New Music Building Moves Closer To Completion

Throughout the summer, work crews have continued to make steady progress on The Rivers School’s new music building. Recently adorned with a fresh coat of red paint, the building, modeled after an old New England barn, is on schedule to open this fall.

“As of today, most of the teaching studios are almost complete,” said David Tierney, Director of The Rivers School Conservatory. “We are now in the process of measuring the rooms to determine which pianos will be the best fit for each space. This is when all the pieces start coming together – it’s the real fun part.”

Designed by the local architecture firm Royal Barry Wills, the new three-story building will contain a recording studio, an impressive music library, a percussion studio, a jazz ensemble room, an orchestra room, a choral room, and other small studios and practice spaces for private lessons. These new spaces will provide Rivers’ award-winning music groups including the Rivers Big Band, Select Jazz Combo I, and Jazz Choir, a state-of-the art facility in which to practice and perform.  

The most exciting feature, however, is the A. Ramón Rivera recital hall, named after The Rivers School Conservatory’s esteemed piano teacher and director-emeritus. The recital hall seats 160 people and will be the school’s primary performance space.

“This new music building will mirror the premier musical education programs that have distinguished The Rivers School Conservatory over the past few decades,” concluded Tierney.