Memphis has long been recognized as the home to the blues and the birthplace of rock and roll. In keeping with this tradition, the University of Memphis is working to open a new music center on campus.
“The new music center will add to the cultural vitality of the Memphis community, and we greatly look forward to exploring ways that the Memphis Symphony may be a participant,” Roland Valliere, president and CEO of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, said.
The new music center will offer students more stage spaces, seating and acoustically appropriate areas. With all these additions, students will be able to perform, practice and perfect the fine arts that they are studying. Furthermore, the center will have a performance hall seating up to 1200 and an open stage with many technological upgrades.
According to the music center’s website, it will also give students an opportunity to continue to build upon relationships with other art programs in the city or to host their performances on the University of Memphis’ campus.
“I think this will be a great addition to campus,” Sandra Russel, a nursing major and avid theatre and music lover, said. “We already have the Rose Theatre and other locations on campus to see plays and music performances, but a fresh and new place for students to use would be awesome.”
Not only would plays and other performing arts be presented, but also operas and musicals would be welcomed with open arms.
“This new venue will open up significant new opportunities for collaborating and performing, not only for Opera Memphis but also for a full spectrum of other arts organizations,” Ned Canty general director of Opera Memphis, said.
“I believe that bringing students together is what’s most important,” Christine Hill, a student at Southwest Community College, said. “I may go to Southwest, but I sometimes go to Memphis’ campus and see some of their student shows, while also giving me an outlet to perform with my friends.”
According to the music center’s website, the center will give students and fans of every musical genre from all over the region a place to come together for the enjoyment of music. The center will allow much larger productions to come to campus.
“I really hope that big performances can end up coming to this center,” Peter Morris, an aspiring theatre performer said. “One can really hope productions like The Book of Mormon would end up coming to this new center.”
For those looking to donate to the center’s campaign, visit www.memphis.edu/musiccenter.
