FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2007
Media Contact: Micki Leventhal, 312.344.7383, 773.484.3533 (cell) or mleventhal@colum.edu or Priscilla L. Hunter, 312.344.7805, 312.286.6624 (cell) or phunter@colum.edu
NOTE: Interviews available.
CHICAGO, IL – Officials from Sherwood Conservatory of Music, and Columbia College Chicago announced today that they have signed a memorandum of understanding outlining the merger the two educational institutions. The parties will undertake a period of due diligence prior to the formal affiliation agreement being signed.
The Conservatory will maintain its mission and identity and will be known as The Sherwood Conservatory of Music at Columbia College Chicago.
Sherwood, which was founded in 1895 by pianist and music educator William Hall Sherwood is located at 1312 S. Michigan Avenue, next door to Columbia’s Dance Center and just three blocks south of the arts and media college’s music department and concert hall. The conservatory provides music education to nearly 1,000 families, with students ranging in age from pre-school to senior citizens.
The merger with Columbia, where the music department provides both undergraduate and graduate education to more than 400 students in composition, performance and jazz studies, will enable both institutions to maximize efficiencies in administrative areas including facilities use, engage in valuable educational and programming exchanges between faculties and deepen community outreach efforts.
The merger of the two organizations is expected to be completed by summer.
Sherwood Conservatory of Music, founded in 1895 by celebrated pianist and music education pioneer William Hall Sherwood, functioned as a college of music during most of its history. In 1986, the school phased out its collegiate programs and emerged as a community-focused institution committed to meeting the diverse music education needs of Chicago’s urban population. Today, Sherwood – a member of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts – provides a comprehensive program of music education for amateur musicians of all ages, as well as for professional musicians and music educators seeking continuing education. Three-quarters of Sherwood’s students are primary and secondary school age, and students of African, Asian and Latino descent make up 60 percent of the conservatory’s student body.
Columbia College Chicago, an urban institution committed to open access, opportunity and excellence in higher education, provides innovative degree programs in the visual, performing, media and communication arts to more than 11,000 students in more than 120 undergraduate and graduate programs, including film & video, art & design, arts management, television, radio, music, interactive multimedia – all within a liberal arts context. Founded in 1890 as a communications school for women, Columbia College Chicago was revisioned in 1963 as a liberal arts college with a “hands-on minds-on” approach to arts and media education and a progressive social agenda. Under the current leadership of President Warrick L. Carter, Ph.D., Columbia is aggressively pursuing this mission. Columbia is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Universities. Its teacher education program is accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education. For further information visit www.colum.edu.