Belles, band hopeful for new facility after years of crowding
Audrinee' Anderson
Section: Student Life
One main reason the two organizations are in need of a new building is that there is not enough room to accommodate all the students that participate in the programs.
"To date, the band program now has an enrollment of over 190 students, including 50 music majors," said Mensch.
When the OHPE center was built, the band hall of 2,610 square feet was designed for a band program of 75 and a marching band with hardly any storage room for the band and Belles.
As of today there are 10 different performing ensembles other than the marching band and 53 Belles that utilize the band hall.
"Marching band has no rehearsal place, instructors have no teaching place, and also hearing damage can affect the instrutors and even the students," said Mensch.
A new building might be mandatory for the organizations because the loss of space could lead to more problems.
"Inadequate space makes it extremely difficult to accomplish and educate some students on what they need to know for their majors and achieve for their degree plans," said Mensch
The funding to build a new building for the Apache Belles and Band as of now is coming from alumni and donors.
"Even though there is no set price for the new building, it will probably be built on Palmer Street, right across from the OHPE Center," said Kim Russell, vice president, Advancement and External Affairs.
In spite of there not being a blueprint of how the facility will look, directors of the programs have come to a clear conclusion of what should be included.
"Our wishes for the new faculty would be a wonderful dance studio, props and costume storage, and more offices," said Flynn.
"To date, the band program now has an enrollment of over 190 students, including 50 music majors," said Mensch.
When the OHPE center was built, the band hall of 2,610 square feet was designed for a band program of 75 and a marching band with hardly any storage room for the band and Belles.
As of today there are 10 different performing ensembles other than the marching band and 53 Belles that utilize the band hall.
"Marching band has no rehearsal place, instructors have no teaching place, and also hearing damage can affect the instrutors and even the students," said Mensch.
A new building might be mandatory for the organizations because the loss of space could lead to more problems.
"Inadequate space makes it extremely difficult to accomplish and educate some students on what they need to know for their majors and achieve for their degree plans," said Mensch
The funding to build a new building for the Apache Belles and Band as of now is coming from alumni and donors.
"Even though there is no set price for the new building, it will probably be built on Palmer Street, right across from the OHPE Center," said Kim Russell, vice president, Advancement and External Affairs.
In spite of there not being a blueprint of how the facility will look, directors of the programs have come to a clear conclusion of what should be included.
"Our wishes for the new faculty would be a wonderful dance studio, props and costume storage, and more offices," said Flynn.
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