In addition to its central role within the liberal arts curriculum, Penn’s Department of Music holds, as part of its core curricular mission, a belief in the abiding value of musical performance for all students. The department sponsors a wide range of professional and student performance activities in a variety of musical traditions that are open to all members of the university community. From inspiring new ways of thinking to providing basic stress relief, the benefits of these performance opportunities are an integral part of students’ Penn experience.
Despite being a center for performance at Penn, the Department of Music is housed in a 19th-century building that cannot adequately support its world-class applied instruction and the needs of student performance groups. Many classrooms and practice and performance spaces are in need of improved equipment, lighting, seating and soundproofing to diminish street noise that often interferes with courses and rehearsals.
To restore this historic landmark to its original splendor and provide a fitting home to this top-ranked department, the School of Arts and Sciences is initiating a $15.3 million project to renovate and expand the Music Building. The new facility will house the research activities of some of today’s leading music scholars, and it will open up opportunities to engage the entire Penn community in the performance and enjoyment of music.
Read more about the Music Building Renovation
