“Massachusetts Institute of Technology has received what it characterizes as a ‘cornerstone gift’ to build a new state-of-the-art music facility,” reports Susan Elliott in Wednesday’s (11/28) Musical America (subscription required). “Its centerpiece is to be a ‘purpose-built performance lab’ for experimental and unusual projects, with flexible seating. Also planned for the venue are the campus’ first professional recording studio, rehearsal and practice rooms, and a ‘music technology suite’ inclusive of a classroom and labs for research and production. MIT’s Gamelan Galak Tika will get a dedicated rehearsal space, as will the school’s Senegalese drumming ensemble.… The gift comes from Joyce Linde, widow of Edward Linde, co-founder of Boston Properties. Ms. Linde is on the board of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, among other of the city’s cultural groups.… ‘The building’s central location on campus reflects the core place that music studies and performance have in the lives of MIT students,’ said Keeril Makan, composition professor and section head of MIT Music and Theater Arts. Typically the school has about 1,500 students enrolled in music courses, which span performance, composition, history, culture, and theory. Music is one of MIT’s most popular minors.”
Posted November 29, 2018
