MADISON, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS) -- The first melodies echoed through the Mead Witter School of Music’s Hamel Music Center Friday as students, staff and donors enjoyed several free concerts during the center's opening weekend.

UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank cut the ribbon on the new space on Friday, while on Saturday the UW-Madison Symphony, chorus, faculty and soloists put on a free concert. Another free concert is planned at 1 p.m. Sunday.

The Hamel Music Center is large enough for the the Varsity Band, Concert Band, and Symphony Orchestra to have their own practice and performance space. Music students will still attend classes at the Mosse Humanities Building and in historic Music Hall. The building is home to three performance halls: the 660-seat Mead Witter Foundation Concert Hall, the 300-seat Collins Recital Hall, and the Sing Man & Florence Lee/Annette Kaufman Rehearsal Hall. There is also a recording studio.

The Hamel Music Center was built entirely with private funds.

“We have been overwhelmed with the support and generosity of our donors—from around the corner and around the world,” says Susan Cook, the Mead Witter School of Music’s Pamela O. Hamel/Board of Advisors Director.

The Hamel Music Center is located at 740 University Avenue in Madison.

As a gift to the community, admission to the opening weekend’s public concerts will free but tickets will be required. To learn more, click here.