Facilities
The School of Music is housed in David P. Gardner Hall. Our state-of-the-art facilities include four concert halls that support live streaming, an opera production center, practice rooms, a music library dedicated to student success, and a music technology studio with the latest gear.
Open 7 days a week, 6 a.m. - 10 p.m., closed major federal/state holidays and university closure days.
David P. Gardner Hall
Constructed 1930-3, this neo-classic building served as the Student Union from that time until 1954 when the University opened the new Olpin Student Union.
Since 1954 the building has housed various tenants including Ballet and television station KUED as well as the School of Music. In 1980 the building was renamed for then University President David Pierpont Gardner. From 1997-2000 the building was totally renovated adding the Dumke Recital Hall, the McKay Music Library as well as improvements to the classrooms and the Thompson Chamber Music Hall. As part of this improvement project a new structure housing the Libby Gardner Concert Hall, new choral and instrumental rehearsals halls, practice rooms and additional studios was also added.
Libby Gardner Concert Hall
Libby Gardner Concert Hall contains 680 seats plus choir seating for 200 performers. The stage can accommodate over 80 musicians. A matched pair of Hamburg Steinway D concert grand pianos and the Lively-Fulcher pipe organ are on stage. Learn more.
Concert hall features
- 680 Seats plus choir seating for 200 performers
- Stage for over 80 musicians
- Matched pair of Hamburg Steinway D concert grand pianos
- Lively-Fulcher pipe organ
- Moveable acoustic curtain for adjustment of hall reverberation time.
Lively-Fulcher pipe organ
- Three manuals and pedal
- Tracker action with electric assist
- 64 ranks
- Builder: Lively-Fulcher Organs Washington, D.C.
- Organ Focus Article
- See here for specifications: Pipe Organ Database
Thompson Chamber Music Hall
The Thompson Chamber Music Hall has flexible seating for up to 250 guests. The hall provides an elegant setting for concerts, banquets ore receptions. Round or banquet tables and banquet chairs are available for various seating arrangements.
Dumke Recital Hall
The Dumke Recital Hall has 114 seats, a Hamburg Steinway B grand piano, a Steinway B piano and a harpsichord. The hall is a gift of the Katherine W. and Ezekiel R. Dumke Foundation.
Vocal Arts Center
The Vocal Arts Center is located on the corner of 100 South and University Street. MAP. The Vocal Arts Center houses the School of Music Opera Program.
Fine Arts West Recital Hall
Fine Arts West Recital Hall is located on the corner of 300 South and University Street. MAP. The Fine Arts West Recital Hall has seating for 175 people, a Steinway D grand piano and a Steinway B grand piano.
Kingsbury Hall
The historic Kingsbury Hall hosts the School of Music's spring opera and its collaborative Virtuoso Series.
Directions & Parking
Tickets
Kingsbury Hall Box Office at 801-581-7100 or tickets.utah.edu. Gardner Hall box office opens one hour before concert.
Concert Location
David Gardner Hall on Presidents Circle at the University of Utah campus houses four performing venues: Libby Gardner Concert Hall (second floor, north end), Dumke Recital Hall (fourth floor, south end), Thompson Chamber Music Hall (second floor, sour end), and Weight/Hales Choral Rehearsal Room (second floor, north end). Kingsbury Hall is directly east of David Gardner Hall. Fine Arts West Recital Hall is located on the corner of 300 South and University Street.
Free Parking
Wheelchair Access: Use the east atrium entrance and turn left for elevator, Please request wheelchair seating when ordering tickets.
Children: Admittance limited to eight years old and older, except where otherwise noted.
Latecomer Seating: Latecomers admitted at appropriate breaks in the concert.
Prohibited Items: Food and beverages, except water; flash photography; and recording. Please silence all electronic devices.
McKay Music Library
Established in 2001, McKay Music Library serves the students, faculty, and community of the University of Utah.The Library is named for Emma Ray Riggs McKay (1877-1970), a music student and graduate of The University of Utah. The Library is a component of the School of Music situated in Gardner Hall.
Sorenson Legacy Foundation Music Technology Studio
Completed in September of 2018, the SLF Music Technology Studio is a state-of-the-art resource for students studying music technology. The classroom contains 24 student working stations. Nine of those stations are outfitted with Kurzeweil full-size keyboards. There are two instructor stations, each outfitted with Sony Bravia X850D 75" TVs, Sony Blu-ray Players, Marantz Receivers (NR1608), and two speakers. The Studio is used primarily for teaching the School of Music’s music technology courses. When a class is not in session, the stations are available for general use.
Maurice Abravanel Studio
Housed in the McKay Music Library, the studio replicates the space in Maurice Abravanel's home and contains his conducting scores, books, personal memorabilia, photographs and his Steinway piano. Learn more.
Ida Smith Clark Green Room
A gift from the family of Ida Smith Clark, this elegantly decorated room is adjacent to the Dumke Recital Hall and serves that facility as the artist's Green Room.
Joyce T. Rice Green Room
The Rice Green Room is located just outside Libby Gardner Concert Hall’s stage door. It can be used for concert preparation, changing room, and a warm-up area. It includes a Steinway upright piano, dressing area, and large vanity and mirrors.