Faculty staff at University of Asheville cleared Lipinsky Hall, leaving students and staff to await new developments to the 1964 establishment.
“This project isn’t just about bricks and mortar. It’s about students—those here now and those who will walk through Lipinsky’s doors in the future. It’s about preserving a space where passion meets purpose, where talent finds voice, and where dreams take the stage,” according to UNC Asheville’s campaign website.
The move includes the transport of instruments and classrooms, According to Michael McNamee, director of engagement, alumni and friends.
“Lipinsky Hall has been several things including the student center and cafeteria. It is currently home to our music department and the exciting thing is that we are moving everything out today to get ready for a complete overhaul, to renovate this building to make it something really special,” said Micheal McNamee, speaking in a video posted by UNCA’s Music Instagram.
Melodie Galloway, UNCA professor of music and director, said the music department was granted funding to support the long-awaited renovation.
“We have waited about forty years – we’ve been wishing and envisioning a renovation of Lipinsky for that long, so we are very excited and grateful that the state legislatures have allocated thirty-eight million or so dollars specifically for renovation,” said Galloway.
Galloway said the facilities team on campus worked tirelessly to make everyone comfortable and welcoming to students.
“The whole department is scattered around all over this campus. Part of that we really love, because musicians love to invade especially quiet spaces,” said Galloway.
Emma Butler, member of UNCA’s Asheville Singers, said her classes are located in the offices of Brown Dining Hall, Rhoades Robinson Hall and Ramsey Library.
“I’m sure it definitely feels weird for a lot of music students, including myself,” Butler said. “I think some people are definitely excited about it, but also some people are leaving before it gets completely renovated. There is some disappointment with that.”
According to Butler, Lipinsky is still open for students to use for practicing and there are some open classrooms. Butler said construction is mainly taking place at the bottom floor of Lipinsky as well as the Auditorium.
“In some ways it could not have happened at a more appropriate time because we have taken the last year to bring our best pedagogical strategies and musical techniques together to redesign our entire musical curriculum,” said Toby King, chair of the music department.
King said although there are difficulties seen with the process of the revamp of Lipinsky, the education provided to students is crafted to challenge and provide well developed music skills.
“If you are a singer, you are now expected to play a little bit of piano, a little bit of percussion and guitar,” said King.
According to Melodie Galloway construction is on a delayed schedule. She said the problem is higher up and construction should begin in January. Galloway said the recording studio has been moved to the basement of Ramsey Library, and is also on a delayed schedule.
”If you can imagine moving a recording studio. Dismantling, moving it, reconstructing it. That probably will not be up and running until October because of the delays,” said Galloway. “They should have already started, and there is some high up delay, I do not know why.”
According to Galloway, the construction will take around two years until completion, but has been long wished for.
“Overall it is really exciting and I am glad that our administrators are so supportive of music on campus. We feel that support, we are told of that support pretty often. The fact that we are going to be in other people’s spaces I think raises awareness of the arts on campus,” said Galloway.
