“A home for music”

What excites you about Falls Music Center?

I mean, everything! I love the inclusivity of the facility. This is a visionary home for music at all levels and diverse genres. It’s for everyone—a true harmonization of music and music-makers in one place. In just these first few months since opening, it’s already had an enormous effect on our students. Whether they’re studying on the Abbot Academy Terrace, playing Beethoven on the Takvorian grand piano, or mixing hip-hop in the Bailey Music Studio—our young artists are busy exploring the many opportunities the building provides.

How does the facility elevate the vast depth and breadth of student talent?

Falls Music Center allows us to encourage each student’s interests, abilities, and degree of sophistication. The sheer size of the space means that they are no longer vying for practice rooms—there are 19—and that our faculty have the amenities and meeting areas they need. The acoustics are amazing—the specialized wall coverings and paneling temper and optimize sound effectively for all musicians, singers, and instrumentalists.

Additionally, we have two labs with 26 iMacs set up for digital notation software and music production. That’s so vital, because every year we have more and more students coming in with production and songwriting experience, those who want to compose film scores, record podcasts, and more. The swath of talent at Andover is mind-blowing, and it’s wonderful that this building is equipped for all of it.

How does Falls Music Center reaffirm the school’s commitment to music education as integral to the learning experience?

The Academy has always believed that music is essential to a liberal arts education. In fact, the school is unique in that a music course—The Nature of Music—is required of all incoming 9th and 10th grade students. We want to nurture those who are taking their first steps into this dynamic field. And those who want to do sound mixing or sampling or even try their hand at the clarinet. Falls Music Center enables all of it, which certainly fortifies PA’s position at the vanguard of music education within independent schools.

What does the future of music education look like at Andover, and in what ways does the new building foster that?

The future is about collaboration and integration. Falls Music Center is purpose-built for that. On any given afternoon, you can find students operating audio software, riffing with their bandmates, or delving into the scientific connection between music and the human brain. Our many performance groups, from gospel choir to jazz band to chamber orchestra, fill the three ensemble rooms. There’s a dedicated percussion room for not only Western drumming and rhythm, but also for world percussion. Classes like Survey of Music History and Music for Social Justice: The Power of Song help students understand the historical context and impact of music. It’s intentionally comprehensive. There are countless ways for our students to flex their imaginations and find inspiration in a limitless future.

What are some of the benefits for faculty?

Simply put, we are now able to teach things we could not before. Courses such as Advanced Music Production, Music Technology, and even our core classes all have composition elements to them that require certain technology. Graves Hall wasn’t made for that. Now our faculty have the tools to be innovative and interdisciplinary—and even to carry out their own research and professional pursuits. In turn, that helps us attract and retain the very best educators.

What would you like to say to the donors who helped drive this project to completion?

Thank you! Every donor has amplified the extraordinary value of the arts in education.

They’ve invested in a beautiful gathering place for students to tap into their creativity—where they can just be and grow and express themselves. I am profoundly grateful to Amy Falls, Hartley Rogers, and the many benefactors who contributed to spaces in honor of beloved family members, faculty, and friends. Their collective commitment is a lasting tribute to the profound importance of music at Andover.