HISTORY: The 560 Music Center was built in 1930 as the Shaare Emeth Temple. This beautiful Art Deco building was home to the Saint Louis Conservatory and School for the Arts (CASA) from 1974-1994. Following the merger by the St. Louis Symphony and CASA in 1994, the building housed the St. Louis Symphony Community Music School. In September 2001, the Community Music School joined with Webster University. In October 2006, Washington University took possession of the facility, and the renovated facility opened to our students in the fall of 2007.

FUNCTION: Our applied music teaching, rehearsals, and many of our performances take place at the 560 Music Center.  The building contains three performance spaces that can accommodate solo recitals to full orchestra concerts: the E.Desmond Lee Concert Hall seats 1,115, the Ballroom/Theater up to 300, and the Recital Hall 75.  This facility was designed specifically for the needs of our applied music program and includes faculty studios, four ensemble rehearsal rooms, an instrument storage room, practice modules, and a comfortable student lounge.  If you have questions about the Department of Music or the applied music facility, stop in room 107 at the 560 Music Center and ask our administrative staff.

Building Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 a.m
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.

Administrative Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m