Two University of British Columbia concert halls with rich histories of teaching, learning and musical excellence officially reopened today after a $22 million revitalization funded by the provincial government, the university and a donor with a passion for classical music.
The modernization of the Old Auditorium and the newly renamed Roy Barnett Recital Hall represent the largest renewal of UBC’s School of Music since the 1997 creation of the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, and completes a world-class trio of small, medium and large concert halls unmatched at any North American university.
NB: Download print quality venue photos – flickr.com/photos/ubc-music – and historical images at flickr.com/photos/ubc_music/sets
“From opera star Ben Heppner to acclaimed composer John Estascio, thousands of UBC music alumni who have made outstanding contributions to the cultural fabric of Canada and the world have trained in these venues,” said UBC President Stephen Toope. “The arts are crucial to building creative societies with innovative foundations, and I am delighted to see these historical venues revitalized for future generations.”
The 533-seat Old Auditorium, one of the first UBC buildings, was constructed in 1925 and the 255-seat Roy Barnett Recital Hall was built in 1968. More than 10,000 singers, musicians, composers and scholars have trained in the venues, including the multiple Grammy award-winner Heppner, tenor Lance Ryan, mezzo-soprano Judith Forst, composers Estascio and Alexina Louie, pianist James Parker, rising opera stars Rhoslyn Jones and Simone Osborne and school founders Harry and Frances Adaskin.
Over its 85-year history, the Old Auditorium has hosted a range of famous musicians and personalities, including Van Morrison, Eleanor Roosevelt, John Diefenbaker, Ravi Shankar and Dylan Thomas.
The Old Auditorium’s $21-million makeover was funded by $12.2 million from UBC Renew Phase One, a $120-million cost-sharing partnership between UBC and the B.C. government that will have modernized 10 historic landmark buildings at UBC by 2011. An additional $9 million will come from the university and fundraising efforts.
“We are committed to ensuring students across the province have a first-class learning environment in which to pursue their post-secondary goals,” said Moira Stilwell, Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development. “The rejuvenated Old Aud provides students in the School of Music with a state-of-the-art performance venue that will contribute greatly to their growth and development in their craft.”
The newly renamed Roy Barnett Recital Hall (formerly the Recital Hall) received $1 million in upgrades thanks to a donation of up to $2 million by Roy and Gunilla Barnett. Roy Barnett is a UBC alumnus and former executive at Novopharm (now Teva Canada), one of Canada’s largest generic pharmaceutical companies.
“Funding the renewal of the Recital Hall was an exciting and effective way to give back to the community,” said Roy Barnett, whose lifetime passion for classical music inspired him to enroll at the Victoria Conservatory of Music at the age of 72.
Old Auditorium improvements include all new seating, a new 60-person orchestra pit; new stage lighting and rigging systems; modern classroom technology; two rehearsal halls; a 2,000-square-foot costume shop; expanded lobby, box office and reception spaces; mechanical equipment lifts, and seismic upgrades. Restored in the process were many heritage features, including wood windows, plasterwork and a wall painted with alumni autographs.
The centrepiece of Roy Barnett Recital Hall’s renovation is an expanded, reconfigured stage that improves acoustics and produces a more intimate recital experience. Other upgrades include a transformed interior, new audiovisual equipment and increased accessibility for wheelchairs.
“We are absolutely thrilled with these remarkable spaces,” says Richard Kurth, professor and director of UBC’s School of Music, the largest music school in western Canada and home to the country’s top opera program. “Their modern functionality and versatility enable us to undertake more complex and elaborate music and theatre productions, and give our students and faculty a truly exceptional environment for learning, teaching and performing.”
The two venues will be used by UBC’s 450 undergraduate and graduate music students, and the Old Auditorium will also host other Faculty of Arts classes.
UBC Renew projects consume nearly 60 per cent less resources than demolishing and constructing new buildings, with huge savings in capital expenses, carbon emissions, water, energy and landfill waste. The 10 buildings targeted in phase one would have cost $209 million to demolish and rebuild, compared to renovations costs of $120 million. Savings through UBC Renew essentially mean that the cost of providing every third campus building is free.
To learn about UBC’s School of Music, the Barnett family and these revitalized venues, visit www.music.ubc.ca.
