New music building for Vision College students

20 May 2014

New music building gives Vision College students something to sing about

Music students at Vision College have something extra to sing about this month as the long-standing tertiary education provider recently opened Hamilton’s newest tertiary institute music facility.

The purpose-built music facility, located at the Vision College’s Ruakura Road campus, has been under construction since October last year and is now home to students studying music at a diploma and degree level.

The facility comprises 16 rooms including three teaching classrooms, three band spaces, and eight rehearsal spaces. It also hosts a computer lab for students to study or compose music and an auditorium with a state-of-the art sound system.

And according to the head of Vision College’s School of Music, Joanne Whitt, the facility has thus far exceeded all expectations.

“The building is purpose-built for our music students. The size, the rooms and the facilities within the building are noticeably improved and we have had nothing but good feedback from students,” she said.

Prior to the completion of the new music facility, Vision College music students operated out of two campuses; Vision College and Eastside Church.

“The previous set-up was a good interim solution, but not an ideal long-term solution for our music students. We had gear at two campuses and neither was a purpose-built setting. We knew it was important to improve our music facilities so our students could study and perform in comfort,” Joanne said.

“Our goal was to have all our students study together at one site in a spacious and soundproofed environment that allows students to work together or alone, depending on their style. And this is exactly what we have got,” she said.

Second year music student Joshua Fitzgerald said the new building provides “more musical freedom.”

“Having our own purpose-built space that includes a band room and practise rooms means we can make all the noise we want during flexible hours. It feels professional and comfortable at the same time,” he said.

The building is open and available until midnight every weeknight to students who want to study or make music.

Vision College offers NZ’s only Christian music degree, with three music electives available: vocal, instrument and song writing. Music students can elect to study their preferred style, be contemporary or classical.

“We are confident that our new music building creates a dynamic atmosphere suitable for practising and performing all of these electives and we look forward seeing talented performers create beautiful music out of this facility,” Joanne said.

Graduates of the music degree from the Hamilton campus now work as professional musicians, high school music teachers, private music tutors and as music directors in large churches.

More about Vision College
Vision College also offers both diplomas and degrees in subjects that include web design, software, counselling, business, early childhood education, ministry, electronics and computer engineering from campuses in Christchurch, Hamilton and Auckland.

The College is a division of private training provider ATC New Zealand. Other divisions of ATC New Zealand include TrainMe, Instant Education Solutions and Leadership Development NZ.

For more about Vision College visit www.visioncollege.ac.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media