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Music Lit

Embracing Talent at the University of Florida
and Abroad

On Monday, March 24, 2008, I attended the University of Florida New Music Ensemble in the University Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. I really enjoyed the variety of music from several talented students from the University of Florida. Put on by the College of Fine Arts, the performance was conducted by Jonathan Helton and Paul Richards. This concert was the first time that I have ever been inside the University Auditorium. Just from walking between classes for the past two years of being a student at the University of Florida, the University Auditorium has been one of my favorite of the campus’ many artful architectural designs. What I have always admired most of this beautiful brick building as I stroll along the Southerly-facing sidewalk which runs down Newell and is parallel to the building, is its beautiful Gothic cathedral spires that climb above me—narrowly missing the majestic oak canopy and rising strongly beside the University of Florida’s daily used Century Tower. It is strange to think that even though I have been a student for the three semesters before taking this course, and lived on campus for all of them nonetheless, that it has not been until taking this course that I actually ventured inside this building. It seemed to me that it had to be moderately old and important, but only for two reasons. The first reason came from its very name: the University Auditorium. Being on a campus the size of UF, it seems that something whose title indicates a purpose would truly have a great importance in the life of this campus, whether it is now or in the past. The second reason why I gave it higher than average esteem was its strategic location, which obviously denotes significance. Just down wind of the Plaza of the Americas and bordering Turlington Plaza, the Music building, Carlton Auditorium, the University Auditorium is in a central location on campus and pin-pointed next to the Century Tower...