Centenary Dedicates First Part of Multi-Phase Arts Complex; New $6 Million Project Includes Two New Buildings -- Anderson Choral Building & Feazel Instrumental Hall -- & Renovations to Hurley Music Building

See photos from the dedication event

SHREVEPORT – Music was in the air – both literally and figuratively – Thursday (Oct. 10, 2002) as Centenary College of Louisiana dedicated two new buildings and showcased newly renovated spaces in its Hurley Music Building.

President Kenneth L. Schwab led an 11 a.m. ceremony dedicating the college’s new $6 million Anderson Choral Building and Feazel Instrumental Hall as well as the renovated and renamed Anderson Auditorium, formerly called the Hurley Recital Hall. The event also honored the benefactors of the complex and showcased student musicians who will use the spaces.

Honored for providing the support that made the projects possible were Mr. and Mrs. William G. Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Feazel Anderson, Dr. Alberta E. Broyles, all of Shreveport, La., and Dr. Nancy Mikell Carruth of Bunkie, La.  

Construction, which is nearing completion, began August 2001 on the first portion of a multi-phase, 140,000-square-foot arts complex at Centenary. The first phase, some 29,000 square feet, includes the Anderson Choral Building with a dramatic lobby/atrium that will serve the existing and future complex; the oval-shaped Feazel Instrumental Hall; renovations to the existing recital hall/auditorium; a mechanical plant building planned to serve the entire arts complex; and site improvements that include better access, more parking, landscaping and site lighting.

The Anderson Choral Building includes the 2,000-square-foot Carruth Choir Room, the 1,300-square-foot Broyles Choral Room and the Harvey and Alberta Broyles Choral Lounge. The building includes a large sound-proof practice room that electronically simulates different acoustic conditions. Dressing rooms and additions to back-of-stage areas for the existing auditorium will enhance the use of the Hurley Music Building’s performance venue. The lobby of the Choral Building is a dramatic public space that will serve the existing and future theatres and museum.

The 3,000-square-foot Feazel Instrumental Hall is designed to allow tuning of the room for various performance requirements. The ceiling and wall panels of this room are artistically and functionally designed to work with electronically controlled draperies in making the room's acoustics flexible. This will be an uplifting space for rehearsal and performances.  Community groups are also expected to use the space on a regular basis.

The Anderson Auditorium renovation includes new seating, flooring and lighting. The stage is enlarged and refinished with new flooring and wall panels. The result is improved acoustics for the recital hall. The wing spaces have been revised and a new lighting control system has been installed. The recital hall aesthetic and functional improvements will enhance the experiences for both performers and audience. For the first time, reserved seating will be available to audiences.

The dedication ceremony began with a presentation by the Centenary Brass Quintet, conducted by Dr. Thomas Stone. Chaplain Betsy Eaves delivered a prayer of dedication. Unveiling the names of the Anderson Choral Building named in memory of G. M. “Jake” and Dr. Gertie Anderson were William G. and Grace Brantley Anderson and their family, along with Dr. Gale Odom, dean of the Hurley School of Music; vocal music professors and choral directors/conductors Dr. Will K. Andress, Dr. Julia Thorn and Dr. Horace English. At the same time, those unveiling the Feazel Instrumental Hall signage were Henry Feazel and Frances Cole Anderson and their family, along with instrumental professors Dr. Eric McIntyre and Dr. Stone. The  Feazel Hall is named in memory of Cynthia Day Feazel and Lallage Feazel Wall. The College named the Anderson Auditorium in honor of Mr. and Mrs. William G. Anderson and Mr. and Mrs. Henry F. Anderson.

Following the ceremonies, music students hosted tours of the new spaces, including stops at the newly named Dr. Alberta E. Broyles Choral Room, the A. Harvey and Alberta E. Broyles Choral Lounge and the Nancy Mikell Carruth Choir Room. A reception was held in the Broyles Choral Room.

During the afternoon, the Centenary Board of Trustees held its quarterly luncheon in the Carruth Choir Room; heard a presentation by the Camerata Singers, conducted by Dr. Julia Thorn; and held a business meeting in the Atrium.

The Morgan Hill Sutton and Mitchell firm, with Kim Mitchell as the project architect, provided the architectural services for the arts complex.  Contractor is McInnis Brothers Construction. Full use of the new facilities will take place during the spring semester.

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