Making Space for Music
Laurier's first giving day raises $175,000 for the Faculty of Music
International Music Day took place on Tuesday, Oct. 1, and Laurier celebrated by filling the Waterloo campus with pop-up performances from talented music students. The performances also celebrated an exciting and highly successful 24-hour “day of giving” to support Laurier’s Making Space for Music fundraising campaign, which will renovate and expand the Faculty of Music facilities and the gateway to Laurier from University Avenue.
The day saw music lovers unite to show unprecedented support for our Faculty of Music. Response was remarkable with more than 230 donors coming together to donate more than $175,000 in a single day!*
"In the heart of a healthy, thriving community, we must make space for music," said Glen Carruthers, dean of the Faculty of Music. "These donations to Laurier’s fundraising efforts to renovate our facility mean much more than donors will ever know. Their generous investments are an expression of their faith in young musicians and the belief that they can, and will, make a difference in the world."
One donor perfectly summed up the feelings of many: "Music is a gift that keeps on giving. Students, never stop sharing your gifts with the world and the world will be a better place for it!"
On Oct. 1, every donation made to Laurier’s Faculty of Music went further thanks to an anonymous donor who had made a $50,000 donation and challenged the university to use it to encourage other people to donate as well. Every one-time donation made on Oct. 1 had double the impact. And donors who signed up to give monthly to the faculty saw the first year of their giving tripled.
"Every dollar donated is going toward the future of young artists," said Graham, co-president of the Faculty of Music Student’s Association. "By giving, you will be supporting much-needed renovations to the music facility. But your generosity is not just about a building – it’s about opening up to see the power music has over our everyday lives."
The Making Space for Music campaign supports the renovation and expansion of Laurier’s current music building and will transform it into a vastly improved space for teaching, practicing, rehearsing and performing. An exceptional new entranceway and lobby, along with additional practice rooms, will provide more opportunities for music students to develop their craft. The enhancements will also enable the public to play a greater part in Laurier’s music programming, while creating a dramatic new gateway to Laurier’s Waterloo campus along University Avenue.
Making Space For Music is continuing. Learn how you can play your part.
* including donor-matching funds
