Hitting A High Note in Strauss
Performing Arts Center takes center stage with renovation, addition
In music, a fermata indicates a hold or pause. If placed on a note or rest, it’s a grand pause.
For much of UNO’s existence, music students have had to endure several fermatas. But thanks in large measure to private giving, an upbeat tempo is being heard these days in the School of Music with renovation and expansion complete on the 46-year-old Willis A. and Janet S. Strauss Performing Arts Center.
“The renovation and expansion of Strauss will not only enhance UNO School of Music’s growing reputation as one of the top cultural and academic destinations in Nebraska,” says the school’s director, Washington Garcia, D.M.A., “but it will also provide students, faculty and staff with state-of-the-art facilities and acoustics to strengthen scholarly and creative activities.”
The project also provides additional space to accommodate growth in the number of music majors in the school, he adds.
“With almost 200 students, the School of Music has continued to see a consistent growth of around 15-20 percent in its incoming classes. This renovation and expansion will help accommodate these students, as well as provide room for further growth,” Garcia says.
The $18.3 million project was made possible with state and university funds and private support from a community of donors, including a lead gift from Ruth and Bill Scott of Omaha.
“I would like to thank all patrons who made this project possible,” Garcia says.
The Strauss Performing Arts Center now features a renovated concert hall to accommodate nearly 400 guests for events including concerts, rehearsals, UNO’s State of the University address, TEDxUNO and more.
A new, smaller recital hall also was added during the addition to seat 100 guests. The update included an addition of 25,000 square feet encompassing practice rooms, teaching spaces with studios for the keyboard, brass, percussion and technology areas, and a recording studio.
Existing rooms were updated and outfitted with new equipment.
It’s all worth the wait, one of several the school has endured related to having adequate space.
UNO's first bachelor of science in music was established in the 1920s, but students performed wherever they could over the years, including Arts and Sciences Hall and in a small annex named for longtime university patron Sarah Joslyn, just south of Sapp Fieldhouse.
The Strauss Performing Arts Center provided the school’s first permanent home — but it was not what was originally envisioned. The Nebraska Legislature in 1969 approved funding only for Phase I of the building at $1.9 million, less than half the $5 million requested. The building was dedicated in 1973.
A Phase II addition was to follow with space for speech and drama facilities. Those, however, later were allocated to Arts and Sciences Hall and the Weber Fine Arts Building, which opened in 1992.
In 1986, another wait ended upon dedication of the building to honor Willis and Janet Strauss. That’s when a Casavant pipe organ was installed in space originally designed for it but which sat empty for nearly 13 years.
Now, the Strauss Performing Arts Center is not just “whole” but poised to educate the next generation of talented musicians with world-class education in the instrumental and choral arts.
“We remain unconditionally committed to serving the community and improving the quality of life in the city and state through music,” Garcia says.
With contributions from Jessica Hilt, University Communications
A New Sound To Concert Hall Name
The newly renovated concert hall in Strauss now bears the name of UNO Chancellor Emeritus John Christensen and his wife, Jan.
Christensen served as chancellor for a decade, stepping down from his post in May 2017. Jan was a longtime teacher and administrator with Omaha Public Schools.
Ruth Scott says that honoring the Christensens with the naming is a fitting tribute to them given that they dedicated more than 40 years to the growth and prosperity of UNO and to its positive impact on the Omaha community.
“John Christensen has had a profound impact on UNO over many years,” Scott says. “This project was a priority for him during the final years of his tenure as chancellor. Because John and his wife, Jan, are a great team, it seems appropriate that we recognize the leadership and devotion they have provided to UNO.”
John Christensen said that he and his wife are both touched by this tribute.
“This honor is especially meaningful to Jan and me because of our love for the University of Nebraska at Omaha,” Christensen says. “It was a privilege to lead the campus and to witness the extraordinary generosity and humility of its philanthropic supporters, especially that of Ruth and Bill Scott and the entire Scott family.”