The music-infused Conservatory Lab Charter School (CLCS) has had as many movements as a Beethoven symphony over the years— shifting locations five times over two decades as it sought a suitable space.

On March 30, it welcomed benefactors, alumni/a, and current students and parents to a reception to celebrate its permanent home— a state-of-the-art, $35 million building at Columbia Road and Quincy Street, which opened in 2020 just as the pandemic hit.

The facility houses students in grades 3-8 under the leadership of Head of School Nicole Mack, a former principal at Dorchester’s Edward Everett School.

Phil Jameson, Ann Carter, Marylou Sudders, and Brad Richardson, a former school trustee.

Staff members gave visitors tours of the new public charter school, where music is infused into every part of the curriculum. In this middle school hallway, cellos line the walls across from traditional lockers.

“We’ve been through a lot of buildings, but we finally have a home, and it wasn’t an easy thing to pull off,” said Gary Gut, a board member.

In May 2018, the school was told that its lease at Laboure College on the Carney Hospital campus would not be renewed, so it was decision time, and Gut said school officials decided to swing for the fences. With an aggressive fund-raising campaign, they raised $5 million to buy the land on Columbia Road from long time roofing company.

They then worked with Citizens Bank to finance construction needs.

Gregory Groover, Sr., a former chair of the Boston School Committee, serves as the chairman of the CLCS board.

“This is the gift that keeps on giving and will continue to give for many years and to thousands of students from this neighborhood,” he said.

State Rep. Chris Worrell praised the school for infusing music into every part of its curriculum.

“A well-rounded education is something every student from every background deserves,” he said. “It comes down to three things – choice, responsibility, and community. One of the most important things a parent can have is choice.”

Gut and Mack also announced they intend to begin a new effort: a new building for their grades K1-2 school on Hancock Street.
“We have a lot of work to do on that, but we have a team now with a track record,” said Gut.

Board Chair Rev. Dr. Gregory Groover, Sr. with Dr. Alexander Pham during the community celebration on Columbia Road.

Faraday Fontimus, artist in residence at Conservatory Lab Charter School, performing with his Fusion Quartet prior to the festivities.

Eighth grader Ricardo Baez plays a trumpet solo from Herbie Hancock’s “Watermelon Man” as Artist in Residence Faraday Fontimus gets ready to join in.

City Councillor Erin Murphy speaks with fourth grader – and the mayor of CLCS – Jaylea Mack.

Head of School Nicole Mack, Irene Dennison, Ryan Murphy, and Asst. Principal Alvin Cooper.

Richard Webster, of Jones Hill, and Elaine Chow, of Savin Hill.

State Rep. Chris Worrell, the guest speaker for the community celebration, praised the school for opening a new building and bringing music education front and center.

Board member Gary Gut described the long journey it took to get from having nowhere to go after not getting a renewed lease at Carney Hospital’s Laboure College.