School of Music re-opens after £2M Refurbishment

Bangor University’s School of Music celebrated the opening of its refurbished facilities with a ceremony for staff and students.

The ceremony celebrated the completion of the £2million renovation of the building, creating facilities befitting one of the 5 best music departments in the UK as voted by students in the 2016 National Student Survey. 

Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Chancellor of the University, officially opened the building. Staff, students and friends of the School enjoyed performances by the University’s Brass Band as well as having the opportunity to listen in on various musical rehearsals during the afternoon.

The revamp included a comprehensive refurbishment of the building and complete renewal of the mechanical and electrical services installations.

Accessibility has been addressed by the installation of a passenger lift, constructing a ramp to provide level access to the building via a new extension, and re-arranging the central area of the ground floor to improve circulation. The revamped building also boasts new acoustic practise rooms and a new terrace and seating area outside.

Professor Chris Collins, Head of the School of Music, said: “The transformation of our much-loved building is breath-taking. A stylish new foyer now leads directly into the beautifully restored Mathias Hall, which has been acoustically treated. The building as a whole is lighter, warmer, and really conducive to study. Along with the Gartherwen practice suite, Pontio, and our fabulous concert halls in the Main University Building, these facilities make Bangor an ideal environment to study music. The students will love it, and I can't wait to see them making full use of it.”

Professor John G Hughes, President and Vice-Chancellor, said: “With music achieving a 100% satisfaction rate, placing them at the top of their subject table in the UK in the 2016 National Student Survey, this refurbishment will continue to provide excellent teaching, learning and research facilities for many years to come.”

Click here to view the video of the opening. 

Publication date: 19 September 2016