Music Building Campaign and Rededication

In November 2006, passage of the G.O. Bond B made music to the ears of fine arts supporters, students and faculty at Eastern New Mexico University. The bond issue, worth $118 million to higher education statewide, contained $4.5 million to renovate and expand Eastern’s Music Building.

Gifts and pledges to the “Sound Investment” capital campaign exceeded $200,000 and passed the quarter-million mark including a $65,000 grant from the Kresge Foundation that was awarded during the summer of 2008. In addition, New Mexico voters supported Bond D in the 2008 November general election which brought $140 million to higher education projects across New Mexico. Of the $12 million received by ENMU, $1 million was used to complete the renovation of the Music Building.

The Music Building, one of the oldest structures on campus, opened in 1957 at a cost of $500,000—over budget from $379,000. The renovation includes a substantial addition and provides state-of-the-art facilities for music study, public school teacher training and public cultural events.

With a revamped theater, energy efficiency, climate control, fire suppression systems and lots more, the Music Building will be opened for use this fall after starting the project a year ago. The project cost $9.5 million and includes the addition of a 4,500-square-foot band rehearsal room.

Recorders, mixers, projectors and touch screens are included in lesson presentation systems. Buchanan Hall Theater has an audio visual system that incorporates sound and video recording options, as well as a retractable projection screen and projection equipment.

In addition, the building has a silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. Room lights turn on automatically when someone enters and also shut themselves off several minutes after movement stops. Rest rooms have automatic sinks and toilets, which are also low-flow.

Workers raised the ceilings and installed windows in a number of offices. They combined some rooms and split others, but left what original walls they could. Also, Buchanan Hall has a dressing room and green room, a new balcony, acoustic panels on the ceiling and new seating. The pipe organ is being rebuilt in Amarillo.

Make plans now to get together with fellow graduates of ENMU during the 2010 Homecoming, It’s a Thriller, September 23-25. A special rededication of the Music Building is only one of many scheduled events.

For more information concerning Homecoming, please contact Janice Cowen, coordinator of alumni affairs, ENMU Station 48, Portales, NM 88130; 575-562-2125; or janice.cowen@ enmu.edu. For more information concerning the Music Building, please contact Dustin Seifert, chair, Music Department/instructor of music/director of bands, ENMU Station 16, Portales, NM 88130; 575-562-2735; or dustin.seifert@enmu.edu.