Amidst an array of musical performances and a celebratory spirit, Lycoming College dedicated the Trachte Music Center on Friday, Oct. 21, in the presence of 200 students, faculty, and staff, as well as numerous elected and city officials, trustees, alumni, community members and friends of the College. The dedication was an historic event as the building represents the first significant investment in the College’s music program in more than 100 years.
The presentation of the building as Trachte Music Center was performed by lead donors Peter Lynn ’69 and Stan ’80 Sloter, along with Board of Trustees Chair D. Mark Fultz ’80, who also represented lead donor Dan Fultz ’57, who was not in attendance. Each of the lead donors worked closely with President Trachte over the course of his nine years as president and wanted to honor him and wife Sharon for their contributions to the College and community, and their love and appreciation for music.
Funded primarily through philanthropy, the $8.5 million, 14,000-square-foot building connects to the Mary Lindsay Welch Honors Hall. In addition, a Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant supported the site work and enhancements to the immediate area around the facility. The Trachte Music Center features a signature rehearsal and recital space, classrooms and digital piano lab, soundproof practice rooms, music resource and instrument room, and offices for music faculty.
“For [Sharon and me], the time that we have spent at Lycoming College has been a gift. Every day that we have been able to be a part of your community, which is now our community, has been a gift to us. And now to have this honor, I really am speechless and unable to find the proper words to express our feelings.” said Lycoming College President Kent C. Trachte of the namesake building. He recognized the Lycoming College Board of Trustees for their courage in deciding to continue the project in the face of cost escalation. He thanked the faculty and staff for attending, and also recognized the City and County governments for their support. “For the next century, this magnificent facility will stand, and generations of Lycoming College students, faculty, and alumni, and community members will make music within its walls — music that stirs our souls in moments of triumph and soothes us in moments of despair; and that is the great gift that has been given by all of you who made this happen. Thank you for honoring us in this way.”
Every year, more than 200 Lycoming students engage in music making on Lycoming’s campus through participation in choir, band, orchestra, chamber groups, small ensembles, private lessons, and recitals. In addition, many members of the community and region attend concerts and enjoy music performances on the campus. The Trachte Music Center will expand opportunities for community ensembles, local primary and secondary students, and music organizations to utilize the on-campus space as the College continues to enrich the experiences of its undergraduates. More information on Lycoming College’s music program is available at https://www.lycoming.edu/music/.
A time-lapse video of the building construction can be viewed at: https://www.lycoming.edu/advancement/music-facility-time-lapse.aspx.