in a line and figure out in a rational way of deciding who’s first, make a commitment and go forward. John Gunther
 * I agree this statement represents only one need for the music program and needs to be more comprehensive. I have learned from music students and faculty that an unusually high proportion of students are also musicians, even if they are not music concentrators, and they need more resources from the music facilities than we have available. there is a lot of frustration about this, and the sense that Hampshire does not support music for all students. Music could certainly be a more vital and central aspect of campus life. We especially need more space for practice and performance. How about a "music barn"? This would be a stand alone building, of simple construction (ie: a wooden "barn"), where students could practice and perform without disturbing offices and dorms, and would be relatively inexpensive if kept basic. I saw this at Connecticut College--basically a wooden barn on stilts-- and was told it was built for under $500,000. Cheri Butler, Institutional Advancement
 * If we could do what Cheri describes above, for that amount of money, we should definitely do that, and have that provide studio and practice space. Otherwise, who are we kidding ourselves with this long laundry list of new physical spaces we want to magically build in the next 3-5 years? We don't have the money! Our strategic plan should actually be achievable. - Ananda Valenzuela