The building was designed as part of the Mizzou New Music Initiative which began in 2009 with the intention to position the school as a leading center for the composition and performance of new music. It became clear to the University and founder / donor of the Initiative that the existing facilities were holding the musicians back. A critical need was to provide thoughtfully designed facilities for musicians and composition students to rehearse and record their work. The 47,000 square foot three-story phase 1 centered on a state-of-the-art recording studio with control room and music isolation booths; Large Instrumental Rehearsal Room used for band, orchestra, percussion, jazz band, and new music ensembles; Sheryl Crow Hall used for choral and opera rehearsal that can also be used for small recitals along with teaching studios, classrooms, multiple sized practice rooms, percussion rooms, and a piano lab. The new facilities help the School of Music department achieve their mission - To prepare students to make meaningful contributions in the world as performers, composers, teachers, and scholars and - To expand the understanding and impact of music through faculty and student performance, composition, and research.
