December 08, 2022
Groundbreaking music
Construction begins on Andover’s state-of-the-art facilityThe curtain is rising on Andover’s future music building—the school’s first purpose-built center for music education and performance—with the official groundbreaking this December.
A chorus of heartfelt philanthropy, and even a bit of Andover rock ’n’ roll history, led to this milestone moment. Through more than 480 Knowledge & Goodness campaign gifts, donors have given nearly $24 million for the project, bolstered by an Academy investment to round out the building’s total budget.
The 30,000-square-foot music facility, slated to open in fall 2024, will feature the 250-seat John Barry Performance Hall—donated by Eric Zinterhofer ’89 and Aerin Lauder P’18, ’19—as well as three flexible ensemble spaces and three classrooms. The center will also house 19 practice rooms, an expansive music library, an electronic music studio, two technology labs, and more. The Abbot Academy Fund will sponsor the building’s outdoor court as well as a faculty suite.
“Together, we have a tremendous opportunity to promote music, which is so vital to the Andover experience, and to further strengthen our world-class facilities,” says Board President Amy C. Falls ’82, P’19, ’21. “The generosity of our alumni, families, and friends has made this possible, and will impact generations to come. For this, the entire PA community is incredibly grateful.”
In that spirit, a group of alumni will designate a classroom for the late William Thomas, faculty emeritus. And more than 80 donors contributed to the “rock room”—complete with recording and broadcast equipment—in memory of faculty members Carroll and Elaine Bailey.
“The Baileys were beloved by everyone, just for who they were,” says Peter Morin ’73, P’07, who played electric guitar as a student. “Carroll was responsible for bringing bands to campus—everyone from J. Geils to Livingston Taylor to Poco. So, it was important for us to have Carroll’s rock ’n’ roll legend be permanently affixed to the building.”
Jonathan Keidan ’92 wanted to honor his family’s legacy as well as his own formative years behind a drum set in Graves Hall. His leadership gift dedicates the building’s interior court to his great-uncles, celebrated composers George and Ira Gershwin, as well as Keidan’s great-grandfather, renowned pianist and composer Leopold Godowsky.
“This opportunity to contribute was compelling,” says Keidan. “Music was the center of my life at Andover. I hope to enable future generations of students who have similar interests—to help give them a wonderful space that embraces them on campus and provides a sense of belonging, like I had. It’s exciting to be a part of that.”
Originally printed in The Vista: Views from the Knowledge & Goodness Campaign, fall 2022.
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