A State of Florida allocation of $11.6 million funded this extraordinarily beautiful and highly functional facility for the Bower School of Music.
Florida Gulf Coast University Bower School of Music honored Alan and Marilyn Korest,
for their support in establishing the Bower School of Music, with a groundbreaking
ceremony for the Music Education and Performance Building on Wednesday, Sept. 16,
2009.
The building serves music students, faculty, the campus, and the community. At the dedication ceremony, FGCU President Wilson G. Bradshaw concurred, "Through music instruction, performance, community service and outreach, the Bower School of Music enhances the cultural offerings and improves the quality of life for all who live, work and play in this region."
The new 23,000 square-foot, two-story, building is already a destination site for the greater community. Overlooking a scenic lake and wetlands on the main campus of the University, the building is one in a series of structures within a developing pedestrian corridor for the arts. This corridor will eventually include an art gallery, theatre, and other arts facilities to come.
The Bower School of Music’s new building is an innovative blend of art, design and
function. A comfortable, attractive grand lobby welcomes students and visitors. The focal point
in the lobby is a prominent commemorative wall of honor designed and engraved by Sanibel
artisan Lucas Century and featuring Mr. Century’s eloquent porcelain tile, full-wall
mural, “Water Symphony”.
The 3,260-square-foot, 196-seat U. Tobe Recital Hall features superb acoustics, a generous stage, good sightlines, and plush seating with ample personal space. Next to the Recital Hall is the equally impressive Marilyn Bower Korest Rehearsal Hall. This versatile 3,000 square-foot hall with state-of-the art acoustical treatment is ideally suited for band, orchestra, and choral practices. The rehearsal hall is a laboratory for students and visitors to view rehearsals from unique, glass observation decks that allow for observation and discussion without interruption. The Music Building’s performance spaces are served by secured equipment storage areas with direct access to the education wing.
The building also houses faculty studios, student practice rooms, three specialty classrooms, a technology laboratory, a keyboard laboratory, and an ensemble music library. FGCU’s Music Building has been awarded LEED Gold Certification, signifying special attention to energy and environmental design. LEED certification recognizes stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.
This specialty building, designed to accommodate growth both in enrollment and audience,
is a collaborative design by Reynolds, Smith and Hills, Inc. in Fort Myers, Pfeiffer
Partners Architects, Inc. in New York and Los Angeles, Johnson Engineering, OCI Associates,
TKW Structural Engineers, and JaffeHolden. It was constructed by Owen-Ames-Kimball
Company.
FGCU Foundation is offering permanent and prominent recognition within this cultural facility for donors of $1,000 or more. Gifts will benefit the Bower School of Music academic programs. For more information, please contact Katie Schweikhardt, Director of Development, University Advancement at (239) 590-1077.
