Brodbeck Hall

Music will be heard again.

History

As the oldest building on Hood College’s campus, Brodbeck Music Hall has quite a storied history, both as part of the Frederick community and as an architectural treasure at Hood. Built just after the Civil War in 1868, the building was named for U.S. Congressman Andrew Brodbeck, who was a Hood trustee and the parent of two alumnae.

Brodbeck Hall served as a local community center, farmer’s residence, warehouse and even a florist shop before Hood purchased it in 1897, and it was the first building on Hood’s new campus when we moved from our original location in Downtown Frederick. For more than a century, Brodbeck has hosted innumerable lectures, concerts, events, parties, and so much more. In 1984, it became the primary residence for Hood’s music department and Summer Concert Series.

Tragically, in September 2021, a lightning strike to Brodbeck’s trademark cupola caused a fire in the upper floors, with ensuing severe water damage on all levels of the building. Since then, Brodbeck has been closed to the public, awaiting extensive repairs and renovations necessary to restore the building to its former glory.

The Challenge

To keep the historic integrity of the building while making improvements to serve the needs of our 21st century campus community and audiences, significant and costly upgrades are needed. Currently, there is only one bathroom on the main level and inadequate accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Furthermore, there are limited practice spaces and classrooms. Addressing these issues will be critical for any future use of Brodbeck.

Insurance will cover the expenses to restore the building to is state prior to the fire, but in order to leverage this unfortunate events into an opportunity to reimagine Brodbeck Music Hall as an accessible, inviting venue for events and academic endeavors, we must fully renovate and enhance the interior space.

Plans for Restoration and Renovations

The restoration and renovation of Brodbeck will include and accessible entry and elevator, additional restroom facilities, a restored concert hall and stage, and a new green room, practice rooms, classrooms and offices. There will also be enlarged capacity for the thriving student musical ensembles. Our goal is to create a premier event venue on campus and for the Frederick community, featuring enhanced HVAC and acoustics, catering space and even a bride room for weddings.

The first floor will primarily be used as an event space for concerts, performances, weddings and more, including appropriate support facilities. The green room will be kept on the lower level with storage.

The second floor will accommodate a set of offices, a seminar-style classroom and a practice room. On the third floor, the architect’s design has allocated space for additional classrooms, practice rooms, offices, storage and an ensemble space. Both spaces were previously underutilized due to inaccessibility; renovating these floors expands high-quality spaces for all instruction, beyond just music.

Philanthropic Opportunities

To renovate and restore Brodbeck, Hood College seeks a total of $8 million in grants and individual philanthropic support, with opportunities for naming. The total projected cost is $10.6 million, with insurance covering at least $2 million. The projected date for reopening is fall 2026.

Join Us

We invite you to join us in transforming Brodbeck Music Hall, preserving its sparkling historic beauty and enhancing its capabilities as a modern performing arts space at Hood. Our students and the community will thrive in an updated concert hall. Help us restore this facility to serve the Hood campus as well as every music lover in Frederick.

With your support, music will be heard again in Brodbeck.

For more information on supporting the return to music in Brodbeck Hall, please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at pergola@hood.edu or 301-696-3702.

	Brodbeck Hall at Hood College Could Reopen Next Year WFMD, Sep 20, 2022
	Lightning ruled cause of Hood College fire Frederick News-Post, Sep 15, 2021
	'Music will be heard again': Hood College plans to rebuild historic Brodbeck Hall after fire Frederick News-Post, Sep 9, 2021
	Fire breaks out in oldest building on Hood College campus Frederick News-Post, Sep 9, 2021
"Hood College will reopen for its thirtieth year at 10 o’clock this morning with exercises at Brodbeck Hall..."	20-40-100 Years Ago - Sept. 28 Frederick News Post, Sep 28, 2022