Texas A&M University's Board of Regents has approved construction of a $60 million Texas A&M University-Kingsville Education Complex and Music Building.
The university says the music program on the Kingsville campus has long outgrown its existing facilities, and a new music building is critical to maintaining the program’s accreditation status.
The new building will replace the Bellamah Music Building, which was built in 1959 to accommodate 100 students and 12 faculty members. The size of the program now has reached 250 students and 30 faculty members.
The Texas Legislature approved funding for the project in June 2015.
The new building will have 90,000 square feet of space, compared to 32,000 in the existing facility. It have include a performance hall with 450 to 500-seats; a 100-seat recital/lecture hall; four large rehearsal halls for band, choir, orchestra and jazz; and three chamber music/methods halls.
Other features include: 32 faculty studios/offices; 48 student practice rooms; five classrooms; two student study areas
one computer music lab; one electronic keyboard lab; one recording studio; one administrative office suite; and storage facilities.
Construction of the new facility is set to begin in June.
