On the last weekend in April and during Alumni Weekend, an estimated 300 alumni, guests, and students climbed the steps to tour the renovation-in-progress at the Armerding Center. Dean of the Conservatory, Arts, and Communication Michael Wilder greeted guests at the temporary entrance to the building while classical music played in the background. 

Before entering, guests donned safety gear while Dr. Wilder revealed the vision for converting the Armerding Center into the state-of-the-art Armerding Center for Music and the Arts.

Once inside, guests were led in groups headed by tour guides: College Architect Bruce Koenigsberg, Interior Designer Whitley Grey, Project Architect Andrea Petti, Director of Construction Services Randy Norbeck ’87, and Project Manager Scott Scheidt. Tours began at the top of the three-story building with views of future spaces for private studios, practice rooms, chamber rehearsal, and recording studios. 

On the second floor, tour guides pointed out the roughed-in area for faculty offices, ensemble practice rooms, classrooms, and the student lounge. The final stop on the main level included the Conservatory of Music office suite, a large hospitality area, and the transformation taking place in the recital hall.

“Overall, there was a lot of excitement particularly among Conservatory of Music students and alumni,” says Scott Scheidt. “There was a general feeling of excitement that this day has finally come.”

The Armerding Center renewal is made possible by the many generous donors to From the Heart, For the Kingdom who support the new vision for music making on campus. Finishing the renovations to the Armerding Center completes the first half of what will become the Armerding Center for Music and the Arts. 

Funding is still underway to build the new home for the concert hall, choral rehearsal room, large lobby for welcoming guests, and the bridge connecting the old building to the new.