Rocking on Campus: Rehearsal Space in the Last 5 Years

The article “Bands search for space,” on the front page of this week’s S&B, describes the recent efforts of students and faculty to find adequate practice space for campus musicians. But the campus has faced this issue before. Check out the links to the S&B archives to trace practice space history though the years.

by Ari Anisfeld & Justin Erickson

Campus bands have struggled for years to find a space that meets their requirements for “rockability,” which include acoustics, availability, equipment security and acceptability to neighbors. From 1999 to 2004, the off-campus college-owned house at 1128 High Street was designated as Music House (a.k.a. Musik Haus or Freesound House). At least 9 bands practiced in the wooden-floored living room during the 2003-2004 academic year, according to former SGA Concerts Chair Brendan Baker ’06. Music House treated residents to consistent practice space, safe storage of instruments and a community of like-minded musicians.

But Music House also had its downsides. According to Music major Ioannis Loukakis ’07, it was often difficult to fill the house because many students were not willing to live with the noise level. He cited the case of a college athlete, who had no connection to music but did not mind the noise, living in a Music House single.

In 2004, Music House lost its spot at 1128 High St. to the now-defunct International Gourmet House. John Chavez ’05 and other campus band advocates went to Vice President for Student Services Tom Crady, and they worked together to make an accessible practice space available in Norris Pit. The large, graffiti-covered room had been used as a practice space from the 1960s to the 1980s. Crady appropriated funds for foam to line the space, which Baker said "contained noise in the room" but did not soundproof it. With the foam, the acoustics were "as all right as a concrete room could sound,” said Baker, but the noise was still bothersome to Norris residents. Freesound received funding from SGA to buy basic equipment for the space, including a guitar and a bass.

In the 2005-2006 year, Music House experienced a brief revival as Art and Music House, but this lasted only a year. Currently, 1128 High St. is home to Dag House.

The search for alternatives has led bands to unconventional spaces, including off-campus houses, dorm lounges and dorm rooms.