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The Winchester Community Music School broke ground last week for a new wing, named in honor of the school’s co-founder Corie Nichols.
“It’s so amazing to think that when the school opened in 1981, we had 30 students,” Nichols said. “Now we have more than 900!”
According to WCMS Executive Director Laurie Russell, this project was a “decade in the making, and is a direct investment in the school’s future and its mission: to provide outstanding, accessible music education and programming for all in Winchester and beyond.
“The expansion will include a state-of-the-art concert hall, new studios for ensembles and group classes, and space dedicated to music technology — improvements that will not only alleviate current overcrowding but also enable WCMS to meet the growing demand for its programs and to keep programmatic pace with the changing musical landscape.
“The design thoughtfully integrates the new wing with WCMS’s historic building, improving accessibility, safety, and functionality throughout the entire facility. The project is the result of a dynamic and collaborative process, with valuable input from WCMS faculty, leadership, donors, and community stakeholders who have supported the school throughout its 44-year history,” she added.
