World-Class Recital Hall Unveiled at Samford University

World-Class Recital Hall Unveiled at Samford University

Sparkling New Facility to Capture "Cultural Share" As Well As Educate

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Oct. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Samford University puts itself squarely atop the ranks of performing arts venues in the South when school officials dedicate the dazzling Jane Hollock Brock Hall at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 3, with a gala concert in the new facility.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061003/CLTU082)

Jane Hollock Brock Hall's main public attraction is the opulent 300-seat soundstage in Brock Recital Hall that strikes a stunning balance between Baroque vastness and the warm intimacy of an ancient Greek outdoor amphitheatre.

Outside, Brock Hall greets visitors entering from Lakeshore Drive as the newest pristine example of Georgian elegance on Samford's landscape, built adjacent to the Leslie Wright Fine Arts Center.

Floating Stage, "Acoustic Perfection"

Named in honor of noted philanthropist and Samford donor Jane Hollock Brock, the recital hall easily will accommodate musical and dramatic performances ranging from opera to orchestral to vocal productions, and everything in between. For acoustic perfection, adjustable tiles imperceptibly placed in the walls create tunable space for the full spectrum between a single classical guitar and full-scale choirs or live orchestra. The imported parquet stage floats on a rubber surface to control ambient sound, much like the entire chamber itself is separated from the rest of the Hall by a four-inch rubber filament between the walls to eliminate reverberation.

"The Promise" to Students

All these physical attributes would appear to take center stage, but not in the eyes of Joseph Hopkins, dean of Samford University's School of Performing Arts. "Very simply, we as a University made a 'Promise' to every music student enrolled in our program," Hopkins said. "We promised them they would learn, practice and perform in a world-class building and that they would receive a hard-earned degree from the finest music faculty in the finest of music facilities. We are convinced that Promise is being kept to our students with the unveiling of the Brock Hall."

Teaching and learning space in Brock Hall far exceeds the size of the recital hall. The building features nine practice studios (each with floors that float on rubber, as well as other soundproofing technology); an adjustable chamber music rehearsal room; a beautifully designed rehearsal suite with angled walls that reduce unwanted sound reverberation and special curtains that can be adjusted for acoustical needs; and finally, a lecture classroom that can be used for both conference and lecture settings.

"The Promise" to the Community

"Not only have we made a 'Promise' to our students and faculty with Jane Hollock Brock Hall," Hopkins said, "with this facility, we are making a promise to Birmingham, the surrounding area, and to the state of Alabama and well beyond, that Samford University fully intends to be the area's top welcoming attraction for the finest in performing arts. We are pursuing 'cultural share' of the whole region's performing arts community."

About Samford University

Samford University, located in Birmingham, Alabama, provides a rigorous liberal arts education for 4,500 students from 45 states and more than 30 nations. It offers an outstanding education in 23 degree programs and more than 100 majors in eight schools, and international programs on five continents. Samford provides a campus culture and environment for the well- being of mind, body and spirit for its students, faculty and staff. Founded in 1841, it is Alabama's largest privately-funded school and is the nation's 87th oldest university. For more information, please visit us at www.samford.edu.

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Source: Samford University

CONTACT: William A. Nunnelly, Director, Office of Media and Public
Relations of Samford University, +1-205-726-2800, or Fax, +1-205-726-2654

Web site: http://www.samford.edu/

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