The Opera Media Center houses a collection of over 1,000 CDs, LPs, and DVDs donated by the Cusack family.
In the TCU Opera Studio, students take their talents to new heights with the innovative Opera Media Center.
In the Secrest-Wible Building, the hub of the opera program, Dr. Corey Trahan, Director of the TCU Opera Studio and Twyla Robinson, assistant professor of Professional Practice in Voice, repurposed a classroom to house an invaluable music collection.
The collection of over 1,000 CDs, LPs, and DVDs was generously donated by the Cusack family of Austin, Texas.
“Mr. Cusack had a distinguished career as a professional opera singer, while Mrs. Cusack held an administrative role at the Houston Grand Opera,” explained Trahan.
A classroom was repurposed to house the invaluable music collection.
Once pictures of the media center were shared on social media, two more families contacted Trahan about donating their operatic libraries and memorabilia. Mrs. Gayle Hardgrave of Killeen, Texas and Mr. John Forestner of Fort Worth donated an additional 1,000+ CDs and DVDs.
The media center has evolved into both a valuable resource and a vibrant social center for students to collaborate and immerse themselves in opera’s rich history.
“Opera is a centuries-old art form, and the primary way singers have learned performance practice has been through watching and listening to great performers,” said Faith Adams, a vocal performance senior. “The creation of the media center and the donation of so many opera materials have afforded our program a hub where students can continue to study this tradition.”
Trahan and Robinson plan to host a speaker series in the media center featuring distinguished School of Music faculty and guest artists.