The University of Nebraska–Lincoln has constructed a new facility to house the Glenn Korff School of Music.
The university says the new Westbrook Music Building is replacing the former facility of the same name, which opened in 1967.
The new building was made possible with $75 million in funding from the Nebraska Legislature.
The 103,000-square-foot facility opened in May and will host classes for the first time this fall. The building provides ample daylight and more access to social spaces than the previous facility.
Other highlights of the new building:
- An immersive performance hall on the first floor. It features retractable seating for 175 people, technology for audio immersion, high-definition video conferencing and advanced streaming technology.
- A recording studio, also on the first floor. The studio is equipped with cutting-edge audio and video technology, high-fidelity recording equipment, real-time mixing and mastering, and integration with virtual reality tools.
The new building also has two large rehearsal rooms (for band and choir), a percussion rehearsal space, music library, 16 classrooms, 41 practice rooms and 65 offices.
Phase two of construction is underway. The south side of the original Westbrook Music Building will be renovated and connected to the new building, providing additional office and classroom space. The north side of the original structure will be demolished.
Landscaping will be installed to connect the new music building to the arts quadrangle. The entire project will be completed in spring 2026.
The architects are BNIM and Sinclair Hille Architects. The construction manager is Hausmann Construction, and the acoustical engineering consultant is Kirkegaard.
