PATRICK G. AND SHIRLEY W. RYAN CENTER FOR THE MUSICAL ARTS
For almost four decades
the Bienen School of Music was a divided community. The
school administration and some programs remained in the venerable Music Administration Building, with other programs headquartered across campus at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall and Regenstein Hall of Music. Despite this logistical impediment to interaction among the school’s constituencies, the Bienen School has flourished as one of the nation’s leading music institutions. But bridging this geographical divide was an ongoing challenge, limiting the school’s ability to forge a unified identity. Twice before in the 120-year history of Northwestern’s music school, an impressive new building seemed within reach. Hampered by inadequate facilities since its inception, the school has long
adjacent Regenstein Hall two years later. But without sufficient funding, additional construction was put on indefinite hold. In 2008 Northwestern announced plans for a new lakefront building to reunite the music campus. Fortunately, history did not repeat itself; the third time was the charm, and the dream has finally become a spectacular reality. The school’s state-of-the-art building does much more than replace long-outdated facilities. It effects a true cultural change for the school, helping create a greater sense of collaboration among its disparate programs. Without the obstacles of a divided campus, and with a facility matching its stellar reputation, the Bienen School of Music is poised for even greater achievements in the years ahead.
needed a home commensurate with its quality and reputation. Hopes for that new home ran high in 1930 with plans for Presser Hall, a city-block-long music complex, and again in 1970 with designs for a music complex on the lakefill. Both times, financial constraints prevented the dream from becoming a reality.
Toni-Marie Montgomery Dean, Bienen School of Music
Presser Hall was ultimately scaled back to Lutkin Hall, a small auditorium that opened in 1941. The 1970s fallback plan was to construct a large performance venue in hopes that eventually the entire lakefront complex could be completed. The result was the opening of Pick-Staiger in 1975 and the
RYAN CENTER FOR THE MUSICAL ARTS | 70 ARTS CIRCLE DRIVE | EVANSTON, ILLINOIS 60208-2405 | MUSIC.NORTHWESTERN.EDU
For almost four decades
the Bienen School of Music was a divided community. The
school administration and some programs remained in the venerable Music Administration Building, with other programs headquartered across campus at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall and Regenstein Hall of Music. Despite this logistical impediment to interaction among the school’s constituencies, the Bienen School has flourished as one of the nation’s leading music institutions. But bridging this geographical divide was an ongoing challenge, limiting the school’s ability to forge a unified identity. Twice before in the 120-year history of Northwestern’s music school, an impressive new building seemed within reach. Hampered by inadequate facilities since its inception, the school has long
adjacent Regenstein Hall two years later. But without sufficient funding, additional construction was put on indefinite hold. In 2008 Northwestern announced plans for a new lakefront building to reunite the music campus. Fortunately, history did not repeat itself; the third time was the charm, and the dream has finally become a spectacular reality. The school’s state-of-the-art building does much more than replace long-outdated facilities. It effects a true cultural change for the school, helping create a greater sense of collaboration among its disparate programs. Without the obstacles of a divided campus, and with a facility matching its stellar reputation, the Bienen School of Music is poised for even greater achievements in the years ahead.
needed a home commensurate with its quality and reputation. Hopes for that new home ran high in 1930 with plans for Presser Hall, a city-block-long music complex, and again in 1970 with designs for a music complex on the lakefill. Both times, financial constraints prevented the dream from becoming a reality.
Toni-Marie Montgomery Dean, Bienen School of Music
Presser Hall was ultimately scaled back to Lutkin Hall, a small auditorium that opened in 1941. The 1970s fallback plan was to construct a large performance venue in hopes that eventually the entire lakefront complex could be completed. The result was the opening of Pick-Staiger in 1975 and the
RYAN CENTER FOR THE MUSICAL ARTS | 70 ARTS CIRCLE DRIVE | EVANSTON, ILLINOIS 60208-2405 | MUSIC.NORTHWESTERN.EDU
The building’s primarily glass exterior takes maximum advantage of the lakefront location, yielding stunning views from the moment FRONT ENTR ANCE WITH CHICAGO SK YLINE IN THE DISTANCE
guests enter Carol F. Rice Lobby.
