City Newspaper Archives - 3/2007

DOWNTOWN: Eastman will get renovations, additions

Published by Jeremy Moule on Mar 16, 2007
The Eastman School of Music is preparing to embark on the next stage of its major renovations, a plan that includes improvements to the Eastman Theatre -- with upgraded acoustics -- new instruction and rehearsal space, and, farther into the future, a new recital hall and large atrium.

The plans were announced this morning by representatives of the Eastman School, the University of Rochester, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and state and county governments. The state Assembly will provide $8 million of the $20 million cost of this next phase. The school still needs to raise the remainder, said Jamal Rossi, interim dean of the Eastman School.

Eastman Theatre work will include reducing the number of seats from 3,094 to 2,250, adding box seats along the side, expanding the lobby, and creating a small café, lounges, and a gift shop in the lobby area.

"It will be a more intimate hall, and the acoustics will be more live and vibrant," Rossi said.

On a vacant lot on the east side of Swan Street, east of the Eastman Theatre, the school will build an addition with practice rooms, a studio, recording studios, and rehearsal rooms.

Size and poor acoustics have been among the major complaints of the theater's primary users. This was a particular concern for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Mercury Opera also regularly uses the theater.

Construction of the next phase is expected to start in the summer of 2008.

Proposed for a third phase: construction of an atrium and a recital hall for the school, on the southwest corner of Main and Swan, adjacent to the theater.

Article Photos

In the renovated Eastman Theatre, overall seating will be shrunk but box seats added. And architectural details will be preserved.