by Sue Britt
staff editor

Construction on Interstate 70 that will include a new entrance to UM-St. Louis has caused the instrumental division of the music department to have to relocate again.

Sam Darandari, director of Campus Planning and Construction, said construction will straighten out Interstate 70, reroute and raise Florissant Road and provide direct onramps into the campus.

William Richardson, assistant professor of music, said that the instrumental group has been asked to leave the building sometime between December and March.

"I know that we will be in this building a shorter period of time than anticipated," he said.

Last March the instrumental group was moved into new facilities on Florissant Road. Richardson said at the time of that move that the instrumental program had grown to the point that the music department no longer sufficient had space for it.

Richardson said that the Florissant Road building has no facilities for practice rooms. He said that without rehearsal space within one area, it has been difficult for music students to have access to their instruments at times because they are not in the same building as the practice rooms.

Richardson was informed of the decision to move the instrumental division to Marillac Hall Thursday. He said he is not yet sure if practice rooms will be available to them there.

"That's the only thing that's in question," Richardson said. "Having practice rooms is essential in preparing for rehearsal and performances. That's something we gave up [to move into the new facility on Florissant Road]. The students are at a disadvantage now."

Richardson said that the division will be provided with comparable space at Marillac Hall but is unsure if practice rooms will be provided there.

"[W]ith the campus being in financial difficulty, the powers that be are somewhat reluctant to commit money," Richardson said, "It's a financial issue, whether [practice rooms will be provided]. It's a heating, cooling, and lighting issue."

Richardson said this is a temporary space, and with that in mind they are willing to accept it.

"I have every confidence in the chair and vice chancellor Schuster that there will be at least a space where we can work," Richardson said. "It won't be the kind of space and the kind of facility that the average college band would have."

Richardson said he hopes eventually the music department will be provided with at least one rehearsal hall and practice facility and an area for offices for the administration in the department.

Robert Samples, director of University Communications, said current long-term plans call for moving the department into the General Services Building. He said that when the Student Center opens in April and people and departments begin moving in, there will be "a domino effect" regarding available space.

"There's a lot of shifting of space," Samples said, "that will occur within the next year."