Anticipated $12-$15 million investment to better prepare students for professional success
Augustana continues to move forward in establishing a “corner for the arts” near Seventh Avenue and 38th Street. With the successful renovation of the College Center into the state-of-the-art Brunner Theatre Center, plans now are being made for the reinvention/expansion of the Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts. The building has served generations of Augustana students since it opened in 1955.
“What we are most looking forward to with the renovations is a building that meets the needs of the 21st-century department of music,” said Dr. James Lambrecht, director of bands and co-chair of the music department. “When Bergendoff was built, the department was much smaller, there was little to no technology in use, and students were preparing for far different careers in music. Today, the landscape has changed, and music education, music performance, composition and other fields of interest must bend to the demands of the modern world.”
Transforming Bergendoff involves several individual projects, including the creation of enhanced rehearsal spaces, a multimedia laboratory with the latest technology, a music education suite, small performance space, student and faculty common areas, a more welcoming front entrance with a student gathering area, and more. This reinvention of Bergendoff aligns with the college’s strategic initiative of facilitating transformative learning though integrated experiences.
“The Bergendoff renovation will benefit students in a number of ways,” said Dr. Jon Hurty, Henry Veld Professor in Music and director of choral activities. About one-fourth of all Augustana students are involved in bands, choirs, orchestras, music lessons and classes each week.
“The renovation includes enhanced rehearsal spaces for the ensembles so that our students will have access to the latest rehearsal acoustic rehearsal technologies,” Dr. Hurty said. “We are planning to implement high-tech acoustic environments that allow students to experience various acoustical spaces within one rehearsal room. This is new technology that is based on digital sound processing within the rehearsal space.”
The new multimedia laboratory will include the latest music computer software and hardware and allow students to compose music, practice the keyboard—an essential tool for all young musicians, make recordings of individuals and chamber ensembles, work on music theory projects, and experiment with other new sound technologies.
According to Dr. Hurty, the music education suite will impact music education students’ ability to study and implement active learning and creativity in the classroom. These pedagogical techniques are critical to their success in teaching and also make them even more competitive in securing excellent teaching positions in public and private schools.
Faculty describe the small performance space that is planned as an excellent acoustical environment for all kinds of student, faculty and guest artist recitals as well as chamber music concerts and rehearsals.
“The design of this small performance hall, as well as its location in the heart of Bergendoff, will provide the students with a unique and acoustically beautiful space
to perform and listen during their time at Augustana,” Dr. Hurty said.
Those interested in supporting this project may contact Kent Barnds, executive vice president for external relations, at 309-794-7662, 800-798-8100 x7662 or wkentbarnds@augustana.edu.