Making Space for Music

You Made Space for Music – and we’re grateful


Music fills every corner of the new Savvas Chamberlain Music Building where Laurier students are thriving and forming meaningful connections with each other and the world around them. This is a new space truly worthy of the talent, energy and creativity within it. 

Read the completed project update!

Hear from Cynthia Johnston Turner, Dean, Faculty of Music, on this transformative renovation.
Donors
Total square footage of building renovations
Square footage of new spaces
Quote Image
"Many people worked on this project and spent a lot of time in its planning. I believe it will bring so many people together. Music should be accessible to everyone in our society.”
Savvas Chamberlain, lead donor

Remembering Dr. Glen Carruthers

Headshot of Glen Carruthers“In these complex times, music is a social and cultural catalyst for communities worldwide. Laurier is a vital partner in the local, national and international musical community. We urgently need to re-design our facility so that it truly reflects and supports the tremendous musical talent at Laurier. Your support is critical to our success.” Glen Carruthers, former dean, Faculty of Music

Making Space for Music was the passion project of Glen Carruthers, dean of the Faculty of Music from 2010 to 2020. A leader deeply loved for his genuine care for students and big vision for the faculty, Dr. Carruthers did not live to see the completion of his vision. Sadly, he passed away at the end of 2020. He will be forever remembered by those who knew him and his legacy was honoured by donors who supported the Glen Carruthers Practice Studios within the Savvas Chamberlain Music Building.

“Glen’s genuine and inspiring leadership during his time as dean has been evident to all.” Robert Astley, lead donor
“We are honoured to support the Carruthers Practice Studios in recognition of his vision.” Judith Astley, lead donor

The Timeline

June 2017 to October 2018

Laurier leadership, working closely with the late Dr. Glen Carruthers, dean, Faculty of Music, lays the groundwork strategy for the Making Space for Music project and campaign.

May 14, 2019 

The campaign is officially launched at the Making Space for Music Gala, held in Lazaridis Hall, with a special concert featuring the Penderecki String Quartet and Soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian.

October 1, 2019

Making Space for Music Giving Day with seven pop up Music student performances across campus and email/social media communication raises more than $175,000 for the campaign.

January 2020

Lead donors Savvas and Christine Chamberlain and the Savvas Chamberlain Family Foundation make a transformative gift of $4 million to the Making Space for Music campaign and name the Savvas Chamberlain Music Building and the Savvas Chamberlain Family Foundation Lobby.

November 2020 

A second Giving Day in honour of Glen Carruthers raised $770,000. 255 donors included Laurier alumni, staff, faculty and students, along with community members, friends and colleagues of Dr. Carruthers from universities across Canada and around the world.

July 2021

Dr. Cynthia Johnston Turner becomes the new Dean of the Faculty of Music and takes on the stewardship of the project.

January 2022

Laurier’s Board of Governors gives approval to break ground on the renovations.

April 27, 2022

The Making Space for Music Groundbreaking is held on Laurier’s Waterloo campus – the first in-person event on campus since March 2020.

May 2022

Early stages of construction begin with interior demolitions, followed by exterior demoltions in June.

December 2, 2022

Donors are invited to an Open Dress Rehearsal with Q&A for the Faculty of Music Holiday Gala Concert featuring the Laurier Symphony Orchestra; Percussion Ensemble; VOX Experimental Ensemble; Wind Ensemble; Concert Choir; Maureen Forrester Singers; and Opera Laurier Singers.

April, 2023

The City of Waterloo City Council approved $350,000 to support a new outdoor amphitheater in front of the Savvas Chamberlain Music Building on University Avenue.

October 29, 2023

Laurier holds a Making Space for Music fundraising concert, Steven Page at Laurier with the Penderecki String Quartet, featuring Steven Page, Kevin Fox, Craig Northey, Isaac Page (BMus ’18), Penderecki String Quartet, James Campbell, Faculty of Music Orchestra and faculty musicians.

October 29, 2023

Save Your Seat campaign launches. Gifts to Making Space for Music allow donors to name a refurbished seat in the Maureen Forrester Recital Hall. Over the next year, more than 200 donors gave to raise more than $100,000.

Winter, 2024

The Savvas Chamberlain Music Building is re-opened! The first concert in the Mezzanine is a performance by VOX Experimental Ensemble. The first concert in Maureen Forrester Recital Hall features the Brass Ensemble.

May, 2024

The WLU Alumni Association makes a gift of $400,000 and names the Laurier Alumni Association Practice Studios.

June 6, 2024

Ribbon-cutting on the newly renovated Savvas Chamberlain Music Building; the Chamberlains announce an additional gift of $1 million.

A special thank you to these high-impact donors:

Savvas and Christine Chamberlain

The Savvas Chamberlain Family Foundation

Bob and Judy Astley

Eileen Mercier '68, '13

City of Waterloo

WLU Alumni Association

Staebler Insurance

Nancy Walker and Bryce Walker

David Seyler ’71 and Susan Seyler ‘74

Hartman and Brenda Krug

Anna Woerner

Ronald and Shirley Levene

R. Howard Webster Foundation

Joyce and John Pollock

Marilyn Murray

Doreen and Bill Motz

Family and friends of CJ Moore in loving memory

Lorna Marsden '08 and Edward B. Harvey

Niru Philip '97 and Chantal Philip

The Ross and Doris Dixon Charitable Foundation

Kathryn Jeffrey '91 and Kevin Bradshaw '91

Judy Horman and David Horman

Marnie Walker

Good Foundation Inc.

The Musagetes Fund,
 — Waterloo Region Community Foundation

Kimberly Barber

Cynthia Johnston Turner and Peter Turner

The Ken Murray Fund,
 — Waterloo Region Community Foundation

WLU Alumni Choir

The Carruthers Family - in memory of Glen

Dr. Kirsten L. Yri

Chris Georghiades

Thank You for Making Space for Music

Please contact our team to learn about how you can continue to support Laurier Music student success.

Kathryn Jeffrey (BMus '91)
Associate Director, Legacy Giving & Development (Music)
Development - Faculties
226.220.5609

yellow-white-oval-msfm-logo.png