Studio for the Performing Arts

EDUCATE INSPIRE GIVE

Studio for the Performing Arts to Offer Students and Community Greater Access to Intimate Performances and Acoustic Perfection

SCF’s Studio for the Performing Arts is designed to be an inviting space for students and the community. The nearly 5,000-square-foot recital hall will include a grand piano, performance lighting, a cutting-edge projector and sound system with recording capability. It will seat 150 visitors for concerts and shows. The room will be used as the primary rehearsal space for music, theatre, choral and vocal classes. It also will be ideal for SCF’s master classes, featuring visiting artists, and recitals.

A dance studio will offer opportunities for students to study movement and staging. The nearly 1,100-square-foot-studio includes barres, mirrored walls with retractable curtains, moveable seating and a floor designed specifically for dance. The facility will include space to store costumes and sets vital to programs and performances at SCF, 1,620-square-feet of practice studios and a 540-square-foot music library for the College’s instrumental studies program. An instrument storage room will allow SCF to provide professional instruments to students who might not otherwise be able to afford them, offering SCF’s music program a recruiting advantage and students an opportunity to perform at their next level. Acoustically correct practice studios, which will allow for oneon-one tutoring as well as individual practice time, are essential for students to meet their coursework requirements. Plans include a total of 10 practice studios. The building where music students currently practice is more than 50 years old. The older facility was originally designed for classrooms only, offers minimal functionality and has poor acoustics. In 2010 the Department of Education performed a facilities study, and based on the results, determined it was not suitable for college music program needs. The College received state approval for replacement, but without funding. SCF’s music program historically has strong ties to the community, and this studio will continue to build on that relationship. Music students venture out into the community where they perform for civic groups, nonprofits and professional organizations. SCF’s Bradenton Symphony Orchestra, for example, includes locally renowned musicians, who offer their experience to students while sharing their talents with the community.

The Studio for the Performing Arts is being developed to support the growth of music, art and theatrical programs, and to provide an outreach to populations with limited access to such amenities.

The SCF Foundation has raised nearly half the funding to build this premier community resource, and you can still be a part of this venture. Contributions of all amounts are welcome and appreciated, and everyone has a place they can participate. Gifts of $10,000+ will be matched 1:1 up to $560,000 by SCFF Directors and SCF Trustees. For more information, visit SCF-Foundation.org. To discuss naming rights or ways to become a benefactor, contact Barbara Bourgoin at BourgoB@SCF.edu or 941-752-5398.

The new $3.75 million studio will offer intimate performances and deeper learning experiences in practice studios ”and recital areas with ideal acoustics.