The following is excerpted from the Church News. To read the full article, CLICK HERE. 

Brigham Young University’s newest addition might not be the largest of its kind, but it’s “one of the very best,” commented Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

While a minority of universities are dedicating entire buildings to music studies, BYU’s new 171,000-square-foot Music Building — which features state-of-the-art practice and performance spaces — “attests to the value that Brigham Young University and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints attach to music and its vast potential for good in society and for the blessing of the human soul,” said Elder Christofferson during the facility’s dedication on Wednesday, April 16.

Speaking from a pulpit on the center stage of the 1,000-seat Concert Hall in the new building — and flanked by BYU student instrumentalists — Elder Christofferson expressed gratitude in his dedicatory prayer for the power of music and its ability to “gladden the heart, lift the troubled and weary spirit, speak peace to the soul, grant courage to the righteous and then foster joy in Thy children. We are grateful for the power of music to ennoble us and glorify Thee.”

Elder Christofferson asked the Lord to accept the structure as a gift and worthy offering. “Grant that we may glorify Thee and Thy Beloved Son in music and song and in our very lives. May all that transpires in this Music Building and in the School of Music and in the lives of its faculty and students serve to strengthen faith, strengthen testimony and strengthen conversion,” he prayed.

Accompanying Elder Christofferson were his wife, Sister Kathy Christofferson; Elder Clark G. Gilbert, a General Authority Seventy and Church commissioner of education; and BYU President C. Shane Reese and his wife, Sister Wendy Reese. Academic Vice President Justin Collings conducted the meeting.

In addition to remarks by Elder Christofferson and President Reese, the program for the dedication included a musical number by the Chorale Chamber Ensemble, as well as a number by the BYU Philharmonic Orchestra.

To read the full article, CLICK HERE.