Martha-Ellen Tye Recital Hall "reopened" during concert
The Department of Music "reopened" the Martha-Ellen Tye Recital
Hall during a special concert on Friday, Sept. 8.
The concert marked the 25th year of the recital hall as well as a new look
for the facility. This past summer, major renovations were completed including
new seating, new acoustical banners and new carpet. Now instead of the old
orange motif that permeated the facility since it was built in the late
1970s, the color blue is prominent throughout the recital hall. The new
acoustical banners can be moved electronically to enhance the sound of any
performance.
The total project was budgeted at approximately $220,000. Funding for the
project has been made available through University funds and a private donation
by Ellen (Molleston) and Tom Walvoord, 1961 Iowa State graduates.
Another added feature to the recital hall is a digital video camera mounted
at the rear of the facility. Through remote control, all events in the facility
are made available on the Department of Music's website (www.music.iastate.edu)
as individuals are able to view not only performances but classroom lectures,
guest speakers and rehearsals in real time. The digital video camera was
made possible through a donation from Iowa State alumnus Deloris Wright
of Colorado.
The Department of Music feels this will be an important feature to the new
recital hall. In fact, Michael Golemo, chair of the Department of Music,
in his introductory remarks to the audience at the concert said the department
was aware of several alumni and friends of the department who viewed the
concert on-line.
Those individuals and the audience were treated to an evening of diverse
performances featuring primarily Department of Music faculty members. The
Ames Piano Quartet performed a selection by Brahms and accompanied vocalists
Simon Estes, Mary Creswell and Donald Simonson on selections from "Porgy
and Bess."
Other performances included "Promise," an original composition
written by faculty member Jeffrey Prater, selections performed on the Brombaugh
Organ and an electroacoustic composition performed by Christopher Hopkins.
Reception afterwards in the Music Hall lobby
Orchestra under the direction of James Hannon
Simon Estes with the Ames Piano Quartet
Sonya Giles performing "The Promise" by Jeffrey Prater
