A New Tune Begins: Music Building Rededicated During Reunion Weekend

During a ceremony full of student performances, spirited Fox/Hound cheers, and remarks about its past and future, the newly renovated Music Building was rededicated on Friday, April 22, as part of the first phase of the newly launched “Building for Our Future” campaign.

The ceremony took place at the “Welcome Home” event during Reunion Weekend when close to 200 alumnae, faculty, staff, trustees, and friends gathered under a reception tent just outside the Music Building. Student performances by Chorale, accompanied by Music Coordinator Dr. Morgan Brower, opened the program, followed by a mini-Sing Sing (full of Fox/Hound spirit) led by the Fox and Hound officers. 

Head of School Cathy McGehee then welcomed all in attendance before inviting Board of Trustees Chair Kate Hastings ’78 to the podium to announce the launch of the $65 million “Building for Our Future” campaign, which will raise the funds needed to renovate Schoolhouse and the Music Building and to construct a performing arts center and STEAM wing. “This is where our future lies,” Kate stated. “As you look around, imagine an updated Schoolhouse with rooms and areas that provide the resources, technology, and physical spaces to better reflect our pedagogy and curriculum; a Music Building brought back to its original purpose; a new performing arts center; and a STEAM wing that brings science, technology, engineering, art, and math front and center.”

Campaign co-chairs Kaye Durham ’81 and Elizabeth Lester Piotraschke ’88 gave a brief history of the Music Building, which has served many purposes over the years, and encouraged everyone to view the renderings on display and tour the Music Building and Schoolhouse. Although the rededication of the Music Building signals the completion of its renovation, both co-chairs acknowledged there is still a tremendous amount of work to be done in the campaign. “When we were students, earlier classes of alumnae supported the School to ensure that we could take advantage of all that Foxcroft had to offer,” said Kaye. “Now, it is our turn to be the shoulders upon which future generations of students will stand.”

And then the moment all had been waiting for arrived! Cathy and Kate, accompanied by Kaye and Elizabeth, trustees Elizabeth Hazard ’82 and David Lee P’19, Chief Operating Officer Deborah Anderson, and Fine Arts teachers Dr. Brower and Karin Thorndike, jointly cut the green ribbon across the Music Building’s entrance, officially rededicating the building to much applause and enthusiasm from the crowd. Alumnae strolled through the building, admiring the spacious recital hall with floor-to-ceiling acoustic drapes and peeking into the three practice rooms, all soundproofed to support a growing music program. The Music Building — also known as Small Schoolhouse and Little Sing Sing over the years — has gone from a space for music to housing the School Store, post office, and Business Office, and now has returned to its original purpose once more.

In her remarks, Cathy quoted Foxcroft founder Charlotte Haxall Noland, whose words ring as true today as they did in 1946 at the launch of the School’s first building campaign: “Give us the tools we need and we will give the world fine women.” The renovation of the Music Building has already yielded results for our students, who are now filling each room with the beautiful sounds of creative expression as they hone their voices and talents.