The Music Program is housed in the Edith C. Blum Institute, part of the newly renovated Milton and Sally Avery Arts Center, which is also home to the Film and Electronic Arts Program and the Conservatory. Music facilities at the Blum include practice rooms, a fully equipped soundproof recording studio, an editing studio, computer music studio, composition studio, listening library, jazz band rehearsal space, jazz percussion studio, instrument storage, small performance spaces, and an outdoor amphitheater. Students have access to grand and upright Steinway and Yamaha pianos.
Program Facilities
The Music Program is housed in the Edith C. Blum Institute, part of the Milton and Sally Avery Arts Center, which is also home to the Film and Electronic Arts Program and some Conservatory offices. Music facilities include a fully equipped, soundproof recording studio, editing studio, computer music studio, composition studio, listening library, jazz band rehearsal space, jazz percussion studio, instrument storage, small performance spaces, and an outdoor amphitheater. The building is open from approximately 7:00 am to 11:55 pm daily.
Program Facilities
Bard provides music students with lockers free of charge for individual instruments. To reserve a locker, purchase a combination lock (the bookstore sells them) and see James Mongan in the Music Program office (Blum N122). We cannot guarantee every student a locker due to availability.
Practice Spaces
The Music Program also maintains practice rooms in Blum and in the Music Practice Rooms building nearby. Students have access to grand and upright Steinway and Yamaha pianos, donated to Bard by the manufacturers. Pianos—in addition to those in the music buildings—are available for student practice in Olin Hall, Bard Hall, the Chapel of the Holy Innocents, and several residence halls.
Practice Spaces
There are two ways to reserve practice room space:
1) Go to the Bitó Conservatory Building lobby, Monday through Friday, approximately 9am until 5pm, to reserve in person.
2) Reserve online at least 48 hours in advance through the Bard Space Management System using your Bard credentials at space.bard.edu.
Bito Conservatory Building
A gift from László Z. Bitó ’60, the Bitó Conservatory Building opened in spring 2013. The building, named one of six standout new university buildings by Interior Design (June 2014), contains teaching studios, classrooms, practice rooms, offices, and a 145-seat performance space. The two graduate programs of the Conservatory—vocal arts and conducting—are also housed in the building, allowing for closer interaction with undergraduates. The building is open from approximately 7:00 am to 11:55 pm daily.
Fisher Center for the Performing Arts
Students may take part in public performances at several venues on campus, including Olin Hall, and the Sosnoff and LUMA Theaters at the Frank Gehry–designed Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. The Fisher Center also houses the Dance and Theater & Performance Programs, and during the summer hosts the Bard Music Festival and the annual SummerScape series of dance, opera, theater, film, music, and cabaret. The Orchestra Now, a training orchestra and graduate program, prepares musicians for the challenges facing the modern symphony orchestra.
Reserving Spaces for Performances, Concerts, Recordings, and Rehearsals
Students can reserve spaces on campus for performances, recordings, rehearsal, and Moderation or Senior Project concerts. László Z. Bitó ’60 Conservatory Building contains a 145-seat performance space. Olin Hall, located in the Franklin W. Olin Humanities building, seats 300 people and is used for Conservatory performances, rehearsals, masterclasses, classes and lectures. Recording facilities are also available in the hall so it is frequently used by students for making audition recordings. Other performance spaces include Blum Hall, Bard Hall, Olin 104, and the Jazz Room (Blum N211).
To reserve Blum Hall, Bard Hall, Olin 104, the Jazz Room (Blum N211), or to reserve a space for your Moderation or Senior Project concert (you have agreed upon a date with your Board members), see James Mongan in the Music Program office (Blum N122) or email [email protected].
To reserve Olin Hall or Olin Green Room, email Marc Mancus [email protected].
To reserve the Bitó Conservatory Performance Space, email Ann Gabler [email protected].
Reserving Spaces for Performances, Concerts, Recordings, and Rehearsals
Olin Hall
Olin Hall is locked in the evening and on weekends. Security will be notified of the confirmed date and access time for evenings/weekends to let you in. Be sure to let us know if plans change and you need to cancel.
Requests by email to Marc Mancus [email protected] for rehearsals, concerts, or recording times in Olin will be responded to Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–4:00 pm ONLY. Reservation requests must be made at least 48 hours in advance, or by Thursday if you’re requesting weekend access to Olin Hall or Olin Green Room.
Please remember that if the hall is unexpectedly needed for a class by a faculty member, for extra dress rehearsal time, or for piano tuning, you may need to find another space.
Make arrangements for equipment, screens, streaming, etc in Olin through Bard AV at [email protected].
Please remember to turn off THE STAGE LIGHTS after RECORDINGS OR REHEARSALS.
THE PIANO LIDS ARE NOT TO BE REMOVED NOR ARE THE PIANOS TO BE PREPARED IN ANY WAY FOR RECORDINGS OR REHEARSALS WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION FROM MICHAEL LYNAM ([email protected]). THE PIANOS MUST NOT BE MOVED OUT OF THE HALL or OFFSTAGE IN OLIN.
When you are finished using the hall, please remember to cover the piano, return stands and chairs, and turn off the lights when leaving.
Bitó Conservatory Performance Space
Conservatory Performance Space (CPS) reservations are only for concerts, recordings, certain ensemble/orchestra rehearsals and dress rehearsals. If you need a practice room, please refer to Practice Rooms.
Requests by email to Ann Gabler [email protected] for rehearsal or recording time in CPS will be responded to Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–4:00 pm ONLY. Reservation requests must be made at least 48 hours in advance, or by Thursday if you’re requesting weekend access to CPS.
Please note: if CPS is unexpectedly needed for a class by a faculty member, for extra dress rehearsal time, or for piano tuning, you may need to find another space.
For guidelines and info on booking recordings in CPS, contact Marc Mancus [email protected].
To apply to the undergraduate Bard Music Program, apply through the Bard Admission Office. Applying to the Bard Conservatory of Music requires a separate application to the Conservatory. Apply to the Undergraduate ProgramApply to the Conservatory