Facilities

A Bright Future

Facility Rental

West Chester University SOM has the facilities to support its program. Besides our air conditioned, practice rooms in Swope Hall we enjoy the:
• Center for Music Technology,
• Roland Piano Lab,
• Skinner Pipe Organ,
• Walker Organ,
• Martin Harpsichord,
• 22 new Steinways,
• Music Library
• The Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall
• Philips Autograph Library.

Center for Music Technology
The Center for Music Technology at West Chester University of Pennsylvania provides students and faculty at the School of Music with access to state-of-the-art music technology, including high-quality music typesetting facilities, computer-aided instruction, and tutoring in the domains of aural skills and basic music literacy, as well as sound synthesis and digital media integration.

The Center for Music Technology (CMT) of the School of Music at West Chester University seeks to:
• work as an advocate for composers so that they will compose and present new works,
• provide tools for composers at both the professional and student levels to compose and present new works,
• function as a resource and facilitator for information about new music trends, technologies, and tools, and
• help the public gain an appreciation and understanding of music of our present day.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania has strongly supported the composition and teaching of electronic and computer music since the establishment of the Studio for Experimental Music in 1971. Both student and faculty composers created new electronic compositions with the Moog analog synthesizer. Works composed on this instrument have been played throughout the United States and Europe. Beginning in 1985, when the field of electronic music was revolutionized by the development of digital technology, the studio made the transition to a computer controlled MIDI environment. Established in January 1989, the Center for Music Technology (CMT) is the direct descendent of the Studio for Experimental Music. However, the Center has been designed to reach a much larger user group — not only composers but all students and faculty of the School of Music.

All music students in undergraduate theory and ear-training courses use CMT for computer-assisted drill and assigned theory work. Aural Activities students (190 students per term) use the computers to work along with the class ear-training text. Students requiring remedial work in ear-training are directed to use appropriate software to assist them. Theory students (185 students per term) use the notation software to do part-writing assignments. Students in Acoustics classes (60-75 students per year) use workstations to study alternate tunings and temperaments. All graduate and undergraduate students in Composition and Computer Music (20 to 25 student composers each term) use CMT extensively for creative work in sequencing, sound design, and music notation. Many of the 55 faculty members of the School of Music use of the workstations regularly for scholarly research in theory or musicology as well as notation of scores for solo instruments, ensembles, and orchestra.

The Center for Music Technology has a current complement of 12 workstations. Of these, 6 workstations are designated as special purpose. One workstation is acoustically isolated from the core group so as to provide extensive experience for the users in digital multitrack recording and surround sound mixing. Five of the special purpose workstations are flexibly set up for the Interactive Performance with specialized controllers.

One of the research areas of the Center for Music Technology is the Interactive Performance Project in which the computer is given a much more active role in live performances. As a performer plays either an acoustic instrument or MIDI controller, the performer's acoustic sounds and/or electronic gestures are available to the computer in the form of MIDI information. The required software, Max/MSP, uses MIDI information in ways specified by the composer. Many possibilities exist, including playing additional sounds, modifying existing sounds, and changing sonic location of the sounds. This new technology will allow the composer to work with tools to create live and spontaneous new works in which the electronic sounds are initiated and controlled by the performer.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania has hosted guest composers and performers who have specialized in Interactive Performance. And WCU Faculty have been invited to visit other institutions (e.g., University of Texas, Temple University, Yale University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Delaware) for lectures and performances of music which involves Interactive Performance. Student composers also benefit immensely from the opportunity to listen to and speak with guest composers, each of whom offers a unique perspective on the field of composition. Composers who will visit West Chester University this coming semester include Christopher Theofanidis, Timothy Place, Daniel Dorff, and Peter Kirn.

Works composed using the tools of the Center for Music Technology are extensively featured on the Concerts of New Music series at West Chester. The annual series includes two concerts by the West Chester University New Music Ensemble, directed by Robert Maggio and Larry Nelson, and two concerts by guest ensembles. Recent guest ensembles include the Network for New Music and the Settlement Music School Contemporary Players, both Philadelphia-based groups. In addition, a core group of professional performers is invited to campus once each year to do readings of works by WCU student composers in the undergraduate and graduate composition program. For these events the CMT affords the printing of scores and individual parts, the production of audio and video recordings to document the events.

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Roland Piano Lab

Skinner Pipe Organ

Walker Organ

Martin Harpsichord

Steinway Program

Music Library
The Music Library provides students and faculty of the School
of Music with access to a collection of scores, recordings, and reference books relating to music performance, composition,
and history.

The Music Library houses a collection of scores, recordings, and reference books relating to music performance, composition, and history. Our recording collections includes records, tapes, and Compact Discs. Our listening resources include phonographs, compact disc players, and cassette recorders. Sound recordings do not circulate. Scores circulate for six weeks and may be checked out at the Music Library Circulation Desk.

Library services include reference, library instruction and tours.
The Music Library is housed in the lower floor of Swope Hall, at the corner of Church and College Streets. The phone number for the Music Library is 610-436-2430. More information.

The Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall
The Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall located in the Philips Memorial Building at West Chester University was built in 1927. The building originally served as a chapel and lecture hall as well as a performance area for many student organizations. Renovations were completed in January 2000 were made possible by generous donations by Emilie Kessel Asplundh, the School of Music, the Class of 1927, as well as many others. Renovations included improved audience seating and sightlines, acoustics, lighting, sound systems, and stage rigging as well as many structural improvements. The E.M. Skinner pipe organ was also refurbished. The concert hall now houses a 9ft Steinway Grand Piano donated by Margaretta Carey. The 1,200 seat Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall is now the premier performing arts venue in Chester County.

Since its reopening in February 2000, the concert hall has provided West Chester University and the community with theatrical productions, concerts, dance, guest speakers, and student programs. Some of the past events included guest speaker Elie Wiesel, the Count Basie Orchestra, and comedian Jimmy Fallon. The West Chester University Theatre Department presented the plays A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Blood Brothers. The Brandywine Ballet Company also presented The Nutcracker. The West Chester University School of Music also produces several concerts yearly, ranging from symphony to jazz.

Phillips Autograph Library

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