Myra Mayman, director of the office for thearts, yesterday praised the finished product.

"Memorial Hall never worked well forrehearsal...Lowell is flexible," Mayman said.

Although she said she thinks "it will be a bearto schedule," Mayman said "it's a terrific space"and is excited the space has been "planned as aplace for the Arts."

Lowell Hall will not be used for dramaticperformances because set pieces cannot be nailedinto the stage. But musical and other performancesgroups, such as the Harvard Summer Dance Program,have already started to use the building, which isintended to relieve the shortage ofrehearsal/performance space expected when AlumniHall in Memorial Hall is permanently converted toa first-year eating area.

Beverly J. Taylor, associate director of choralactivities, has already held two rehearsals of theHarvard-Radcliffe Summer Chorus in Lowell.

"Down the road, it could be a good performancespace, especially for small groups such as closeharmony groups," Taylor said. "There's a nice warmsound, and the lighting is much better than, say,in Sever."

Taylor said that she is not sure which choralgroups will be using the building for rehearsalcome fall, but that the Harvard-Radcliffe band andorchestra will be practicing in it.

Lowell Hall will also provide some space forclasses and seminars.

"Students are really going to enjoy the spaceand its use," Lichten said. "It's a beautiful butcomfortable building.