CAROL F. RICE LOBBY
The building’s primarily glass exterior takes maximum advantage of the lakefront location, yielding stunning views from the moment FRONT ENTR ANCE WITH CHICAGO SK YLINE IN THE DISTANCE
guests enter Carol F. Rice Lobby.
CAROL F. RICE LOBBY
Classrooms line the first floor hallway leading to David and Carol McClintock Choral and Recital Room, a 120-seat rehearsal and performance space.
DAVID AND CAROL McCLINTOCK CHOR AL AND RECITAL ROOM
Classrooms line the first floor hallway leading to David and Carol McClintock Choral and Recital Room, a 120-seat rehearsal and performance space.
DAVID AND CAROL McCLINTOCK CHOR AL AND RECITAL ROOM
Shirley Welsh Ryan Opera Theater features 150 retractable seats, providing a flexible space for opera rehearsals, one-act operas, and SHIRLE Y WELSH RYAN OPER A THE ATER
other small-scale performances.
SHIRLE Y WELSH RYAN OPER A THE ATER
Shirley Welsh Ryan Opera Theater features 150 retractable seats, providing a flexible space for opera rehearsals, one-act operas, and SHIRLE Y WELSH RYAN OPER A THE ATER
other small-scale performances.
SHIRLE Y WELSH RYAN OPER A THE ATER
MARY B. GALVIN RECITAL HALL
MARY B. GALVIN RECITAL HALL
African moabi wood veneer covers the walls and ceiling of the 400-seat Mary B. Galvin Recital Hall, which offers audience members a clear MARY B. GALVIN RECITAL HALL , VIEW FROM THE STAGE
view of the Chicago skyline.
MARY B. GALVIN RECITAL HALL , WALL DE TAIL
African moabi wood veneer covers the walls and ceiling of the 400-seat Mary B. Galvin Recital Hall, which offers audience members a clear MARY B. GALVIN RECITAL HALL , VIEW FROM THE STAGE
view of the Chicago skyline.
MARY B. GALVIN RECITAL HALL , WALL DE TAIL
Gathering spaces on the building’s first floor include the Jean Gimbel Lane Reception Room and a corridor that connects to JE AN GIMBEL L ANE RECEP TION ROOM
Regenstein Hall of Music.
Gathering spaces on the building’s first floor include the Jean Gimbel Lane Reception Room and a corridor that connects to JE AN GIMBEL L ANE RECEP TION ROOM
Regenstein Hall of Music.
Practice rooms and teaching studios, housed on the second and third floors, offer superior acoustics and scenic views.
Practice rooms and teaching studios, housed on the second and third floors, offer superior acoustics and scenic views.
VIEW OF PATRICK G. AND SHIRLE Y W. RYAN CENTER FOR THE MUSICAL ARTS FROM L AKE MICHIGAN
REGENSTEIN HALL AND PICK-STAIGER CONCERT HALL
VIEW OF PATRICK G. AND SHIRLE Y W. RYAN CENTER FOR THE MUSICAL ARTS FROM L AKE MICHIGAN
REGENSTEIN HALL AND PICK-STAIGER CONCERT HALL
The world-class facility was designed by Chicago-based architectural firm Goettsch Partners. Groundbreaking took place in 2012, and the WEST FAÇADE OF PATRICK G. AND SHIRLE Y W. RYAN CENTER FOR THE MUSICAL ARTS
building opened in 2015.
The world-class facility was designed by Chicago-based architectural firm Goettsch Partners. Groundbreaking took place in 2012, and the WEST FAÇADE OF PATRICK G. AND SHIRLE Y W. RYAN CENTER FOR THE MUSICAL ARTS
building opened in 2015.
BUILDING DEDICATED ON SEP TEMBER 24, 2015