History & Donors
Since 1956, the music department had been housed in the third floor of the Arts Building, now called Wyse Hall. As the department grew, so did the need for more space. By the mid-nineties, music department activities were scattered throughout campus.
Talk of a new space for music education and performance began in the 1970s, but not until the mid 90s did the Goshen College Board of Overseers approve a campus plan that included a new music building.
Music Center timeline:
- June 1995 Goshen College Board of Overseers approves a campus plan that includes a new music building. The music building is designated as first priority.
- October 1997 President Shirley H. Showalter presents the music building idea to friends of the college, who volunteer to chair a Music Center Campaign Steering Committee.
- February 1998 A Building Committee is established and meets weekly.
- April 1998 A Fund Raising Committee begins regular meetings.
- August 1998 Architects and acoustical consultants are chosen.
- September 1998 Architects present a building proposal.
- November 1998 Goshen College announces the receipt of a $5 million Lilly Endowment Inc. grant toward a new music building.
- October 1999 “Introduction and Allegro: Celebration of Music at Goshen College” draws nearly 1,200 people to the Union Auditorium to launch the music building project’s final $5.6 million fundraising campaign. Seventy-eight percent of the necessary funds had already been pledged.
- June 2, 2000 Goshen College holds groundbreaking for the new Music Center.
More than 700 households donated to the Music Center facility. They gave gifts of $10 to $2.5 million, all of which were gratefully received as affirmation of the project’s importance. When construction began in fall of 1999, most of the $24 million needed for the project had been given or pledged. The October 2000 Music Center dedication program included the Building Campaign Honor Roll as tribute to this widespread support.