News
College of Music Performance Venues Transformed
Living up to the talent they stage, these two new venues will inspire patrons and performers alike. The recently remodeled Byron and Dolores Cook Recital Hall and the August 2013 renovation of Fairchild Theatre are a proud reflection of everything the college offers.
Cook Recital Hall (formerly Music Building Auditorium)
This newly transformed venue, the heart of performance life in the College of Music, is used for student rehearsals, recitals, faculty concerts, and master classes by visiting guest artists. The completely transformed, intimate and historic 1940s venue now meets contemporary performance standards. The extensive renovation includes new seating, acoustical treatments, the installation of air conditioning and improved heating and ventilation systems, state-of-the-art audio/visual capabilities, new lighting, and warm wood finishes throughout.
The Byron and Dolores Cook Recital Hall is named in honor of the Cooks, longtime friends and supporters of MSU and the College of Music. “It’s an enormous step for the college,” says Dolores (Dee) Cook, “and Byron and I are just thrilled to be a part of that step. I just invite everybody to come and share the joy of the performances and share the beauty of this brand new facility. Through their extraordinary performances, the students and faculty provide a window to the quality of the whole university.”
The College of Music has established the “Take a Seat” fundraising campaign, a unique opportunity for friends and patrons to express their support. For more information, please click here or contact the college's development office at (517) 353-9872.
Photos of dedication concert, held October 12, 2012.
October 2013 Fairchild Theatre
The Fairchild Theatre renovation project will convert this 75-year-old proscenium-stage facility into a state-of-the-art venue. Since the theatre will be used primarily by the College of Music, hundreds of hours of work by faculty and staff produced a comprehensive plan to best utilize the venue. The renovation is under way and set to finish in October 2013. When the theatre reopens, it will host some College of Music courses, rehearsals, master classes, and performances, including the Joanne and Bill Church West Circle Series and MSU Opera Theatre productions.
Highlights of the renovation include acoustical treatments of ceiling clouds, a new adjustable acoustic shell and sound-absorbing banners; the restoration of the original height of the auditorium ceiling; the extension of the stage by about nine feet into the auditorium; the installation of a new hydraulic orchestra pit seating up to 55 musicians; full-featured AV/sound reinforcement systems; wiring for video and webcasting; three additional rehearsal spaces; a new Steinway D grand piano; and a recording/video control room. Additional amenities for patrons include: comfort-patron seating for 500, additional restrooms, and improved accessibility for persons with disabilities.
Left: the view from the stage of the renovated Fairchild Theatre, with raised orchestra pit. RIght: the view from the house of the renovated Fairchild Theatre.
