Many within the music department are concerned about the direction of the Talley Student Center renovations since rumors have arisen that the proposed concert hall won’t be included in the project.

According to a mass e-mail from Director of Music Mark Scearce, the hall will be removed from the Talley plans.

“A new 500-seat concert hall specified for music performances as a priority was a part of the plans [Rally 4 Talley]. However, the chancellor has instructed that the cost must be trimmed by $30 million and, inevitably, the concert hall has been slated for removal from these plans as an option to save money,” Scearce said in the e-mail.

Music department faculty and students are unhappy with the new change in plans because they say the facilities are in dire need of replacement so the performers have an area to practice and perform.

“Athletes have the gym and workout facilities, scientists and researchers have labs and tools, we need a department for our needs. This is not a want, its a necessity,” Keeshan Ganatra, a member of the marching band and wind ensemble, said.

Vince Waters, a music minor and member of the marching band and wind ensemble, said the change in plans didn’t make sense as the department was growing.  

“Slating the performing arts hall for removal is unacceptable. We have a rapidly expanding music department that doesn’t even have facilities that are suitable for normal, everyday use. Our marching band just does not fit into that building,” Waters said. “Having an outdated building to use is one thing, but not having the proper facilities is another entity. It’s not just a concert hall, it’s a center for the performing arts. There are many music groups that need that building to perform. But that theatre is used more than just by the music building.Where do we expect our theatre department or arts now to go?”

Scearce encouraged advocacy for peaceful protests in his e-mail.  

“Now is not the time to get angry about this, but to respectfully make your voice heard that the Talley-planned concert hall with priority for music rehearsals and performances is important to you.  This is a first important step in helping us with at least a performance facility while we make the further case for a visual and performing arts center, years away though it is, while this Talley project is on our doorstep,” Scearce said.

Waters argues that new facilities are a necessity and should be a priority.

“The simple solution is that we have a music program, and we need somewhere to perform. Whether we get a concert hall in Talley or they build us a new building is up to them, but we need a space for the performing arts,” Waters said.