Studio for the Performing Arts

Fine and performing arts are a hallmark of the full college experience available at SCF. The College offers the region’s only higher education music program. With the opening of the new Studio for the Performing Arts during the Spring 2021 term, students now have a premier facility to study, rehearse and perform. The $7 million, 15,000-square-foot studio includes a 150-seat recital hall, choir rehearsal room, percussion rehearsal suite, music library, practice rooms, faculty offices and rooms for instrument and music storage.

The studio connects to the SCF Neel Performing Arts Center. A new gathering space, the Madam Presidents’ Courtyard, a homage to SCF’s fourth and sixth presidents, Dr. Sarah H. Pappas and Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld, is situated between the two buildings.

“Students who have come into this new space drop their jaws and grin ear to ear, instantly imagining themselves rehearsing, practicing, learning and performing here,” said Dr. Robyn L. Bell, SCF’s music program manager.

Before the new Studio, many music classes were held in a classroom building with poor acoustics and a lack of climate-controlled instrument storage. The former building was torn down in 2019 to make way for the new construction. The completion of the Studio is even more impressive when considering its construction coincided with two other major capital projects at SCF Bradenton, the 26 West Center and the expansion of the science complex.

The momentous and long-awaited opening of the Studio represents a commitment to the arts at SCF. That commitment would not have been possible without the largest capital fundraising effort ever carried out by the SCF Foundation, which generated more than $4 million for the project. The successful capital campaign bolsters important academic programs while establishing a facility that will impact the campus for decades.

“The construction of our beautiful new Studio for the Performing Arts would not have been possible without the steadfast support of our community, District Board of Trustees and SCF Foundation Board of Directors,” said Dr. Probstfeld. “I am excited for our music and theatre programs and look forward to a wonderful roster of future performances.”

The community will have ample opportunity to see and use the new studio as well. SCF has expanded its non-credit music and theatre offerings to enhance opportunities for students, local musicians and lifelong learners alike to take individual lessons or join performing ensembles. Performing arts organizations from around the region will also have new opportunities to bring performances to SCF Bradenton thanks to the addition of the recital hall.

Together with the SCF Neel Performing Arts Center, Howard Studio Theatre and the Gallery at SCF, the Studio forms a performing arts complex that surpasses what many colleges and universities have available for their students and community. To see the extensive performances planned for the 2021-22 season and order tickets, visit SCF.edu/Neel. For more information about SCF’s music program or to subscribe to the email list for upcoming events, visit 24 SCF-Foundation.org SCFMusic.info.

Studio for the Performing Arts Opens to Sweet Music