UHS Band Room Expansion/Renovation
The 100th anniversary of the award-winning Urbana High School band program is in 2024. Rich in history and once under the guest baton of John Philip Sousa, the Urbana band program is a cornerstone of Urbana High School and the city itself. As with any longstanding program, periodic review of facility needs is necessary. Despite consistent growth and expansion in the Urbana High School band program and enrollment over time, the last renovation of the band rehearsal and storage place took place over fifty years ago. In order to assess current and future needs of the program, the Urbana School District #116 commissioned Isaksen, Glerum, Wachter Architects, LLC to conduct a feasibility study in Summer 2021. As a result, the UHS band room/storage addition will expand the space by more than 1360 square feet. The renovation will include replacement of the ceiling and HVAC, increase much-needed storage space, include an interior ramp with doors to the football field and add new acoustical panels to improve sound reduction. Construction is expected to start in March of 2023 and be complete in July of 2023.
Preliminary Construction Costs
The Urbana School District #116 received $200,000 in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds as seed money for the band room renovation/expansion. The total projected cost is $575,000, of which $100,000 will need to be secured through the capital campaign from public and private donors. Due to grant requirements, all funds will need to be secured before construction begins in March of 2023. Construction and all ESSER expenditures must be completed by September 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to our most commonly asked questions below:
What is included in the UHS Band Room Expansion Project?
This project will expand and improve rehearsal space, increase storage
space to protect and preserve instruments and equipment, and create a
much-needed interior ramp and wider entry access to the football field.
Additionally, we’ll be able to install proper acoustical tiles to optimize
sound quality and provide sound reduction.
Why is this needed?
Notwithstanding consistent growth in enrollment in UHS band ensembles
over time, the last renovation of the UHS band room took place 50 years
ago. Currently the UHS band room is considerably smaller than the
Urbana Middle School band room which was renovated more recently. In
addition, the band room expansion is greatly needed to improve
rehearsal space, preserve and protect valuable instruments, optimize
sound quality and provide sound reduction through acoustical tiles, and
create functional access to the football field.
When was the UHS Band Room last renovated?
The UHS band room has not been renovated in 50 years. The band room
was not renovated in the last renovation of Urbana High School.
Where is the other money coming from?
The UHS Band Program was awarded $200,000 in seed money through
an Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund grant to
expand the band room. As a public-private partnership, the UHS Bands
Room to Grow Committee is committed to raising $100,000 (of the
$575,000 project cost in cash and pledges by January 1, 2023). We are
pleased to share that we are more than halfway to this goal while still in
the silent phase of fundraising efforts. The USD116 Facilities Committee
has recommended using funds from the sales tax account to cover the
remaining $275,000 cost of the project.
Will this delay other Urbana School District capital improvement projects?
No. This project will not delay or impact any other facilities projects.
What about orchestra and choir?
This project is considered to be the first steps towards a vision for a long-
term fine arts renovation plan.
How are you promoting this fundraising campaign and reaching out to
prospective donors?
Prospective donors during the silent phase will primarily be contacted by
direct mail through the silent campaign. When the fundraising effort
opens to the public, donors will be reached through brochure, social
media, website, local news media, and word of mouth.
Will this project negatively impact the current Band Boosters’ fundraising
efforts?
No. The mission of the UHS Band Boosters is to raise funds and provide support
for the annual operating needs of the band program. The amount of funds
needed for the Band Room Expansion Project is well beyond the scope and
mission of the annual Boosters fundraising efforts. The Friends of the UHS Band
Room to Grow Committee is comprised largely of alumni parents, students, and
retired music directors to avoid negatively impacting the annual volunteer needs
and donations of the UHS Band Boosters. In addition, the Room to Grow
Committee is seeking donations primarily from former families and students to
avoid impacting the current fundraising needs of the UHS Band Boosters.
How are you identifying prospective donors?
The Urbana Bands Room to Grow Committee identified prospective donors for
the silent phase of the campaign and will be primarily contacting former alumni
through direct mail. The public phase will begin in early November and will be
promoted through social media, local news media, and word of mouth.
Are donations tax deductible?
Yes, all donations are 100% fully tax deductible.
How do I know that all of my donation will go towards the project?
Your donation to the Urbana Bands Room to Grow campaign is considered a
designated gift and is restricted for use towards the band room expansion project
How do I make a donation?
You can make a 100% tax deductible online donation using the Champaign
Urbana Schools Foundation (CUSF) secure site here. You may also use this site
to set up monthly and recurring donations. CUSF is a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt
organization.
Or, you can write a check to CU Schools Foundation with “UHS Band Room” in
the memo line and mail to CU Schools Foundation, PO Box 1166, Champaign, IL
61824-1166. The Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation EIN# is 37-1273798.
What if I want to make my donation over multiple years through a pledge?
Contact the Friends of Urbana Bands Room to Grow here to discuss other
donation or pledge options such as multi-year pledges and gifts in the amount of
$5000 or over.
When will this project begin and what is the expected completion date?
Due to the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency
Relief Fund grant, construction for the band room expansion project will begin in
March of 2023 and must be completed by September of 2023.
What will the band do during the construction period?
While the project is scheduled to begin in March of 2023, the project will be
staged to minimize disruptions to the band program during the school year.
Heavier construction will take place immediately after the last day of instruction
and is anticipated to be completed by the start of school in August. Staff will have
a contingency plan for alternative rehearsal space in the case of any project
delays.
What is the deadline for making a gift in this tax year?
The deadline for making your gift count in any given tax year is December 31.
Mailed gifts that are received after this date will still count, so long as they are
postmarked December 31 or earlier.
How Can I Be Involved?
The Urbana band program is grateful to you for your time and dedication to the
music education of all of our students. Please email us here with comments or
suggestions. Thank you!
Where Can I find more information about UHS Bands and the UHS Band
Boosters?
Click here to find more information about UHS Bands and the UHS Band
Boosters.
Questions?
Contact Friends of Urbana Bands Room to Grow for more information.
