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!
"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
“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.
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.
Oct. 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.
Jan. 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.
Nov. 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.
Jan. 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.
Dec. 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.
Oct. 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.
Oct. 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.
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
Contact us to learn about how you can continue to support Laurier Music student success.
