PFW campus has music in the air

FORT WAYNE, Ind.—If you happen to be on the north side of the Purdue University Fort Wayne campus near the Rhinehart Music Center or Williams Theatre and think you hear music in the air, don’t worry, it’s not your imagination. It’s one of the School of Music’s large instrumental music ensembles practicing on the fourth floor of Parking Garage 3.

Faculty in the School of Music decided to turn that area of the garage into a rehearsal hall so the ensembles, and smaller groups, could practice while still employing social distancing.

Rehearsing a large ensemble inside a building in an enclosed space, where the coronavirus could more easily be spread from person to person, is considered to be an unsafe activity at the present time.

The covered fourth level of the parking garage allows for significant airflow and also protects the students from rain and high temperatures. So far, it has been an effective temporary solution.

The garage remains open for parking on all five levels, with the rehearsal area roped off and reserved for the student musicians.

Members of the media who are interested in capturing these music ensembles at work are welcome to visit the garage, as long as they maintain an appropriate distance from the entire group. Masks are required in all Purdue Fort Wayne structures including the garages.

The School of Music asks that the media do not try to speak with the conductors or musicians during the actual class time; however, most conductors are available for comment once the class is over.

Here are the best days and times to find the ensembles rehearsing:

University Symphonic Band
Mon., Wed., and Fri., 11 a.m.–noon
Conductor: Daniel Tembras, associate professor/director of instrumental studies

Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Mon., Wed., and Fri., 2:30–4 p.m.
Conductor: Daniel Tembras

Jazz Band
Tue. and Thu., 1:30–3 p.m.
Conductor: Terry Fisher, adjunct faculty, music technology

Community Orchestra
Mon. and Wed., 7:30–9:30 p.m.
Conductor: Kevin McMahon, visiting instructor/orchestra

For more information, or if there are any questions, please contact David Steffens, professor/director of the School of Music, at [email protected] or 260-481-6726, or Tembras at [email protected].

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