Referred to as ‘the Beehive’, have you heard the story of the Music Practice Building? It is a place where countless musicians honed their skills. Let me tell you about this unique building. The Music Practice Building stands on the northeast corner of Elgin Road and Sherman Avenue. Its address is 1823 Sherman Avenue in Evanston.
The Music Practice Building has a rich history. It was originally built in 1915 to meet the practice needs of a growing number of music students. Initially, it stood on the south side of Emerson Street. That was between Orrington Avenue and Sheridan Road. In 1924, it was moved to its current location.
But why the nickname ‘the Beehive’? The Music Practice Building was considered virtually soundproof. It was the first of its kind in the world. This allowed many students to practice at once. The result was a buzzing sound much like a beehive.
Imagine the sounds that have filled this building over the years. Pianos thundering, sopranos vocalizing, violins fiddling. Students laughing and striving for perfection. Beethoven sonatas and Puccini arias. Gershwin preludes and Joplin rags. Scales, arpeggios. They poured from its open windows.
Great jazz artists like Orbert Davis practiced here. Patricia Barber, Bunky Green, and Rufus Reid all spent time in the Music Practice Building. Lyricist Sheldon Harnick of “Fiddler on the Roof” fame also graced its halls. Pianist Ralph Votapek also practiced here. He was the first winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Soprano Nancy Gustafson and members of eighth blackbird and Ensemble Dal Niente all contributed to the building’s legacy. Thousands of other students have passed through its doors.
Before it was a music building, it was a women’s college and dormitory. It was built in 1874. In 1940, it was refashioned as the music school. The practice rooms were once bedrooms. They had paper-thin walls. The pianos were often in worse shape than the building. If you were practicing Mozart, you could hear Prokofiev next door.
Some rooms were divided in half. Students had to walk through your space. This happened while you were trying to play Chopin. This constant interruption made concentration difficult.
Despite its flaws, the Music Practice Building holds cherished memories. It is a place where dreams took flight. Young musicians aspired to be like their heroes. Arthur Rubinstein, Vladimir Horowitz. George Gershwin and Oscar Levant. Art Tatum and Bill Evans all inspired students here.
The thrill of immersing themselves in music took hold in these hallways. The building won’t be torn down. It has been placed on the historic register in Evanston. Northwestern will find other uses for it. Though outdated, its uniqueness is deeply valued. The Music Practice Building will not be easily forgotten. Nor should it be.