Howard College Music Building to Undergo $1M Renovation

Yellow brick circular building

The Howard College Music Building will be the focus of a major revitalization effort on the Big Spring campus thanks to Carol Adams, daughter of Howard College past board member, Paul Adams, and her $1 million dollar donation. 

            “For several years we have been looking for a way to revitalize the music building and through this most generous donation from Ms. Adams, we will finally be able to get it done,” said Dr. Cheryl Sparks, Howard College President. “The music building is one of our jewels on campus and is an important part of our role and service to the community and region. It is a project that will have a huge impact for our current and future students as well as for those who have such fond memories associated with our music program.”

The donation is made by Adams in honor of her family, particularly her father, Paul Adams, who served on the Howard College board of trustees from 1956 – 1973 during the foundational years of the college. “I wanted to do something to honor the memory of my father and I’ve always had a special place in my heart for the college and the music building in particular,” said Adams. “I remember taking piano lessons, participating in recitals and the Piano Guild inside that building. I’m excited to now be a part of this project to revitalize the building and hopefully spur a new love of music for students and the community.”

            Built in 1956, the building has not seen any major upgrades or renovation since that time. To preserve the many unique qualities and purpose of the facility, plans are being completed to utilize the ‘good bones’ and repurpose some of the current spaces to make them more functional and bring them up to industry standards. 

Earlier in the year, Adams also provided the $14,470 needed to replace the electronic carillon in the clock tower on campus, originally funded by her family. 

“We just can’t say ‘Thank You’ enough,” added Sparks. “This project has been a dream of ours for many years. It will make an immediate impact on our music program, our students and our community and we are very eager to get started.”

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