$75 million MU music project recruiting donators

Three months after receiving a $10 million dollar donation from Rex and Jeanne Sinquefield, kicking off a fundraising campaign for a new music building, MU is still accruing donations from high-profile alumni. Sam Hamra, a graduate of MU’s business and law schools and chairman of Hamra Enterprises, donated $100,000 to the project.

Hamra made the donation in honor of his wife, June, who earned a Master of Arts in music history and voice from MU. Hamra Enterprises, of which June is the vice-chairman, operates 104 restaurants throughout the country.

“I wanted this gift to recognize the efforts that my wife put forth in helping students develop their vocal talents during the time she taught voice at the University of Missouri,” Hamra said in a press release. “June and I hope this gift will help music students achieve the goals they desire in life.”

The music school project is expected to cost $75 million. The school hopes to begin construction in 2016, but is still in the process of raising money from donors before beginning construction at the corner of Hitt Street and University avenue.

“The original gift from the Sinquefields was the leading gift that we can take to other investors,” said MU spokesman Nathan Hurst. “Since then, we can say ‘Hey, we’ve got some of this money raised— let’s keep the ball rolling.’”

Eventually, the university will ask the state to match funds raised for the new building. But to get to that point, they’ll first need to raise $35 million from private donations.

Hurst said the school’s annual fundraising campaign will help bring in the necessary money.

“The new music building is going to be a priority,” Hurst said. “But it’s a longer-term project. That won’t be completed in the next few months.”

Photo is a still from a video produced by the MU News Bureau.