Whitehead Hall, Longwood’s new, state-of-the-art music building, slated to open in 2028

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We are profoundly grateful through all the years to the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation, one of the great champions of higher education across the country-stewarding the spirit of such a great Virginian and patron of the arts.

President W. Taylor Reveley IV

Last month, Longwood's Board of Visitors took formal action to name the new building Lettie Pate Whitehead Hall, to honor the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation and the legacy of businesswoman and philanthropist Lettie Pate Whitehead, a native Virginian and acclaimed supporter of the arts and higher education throughout her life. The foundation's yearly gifts to Longwood first began in 1982, now totaling in value over $10 million through the decades-and it is increasing its yearly contribution for the university, new funding which will be used for scholarships dedicated to music students.

The Board of Visitors also named the atrium of Whitehead Hall, set to be the elegant welcome and reception area in the new building, in honor of longtime Longwood music faculty members Dr. Lisa Kinzer, the current chair of the music department, and her husband, Dr. Charlie Kinzer, who retired in 2024.

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And when Whitehead Hall opens, it is such a fitting delight that visitors will be greeted into Kinzer Atrium. Lisa and Charlie have imbued the music department and the university altogether with their passion and energy throughout their careers.

President W. Taylor Reveley IV

"We are profoundly grateful through all the years to the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation, one of the great champions of higher education across the country-stewarding the spirit of such a great Virginian and patron of the arts. We also extend our appreciation to the General Assembly for their support of this incredible building that will be a transformative part of not only Longwood's music program but also the Prince Edward County community in providing space for future musicians, teachers, and patrons of the arts in Virginia. And when Whitehead Hall opens, it is such a fitting delight that visitors will be greeted into Kinzer Atrium. Lisa and Charlie have imbued the music department and the university altogether with their passion and energy throughout their careers," said President W. Taylor Reveley IV.

The new building was first envisioned to be situated at the Main Street site in Longwood's 2015 master-planning process, as an important upgrade from the outdated Wygal Hall, the current home of the music department, which was built in 1971. The university has the longest history of music education of any Virginia public institution, with strong emphasis on training music educators dating back to the 1800s. When Longwood was founded in 1839, music lessons were part of the original instructional offerings, among the earliest in music nationwide by any institution of higher learning. Beginning in 1927, education students at Longwood could specialize in music education, and the first formal music major graduated in 1930.

"A vibrant and thriving music department is one of the hallmarks of a great institution," Reveley said. "At Longwood, music has been woven into the university's fabric from the beginning, and this grand new facility reflects our enduring commitment to the arts. It will provide students with first-class spaces to learn, perform and grow-and will deepen the strong connections between Longwood and Farmville as students, faculty and neighbors come together to experience the power of performances."

Construction of the more than 60,000-square-foot building is expected to be completed by the fall semester of 2028.

"The fact that a new facility dedicated to the arts is being supported at this moment in history is truly incredible," said Lisa Kinzer, professor of applied piano, piano literature and pedagogy. "President Reveley, Provost Smith, former Dean Roger Byrne and everyone involved each step of the way throughout the careful planning all have recognized the value of continuing and expanding our strong music program here at Longwood. This demonstrates not only support from the university but stands as an act of faith in our program from the state. It's inspiring."

The new building will be situated along the east side of central campus across Iler Field from Dorrill Dining Hall. The classical brick and stone façade will blend with and enhance Longwood's historic architecture. Kinzer said the location of the new facility is important because it will serve as a gateway and connector, easily accessible from downtown Farmville as well as from Brock Commons.

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I think the music department has always been that-a meaningful bridge between the community and the university. Not only am I excited for our students and our faculty to move into this building, but bringing people in for concerts is going to be so exciting and something that everybody can look forward to.

Lisa Kinzer, music department chair

"I think the music department has always been that-a meaningful bridge between the community and the university," Kinzer said. "Not only am I excited for our students and our faculty to move into this building, but bringing people in for concerts is going to be so exciting and something that everybody can look forward to."

Each year, more than 600 students are taught in Wygal, and the new building is expected to accommodate both music majors and talented non-music majors who love playing and performing. Kinzer said that in addition to the much-needed new classrooms in Whitehead Hall, there will be dedicated rehearsal spaces specially designed for choral and instrumental ensembles, with state-of-the-art acoustics. Rehearsal rooms will be isolated from each other, preventing noise from carrying from one group to another. In addition to rehearsal spaces for choral and instrumental groups, there will be a dedicated percussion suite, and practice rooms for piano students will be outfitted with grand pianos.

Kinzer said she looks forward to further deepening ties with the community through the new facility. The Longwood Center for Community Music, which engages young people in vocal, piano and string instrument instruction, will have space to grow in the new building.

The 500-seat concert hall will feature adjustable acoustics, such as sound panels, that can either absorb sound or reflect it, depending on what type of music is being performed. It will be an ideal venue for concerts, including by the Richmond Symphony, which has brought annual performances to Farmville for more than a decade through its endowed partnership with Longwood.