Support the Green Music Center

On March 22, 2011, Sonoma State University announced a $12 million gift for the Green Music Center from philanthropists Joan and Sanford I. "Sandy" Weill, enabling the University to complete the spectacular concert hall and adjoining lawn and commons performance venues. This makes it possible to officially open the Joan and Sanford I. Weill Hall, Lawn, and Commons for the 2012-2013 season with a grand opening celebration planned for Fall 2012.

Robert Cole, a well-known arts presenter and conductor who led UC Berkeley's Cal Performances for 23 years, has been appointed artistic consultant and will work with Jeff Langley, Artistic Director of the Green Music Center and Director of Sonoma State University's School of Performing Arts, to lead programming for the Center focusing on the finest international performing artists in a broad range of disciplines. The Santa Rosa Symphony will be the Center's Resident Orchestra.

The Weill's generous gift will support the completion of two additional performance venues. The south end of Weill Hall is designed with a back wall that can be fully opened onto a beautifully landscaped and terraced lawn, similar to Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood, expanding the reach of the concert hall to an additional 3,000 guests. The Weill Commons, an area directly to the east of the main concert hall, will be transformed into an amphitheater with a 10,000 seat capacity for large-scale outdoor events.

The $12 million gift includes a $4 million one-to-one challenge grant to encourage broad community engagement and will complete the spectacular outdoor performance areas.

"We care deeply about the communities we live and work in," said Joan and Sandy Weill. "When we first toured the Green Music Center we were immediately inspired by the beauty, the acoustics, and the wonderful potential for this spectacular arts venue. We were impressed by what the University and the community has been able to accomplish through tenacity and determination and we are honored to join Donald and Maureen Green and the many other generous contributors who have stepped forward to help make this dream a reality. There is no question that it has been a labor of love."

Please call the Santa Rosa Symphony Development Director, Kathleen Morgen, at (707) 546-7097 ext.214 for further information.

Santa Rosa Symphony subscribers tour concert hall Video Courtesy of The Press Democrat.
Produced by Kent Porter