JUNIOR JEFF STOUT, a physics major, has been playing cello for nine years. Music has always been a part of his life and is something he has always enjoyed.

The Houston Fine Arts Center, the Lamont School of Music’s previous home, was a 25-minute drive from the main campus. As a student at the University of Denver last year, Stout was unable to have access to practice rooms.

“I would practice on occasion if I could find a vacant lobby to practice in. But that was rare.”

Now, with the recent move of the Lamont School of Music to the University Park campus, Stout not only has access to practice rooms, but access to music faculty, musical concerts and a brand new state of the art music building.

Planning and designs for the new music building, on the corner of South University Boulevard and East Iliff Avenue, began two years ago. The building opened last month.

“We have built a world class building,” said Joe Docksey, director of the Lamont School of Music. “We have combined superb acoustics with aesthetically pleasing architectural elements to create a music building that is among the finest in the nation.”

The Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts, Lamont’s new home, offers students and faculty space to perform, attend concerts and learn. There’s a keyboard lab with 21 instructional pianos, a large music library, versatile classrooms, a recording studio wired to each performing space in the building and penthouse practice rooms.

Six virtual practice rooms, which will allow students to recreate the acoustics of large concert halls or cathedrals, will open in the spring. Also due to open in the spring are a 250-seat recital hall for student and faculty concerts, a 1,000-seat concert hall with a double-lift pit orchestra, and a 250-seat theatre to serve as the main stage for DU productions.

These state-of-the-art features have created excitement.

“I knew when faculty and students saw the plans for the new center that there would be much enthusiasm,” said Docksey.

This enthusiasm for the new building is helping Lamont reach its goal of attracting 300 music majors.

Elisbeth Williams, a freshman, decided to attend the University of Denver because the Newman Center was more sophisticated than any other music building she had seen at other universities.

“I love how modern this building is. The acoustics and technology are amazing. It is very apparent that a lot of time and thought went into this,” said Williams. “The music building, with the unbelievable technology and beauty, inspires me. I believe that this building will motivate other students to a new level of performance and expertise.”

Even though he is not a music major, Jeff Stout loves the convenience of having the new music building on campus.

“I think it’s absolutely great that you can walk five minutes instead of driving 20 minutes to go see music concerts or get to lessons,” Stout said.

But the convenient location of the new building is not the only part Stout loves.

“I believe that music is a vital part of education. And now, all DU students and faculty have the opportunity to learn about and enjoy great music. I know I will take advantage of this great new building and all it has to offer,” he said.

Already the music department has become part of the main campus community. The staff has grown for the non-majors found in ensembles and the choir and jazz bands.

In response, the music majors are enthusiastic at the chance to be at the main campus.

Sophomore Megan Sullivan said, “I can be part of the campus.” Like many of the students that began their first year at the Park Hill campus, one of the problems Sullivan felt was the seclusion.

“We’ve kind of lost our community,” said Sullivan. “We don’t get to know the freshmen anymore.”

The transition was made easier since the majority of music students are housed in Nelson Hall. Unlike Centennial Towers or Centennial Halls, Nelson Hall is close to most of the main campus buildings.

Any transition problems should dissolve as the building is finished. The June Swaner Gates Concert Hall will open in April and the Hamilton Recital Hall anticipates a pipe organ to be installed by June.

Along with the other buildings rising on the main campus, the Newman Center for the Performance Arts is becoming another DU landmark.

“We feel inspired by this space,” said Dr. Catherine Sailer, director of the Lamont Chorale and assistant professor. “It’s good to be here at DU.”