Sound Investment Music Campaign

Gifts and pledges to the “Sound Investment” capital campaign have now well exceeded $200,000 and have passed the quarter-million mark if we include a $65,000 grant from the Kresge Foundation that was awarded during the summer. We are deeply grateful to the individuals, organizations and to the Kresge Foundation for support that continues to enhance the possibilities of the Music Building project.

Last year the Alumni Band assembled for a wonderful reunion and concert on the ENMU campus, and under the enthusiastic leadership of Van Ragsdale, quickly exceeded a goal of $50,000 in gifts and pledges to the Music Building “Sound Investment” capital campaign to designate the new band room in honor of the late ENMU bandmaster, Floren Thompson Jr.

We are pleased to announce that the choir alumni, under the leadership of Thomas Poole, have undertaken a similar effort to raise $50,000 and name the new choral rehearsal space in honor of former director of Choral Activities George Umberson. It is fitting that in the renovation plans, the “new” choral space is in fact space that once was used by the choirs, so we come full circle not only in returning to the room’s original uses but also in naming it for one of ENMU’s distinguished leaders in vocal and choral music.

Dean Michael Sitton, College of Fine Arts, reports asbestos abatement in the Music Building is complete, and construction will soon be in full swing. The complete renovation and addition of the new band rehearsal room is expected to take just over a year. Most music faculty, the department office and some practice rooms have been moved to Chaves Hall. Additional faculty offices, the choral rehearsal area and music classes are housed in the College of Business. Band and percussion rehearsal areas, as well as the college offices, have been relocated to the old KENW Broadcast Center.

The goal will be to raise $50,000 in gifts and pledges by the end of 2009. As with other pledges to the “Sound Investment” campaign, payments may be extended up to two years, and the ENMU Foundation will discuss other arrangements that would accommodate giving plans. For more information on giving for these campaigns, please call the ENMU Foundation office at 575-562-2412 or toll-free at 888-291-5524.

The College of Fine Arts office will also be glad to take calls about these initiatives at 575-562-2373.

For more information on how to contribute and/ or volunteer your time and talents for ENMU, please contact Noelle Bartl, executive director of the ENMU Foundation at 575-562-2412, toll free at 888-291-5524 or e-mail noelle.bartl@enmu.edu. Online giving is available at enmu.edu/giving.