New Recital Hall for School of Music

New Recital Hall Supports Goal of “Making the Arts and Design Central at Penn State”

Construction noises are increasingly common on the University Park campus, but those emanating from the Arts District will soon lead to something a little more melodious. The School of Music’s new recital hall, in the works since 2011 and under construction for the past year, will open in fall 2018.

“Our new recital hall will serve as a centerpiece of the Arts District, and further support the College of Arts and Architecture’s strategic plan goal of ‘making the arts and design central at Penn State,’” said Barbara O. Korner, dean of the College of Arts and Architecture. “The new facility fulfills a longtime need for additional performance and rehearsal space with optimal acoustics for musicians and audience members alike. The recital hall and renovated Music I will better reflect the quality of the School of Music’s excellent programs, students, and faculty.”

The 425-seat recital hall is located in front of Music Building I and the Theatre Building and connects to Music I via a new lobby. “Vineyard-style” seating surrounds the stage, offering a more intimate performance experience. The facility also includes a large ensemble rehearsal hall, with adjustable acoustics and ample storage, and a green room that can be used for small ensemble rehearsals during the day.

A glass atrium, named the Eleanor Duncan Armstrong Atrium thanks to a gift from longtime School of Music faculty members Dan and Eleanor Armstrong, overlooks the Olsan-Stone Terrace. The terrace was named with a gift from David Pyle Stone (’67 B.S. Chemical Engineering), now deceased, in memory of his parents, Marie and Kemper Stone (see separate stories on the atrium and terrace on page 7).

An aerial photo of the recital hall taken via drone. Photo by Patrick Glynn.

According to Sue Haug, current professor of music and director of the School of Music from 2005 to 2017, the recital hall is “acoustically ideal,” with state-of-the-art technology for recording and live-streaming of concerts and other events, plus theatrical and environmental lighting systems.

“Our design team also helped us realize the vision of a welcoming approach for patrons, to create interest in the musical offerings for the campus pedestrian— but with the key goal of providing acoustically ideal teaching spaces. This includes a remarkable renovation of Esber [former recital hall] into a large ensemble rehearsal hall, worthy of our fantastic students and faculty.”

Other renovations to Music I include updates to patron support spaces, the creation of preparation areas for performers, improved storage facilities, and a new HVAC system.

Russell Bloom, School of Music assistant director of operations and outreach, said the new recital hall will meet the needs of both musicians and audiences. “I have had the privilege to hear literally hundreds of performances by our students in Esber Recital Hall. I saw how hard performers had to work to overcome the inadequacies of the hall, and it made me sad knowing that the old facility provided a huge handicap in terms of quality of what audiences heard,” said Bloom. “I am anxious to witness the expression of every musician performing on that new stage for the first time, knowing that they have a new collaborator supporting their music-making. As for our audiences, I am eager for them to properly experience the music in a beautiful venue without the added hum of the lights or percussion of rattling fans!”

David Frego, director of the School of Music, said the school and the College of Arts and Architecture are fortunate to have such widespread support from alumni, friends, and patrons.

“We are grateful that so many have dedicated seats in the new space,” he said. “Proceeds will help to maintain our state-of-the-art equipment and support our talented students with scholarships.”

The new hall is projected to open to the public in October, with celebrations throughout the inaugural season. To stay up-to-date on the nearly 400 performances offered each year by the School of Music, subscribe to the school’s weekly email at music.psu. edu/events. For more information on how you can support the School of Music, visit music.psu.edu/giving or call the College of Arts and Architecture Development Office at 814-863-2142. —AMM

Olsan-Stone Terrace

Longtime School of Music donor David Pyle Stone, who died suddenly in a car accident in January 2018, made a gift in 2017 to name the terrace in front of the school’s new recital hall in memory of his parents. The Olsan-Stone Terrace honors both David’s love for music and for his mother and father, Marie and Kemper Stone.

Stone graduated from Penn State in 1967 with a degree in chemical engineering before going on to receive his law degree from Seton Hall University. However, he always said that it was music that shaped his Penn State experience. He attended numerous student and professional performances in Schwab Auditorium throughout his undergraduate studies.

After beginning his career at Exxon Corporation, Stone went on to work for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, retiring in 2004 as chief, Air Brach Office of Regional Counsel, Region 2. Throughout his life and career, Stone maintained a strong commitment to Penn State and a desire to leave a positive impact through philanthropy.

Among other gifts, he established the Laura Belle Pyle Trustee Scholarship in the College of Arts and Architecture, the David Pyle Stone Music Recital Endowment, and the David Pyle Stone Trustee Scholarship.

Don Lenze, director of development for the College of Arts and Architecture, was fortunate enough to establish a close relationship with Stone over the years. “David took so much pride in anywhere the University presented itself musically, with his deepest affection being for the School of Music. David’s philanthropy and desire to advance the vision of the school has ensured that the music recital hall will be a place of excellence for years to come.”

A dedication for the Olsan-Stone Terrace will be held this fall. –BAR

Eleanor Duncan Armstrong Atrium

Visitors to the new music recital hall will enter through the main doors and be welcomed into the Eleanor Duncan Armstrong Atrium, where they will have the opportunity to mingle with both guests and musicians before performances.

Because construction costs for the new recital hall are covered by the University’s capital budget, gifts made to name various spaces and rooms associated with the hall will help fund the School of Music’s strategic plan. The Armstrongs’ gift to name the atrium provides funding to advance the School of Music in three vital areas: scholarship support, academic program support, and discretionary funds to advance the vision of the director of the School of Music, currently David Frego.

“It is our hope that this investment will inspire others and help the School of Music to grow into its full, significant potential,” said longtime School of Music faculty members Eleanor and Dan Armstrong. “We know that, with proper support, the school can become an even stronger asset to the University as well as the entire community of State College.”

Professor Emerita Eleanor Duncan Armstrong instructed the flute studio from 1983 to 2012. As an orchestral and chamber music flutist, she has performed across the United States and Europe, receiving national recognition. She holds degrees from Oklahoma City University, the Juilliard School, and the University of Michigan.

Professor Dan C. Armstrong, who surprised his wife by suggesting that the atrium be named in her honor, has served as director of percussion studies since 1982 and also directs the Penn State Percussion and Mallet Ensembles. Holding degrees from the University of North Texas and the University of Michigan, he is a renowned orchestral and jazz performer and a longserving member of the Percussive Arts Society.

The couple, who concertized, commissioned, and recorded together as the Armstrong Flute and Percussion Duo, have served Penn State as devoted faculty for a combined sixty-five years.

“Many of our favorite memories come from mutual collaborations with our colleagues, who are exceptionally gifted and supportive,” said the couple. “But in the long run, we hope we will be remembered most for what our students accomplished here and beyond.” –BAR

It's not too late to dedicate a seat in the new recital hall. Visit music.psu.edu/recitalhall for details.