School of Music Facilities
Presser Hall has been home to the School of Music and a campus landmark since its
construction in 1929. Ongoing work of nearly $1 million in renovations and upgrades
are the latest in a series of improvements during the classic structure's great history.
The entire music facility now includes teaching studios, individual practice rooms, rehearsal halls for both large and small ensembles, a percussion wing, an electronic piano laboratory, a computer laboratory, a computer music center, and Westbrook Auditorium.
Performance Spaces
Westbrook Auditorium
Westbrook Auditorium is a 500-seat venue for concerts and recitals, and is the official
site of University convocations.
The auditorium received a makeover as part of the Transforming Lives campaign, thanks to the generous support of Coyner Smith ’54 and his wife, Donna.
Evelyn Chapel
Frequently used as a performance space, Evelyn Chapel won the 1985 Interior Architecture Award from the Chicago Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and a similar award for the entire building in 1987.
Technology
Keyboard Lab
The Keyboard Laboratory supports the instruction of piano skills for our music and theatre students. It is filled with keyboard instruments, headphone ports, and classroom teaching materials to provide an effective learning and training environment.
Composition Computer Lab
The Composition Computer Laboratory has numerous workstations, each equipped with an Mac computer, MIDI keyboard, and software to support student work in theory, notation, ear training, and composition.
The Ames Library
The Ames Library holds music scores, a CD collection that supports the School's curriculum, and books and journals related to music. In addition, students and faculty have access to a variety of online music resources, including streaming video and audio collections, e-books, and articles. Past recordings of School of Music performances can be found in the Tate University Archives. For more information, please see our Music Research Guide.
Regular Hours
Presser Hall is open from 7:00 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. on weekdays, and 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. on weekends.
May Term & Summer Hours
Presser Hall is open from 7:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. during May Term.
Presser Hall is open from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. during Summer.