GMC Construction Update

Weill gift will complete Green Music Center Concert Hall construction



A $12 million gift for the Green Music Center from philanthropists Joan and Sanford I. "Sandy" Weill will enable Sonoma State University to complete the spectacular concert hall and adjoining lawn and commons. Santa Rosa Symphony, as the Resident Orchestra, will be a major participant in the grand opening events planned for Fall 2012. The 2012-2013 performance season is the Symphony's 85th!

The photo here is a "before" shot of the entry to the Green Music Center concert hall. What will be called the Trione Courtyard, named in honor of Madelyne Trione, is fully funded and the design and contract documents for this area are being completed for bid. The courtyard work will include stone pavers, landscape tree pockets, lawn areas and furniture elements. It will be the site for pre-concert gathering of friends and colleagues and a soothing intermission location where patrons can enjoy refreshments and shared conversation.

Concert Hall chairs have arrived

The long-awaited shipment of custom-made chairs have been installed in the Joan and Sanford I. Weill Concert Hall, putting the Green Music Center that much closer to completion. According to the president of the 200-year-old Fancher Chair Co. which fabricated the custom-designed chairs, it took six full tractor trailer loads to ship the chairs to Sonoma State University from New York.

The chairs are built in eight different styles, some singly, others in sets of two or three. The styles include a slanted chair for the raked ground floor, illuminated chairs for the aisles and high chairs for the second row balcony. The built-in cushions have three layers of foam of different densities. For lumbar support, the slatted backs of chairs are curved both horizontally and vertically. To respect the acoustics of the hall, the flip seats contain special quiet hinges.

The final touches to the interior of the hall, consisting of the lighting and audio systems, are expected to be completed by Spring 2012.

In Fall 2012, the Santa Rosa Symphony will begin performing at the Green Music Center. The 2012-13 season marks the orchestra's 85th anniversary.

Symphony staff is currently involved in extensive preparation for seating our subscribers and patrons in the new hall.