Jonathan Moore is a three-time Aspen Music Festival and School student. The 23-year-old viola player plays his instrument in one of the new practice facilities at the Bucksbaum Campus up Castle Creek.
He lived in the Marolt housing complex his first year. At that time, the convenience of practicing in his room outweighed going up to the campus.
“Things were a little musty at times,” Moore said of the old spaces. “It smelled a little off.”
The Bucksbaum campus is used by both Aspen Country Day School and the Aspen Music Festival and School. Over the past four years, renovations have slowly been made to performance spaces and offices.
“I can’t tell you what a joy it is to be with all of you on this day,” said Alan Fletcher, president and CEO of the Aspen Music Festival and School, at a ceremony on Monday. “It’s one we’ve been looking forward to for many, many years.”
The $70 million project was a renovation of practice facilities, administrative spaces and Hurst Hall.
Josh Wolman, the headmaster of Aspen Country Day School, said it’s a new era for the two schools.
“We feel so incredibly lucky to be partnered with Alan and the Music Festival and School, and we all care deeply about education,” he said.
Moore said he plans to use the practice spaces more than he has before.
“I spend considerably more time up here than I ever did before,” he said.
Now, students at both institutions are learning in a new environment set along the banks of Caste Creek.
