As music education senior Kim Wren stared out at an audience composed of many MSU Board of Trustees members Friday night, she reminded herself of something that helped calm her nerves: she was about to be one of the first students to perform in one of the premier performance halls in the state.
Wren, who is a member of MSU’s Women’s Chamber Ensemble, was one of a select few students chosen to perform at the gala concert sponsored by the university Friday evening in the newly named Byron and Dolores Cook Recital Hall. The concert was hosted to recognize and celebrate the contributions of lead donors Byron and Dolores Cook and many others who helped fund the $5 million renovation project to the former Music Building Auditorium.
Dolores Cook, who served as MSU Trustee for 16 years and is a current member of the College of Music National Leadership Council, said in a press release last week that the renovations stand as an enormous step for the college.
The venue has been an integral part to the College of Music for more than 70 years and has been the spot of many student performances in that time. Since April, the concert hall had been closed to complete a number of upgrades, including new seats, acoustical treatments, the installation of air conditioning and a new wood finish added throughout the room.
Although students were unable use the space during the renovations, according to music performance freshman Michelle Cho, who also performed Friday with a cello choir, the capabilities presented from the space are endless.
“It’s probably one of the nicest halls I have ever performed in,” she said. “When we first started playing, there was a lot of ringing you could hear, but all they had to do was adjust the curtains and a few things and it sounded much better.”
In addition to recognizing the contributions of various supporters, sponsors also were informed about the Take a Seat campaign, where seats can be purchased and dedicated throughout the concert hall, said College of Music Communications Manager Kathleen Adams in an email.
Although the renovations will impact students, according to Wren, the improved Byron and Dolores Cook Recital Hall also is something the university can be proud of for years to come.
“It’s going to take performances to the next level,” she said. “It’s going to be great to finally have a space that matches the talent of the music school.”
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