“Music is an important part of both our human and our university experiences, and the new center will be like everything Texas A&M does—first class,” he said. Rhea and the six other directors in the Department of Music Activities work to give students opportunities to experience music-making in a sophisticated environment, where skills like teamwork, dedication and accountability are stressed.
In addition to providing a centralized rehearsal space for Texas A&M’s more than 1,300 student musicians, the new center will be a safer place for students, faculty and their instruments. The most concerning deficiency with the E.V. Adams Band Hall, built in 1970, was its noncompliance with disability and fire safety standards.
The new facility will also feature four rehearsal halls with state-of-the-art acoustics and adequate space so that multiple groups can rehearse at once, eliminating scheduling conflicts. Forty soundproof practice rooms, available with after-hours keycard access, will further ensure that students can practice on their own schedule.
Addressing clutter and security issues, the new climate-controlled facility will also contain ample storage for sheet music libraries and instruments, which students will store in individually coded lockers. An instrument repair room is also included. Finally, a 100-yard artificial turf practice field for the Aggie Band will eliminate uneven and unsafe rehearsal conditions.
As a physical testament to the value of an arts education, the Music Activities Center will be a powerful symbol of the university’s musical heritage and will set the tone for the future of the arts program at Texas A&M.
Leave a Musical Legacy
While the Aggie spirit can never be told, it can be heard—through music. If this cause resonates with you, consider giving to the John D. White ’70 – Robert L. Walker ’58 Music Activities Center. Gifts will be recognized in an architectural display reflective of each donor’s commitment to Aggieland. Your support will strengthen the arts core at Texas A&M and ensure a strong Aggie voice for decades to come.
