New multi-million pound development for Belgium Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel

Wednesday 9th October 2013

The Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Belgium has confirmed the development of a new multi-million pound building, which will be a literal backdrop to their original Art Deco building. Designed by architects Olivier Bastin, Sébastien Cruyt and landscape architect Jean Noël Capart, the new development will include:

– State of the art concert hall with acoustics built to the level of an international hall

– Artist’s global village

– 20 residential studios for students, each with its own grand piano sleeping platform

– 2 additional music studios

– Re-development of the park

An international press conference is currently being held at the Chapel to discuss details of the building and what it means for the future of music in Belgium.

The Chapel has a unique approach to music education. As one of the first to have a residential programme for its students, having started 75 years ago, they also have an impressive array of artists in residence including Maria João Pires, Gary Hoffman, Augustin Dumay and the Artemis Quartet, and even offer their students recording contracts and career integration into their studies.

The Chapel currently hosts 46 young artists from all over the world, from Belgium to Latin America via the United States, Australia, Japan, China, South Korea, Russia and many European countries. The brand new building will ensure that the chapel will continue to be a unique hub for musical life and creativity in Europe.

QEMC