Music suite construction

Parts of the newly reconstructed Performing Arts suite at Pioneer Middle School are scheduled to open for instruction this week.

Officials said the orchestra room will open Thursday, Nov. 21, followed by the band room on Friday, Nov. 22. 

Director of Buildings and Grounds Nicholas Titus said the rooms will be available with temporary lighting while work on the permanent lighting is completed in the coming weeks. Finishing touches such as molding and cabinetry are also in the works.

The choral room will open soon; sound system and other finishing touches are being added.

Members of the Pioneer Board of Education toured the revamped facility with Mr. Titus following the Nov.  19 regular meeting. Also present were Pioneer administrators, clerk of the works Dan Drozda, and Jeff Nunn of architects Gordon Jones Associates. 

Work on the facility began before the end of the 2018-19 school year, as part of $10 million in improvements approved by district voters in July 2018.

The interior was completely gutted, and new walls, ceilings and infrastructure were installed. Plans called not only for expanded and updated instructional space, but new teacher offices, practice/lesson rooms, upgraded technology, storage, and bathrooms. 

Middle school choral teachers have used the building's large group instruction room in the interim, while band and orchestra teachers have led students over to the high school for daily lessons.

"Those teachers have shown a lot of dedication and put in a lot of steps, especially bringing their students to the high school. The students have also been well behaved," said middle school principal Melissa Prorok.

Ms. Prorok also praised Mr. Drozda for putting in long hours to make the project a success.

Mr. Titus summed up his reaction to the improvements: "I would say it far exceeded expectations."