Music Hall

Music Hall Revitalization Corporation

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June 12, 2012

Dear Friend of Music Hall:

We are pleased to continue our series of Music Hall Revitalization e • Notes, designed to keep you up-to-date regarding the progress of this important and complex project. Earlier this month, we sent you information about the Music Hall revitalization project’s economic impact on our region. This week’s communication takes us “behind the scenes” and talks about how the revitalization of Music Hall will impact the artists, critical backstage operations, and the performances themselves.

The primary objective throughout the revitalization planning has been to make the Music Hall experience truly extraordinary for our audiences, while also creating an environment that best supports the arts organizations that produce and present events in this iconic building – Cincinnati Arts Association, Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Symphony/Pops Orchestras, and May Festival. Music Hall is a multi-purpose venue with Springer Auditorium functioning as both a concert hall and theater. The long-term sustainability of Music Hall’s resident companies demands that each delivers first-rate productions in the most cost-efficient manner possible. The revitalization effort is essential to meeting this important goal. Following is a sampling of some of the changes and improvements being planned for Music Hall:

MODERN DAY PRODUCTION CAPABILITIES
Every live performance is unique – a piece of art created in a moment in time for its audience. The tools that go into each performance are ever evolving. Although production demands for concert halls and theaters have increased dramatically in recent decades, the production capabilities at Music Hall have not. An important part of the revitalization plan is to improve the backstage areas so important operations can occur more efficiently and more safely, including: improving the loading dock for better backstage access and more efficient load in/out options, raising the backstage floor on the north side of the building to the same height as the stage, and removing an obstructive column on stage left.

Music Hall’s fly system, which enables the stage crew to quickly, quietly, and safely “fly” or raise scenic elements such as screens, curtains, lights, and stage effects, will be modernized. New lift equipment, a freight elevator, convenient storage rooms, more access points, a basement stage crossover, improved catwalks, and additional catwalks above the ceiling will also create a safer, more efficient work environment and lower production costs for the resident companies.

IMPROVEMENTS BACKSTAGE ENHANCING THE AUDIENCE EXPERIENCE
Most of these important cost-saving and safety improvements won’t be visible to someone attending a performance at Music Hall, but some will undoubtedly make that experience better. For instance, the addition of a trap room underneath the stage will make dazzling special effects possible, and new theatrical lighting positions will enhance the overall audience experience. The stage’s fly system will also be expanded above the old organ loft, allowing for bigger, better and more spectacular theatrical productions. An all-new audio/visual system will provide enhanced theatrical and concert experiences. The revitalization will dramatically enhance the creative and artistic possibilities at Music Hall.

AN ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE TO SUPPORTING GREAT ART
For Music Hall’s many performers, additional dressing rooms, a backstage elevator, improved humidity control, more warm up rooms, better locker facilities, more and separate storage for large, valuable instruments, and of course, expanded restrooms will all make for a better experience. The addition of modernized, comfortable dressing rooms will support our efforts to attract and maintain relationships with the best guest artists in the world. Post-revitalization, the backstage areas will reflect the level of great artistry happening on stage.

IMPROVEMENTS TO SUPPORT FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
The commitment to sustainability also reaches administrative operations at Music Hall. A larger, more efficient box office space will lead to more collaboration among the resident companies and more efficient and convenient customer service, as will a 98% larger retail space, which will allow for a wider array of merchandise and a more comfortable shopping experience. Furthermore, enhanced gathering spaces throughout the lobby area will create more rental opportunities for various functions held at Music Hall. These rentals will help sustain the facility financially, which supports each of the resident companies through reduced operating costs.

FINDING EFFICIENCIES AND PROTECTING CRITICAL NEEDS
A proposed annex on Music Hall’s south side will provide additional rehearsal space so arts groups can prepare for performances simultaneously at Music Hall. Multiple rehearsal spaces on the same Music Hall “campus” will lead to more efficiency and cost savings for the resident arts organizations. The annex will also allow conference rooms currently backstage to be relocated, allowing for more usable space, and create office space that can be shared by different resident arts companies.

The necessary facility enhancements listed above, along with improved wall, roof, and glass insulation, will significantly reduce Music Hall’s operating costs, contribute to the long-term sustainability of its resident companies, and benefit patrons for years to come.

It is our goal to keep you informed as the revitalization plans continue. We enjoy hearing from our Music Hall friends and family! If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please contact us at mhrc@cincinnatiarts.org.

As a friend of Music Hall, you are a vital spokesperson for this project. We encourage you to be an advocate, promoting the best interests of our beloved venue. We have every confidence that with the support of the entire community, Music Hall will continue to be a great Cincinnati icon for generations to come.

June 1, 2012

Dear Friend of Music Hall:

We are pleased to continue our series of Music Hall Revitalization e• Notes, designed to keep you up-to-date regarding the progress of this important project, as well as the collaborative decisions being made by the Music Hall Revitalization Company (MHRC) and Music Hall’s resident arts groups regarding the future of this beloved and historic venue.

The primary objective throughout the revitalization planning has been to make the Music Hall experience truly extraordinary for our audiences and create a vibrant anchor in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, which is bustling with new development (such as the Washington Park renovation) that has garnered national attention. This week’s communication focuses on the Music Hall revitalization project’s economic impact on our region.

According to a University of Cincinnati Economics Center and Community Design Center study released on May 8, “the proposed revitalization and future operations of Cincinnati’s famed Music Hall will have a considerable impact on the Greater Cincinnati regional economy.” Part of that impact comes from the construction project itself which, according to the University’s study, will create 2,996 jobs (including 1,442 jobs associated directly with the construction and design work), raise more than $2.7 million in tax revenues, and have a total economic impact of $353 million for our region.

Of course, an investment in this great Cincinnati landmark will continue to pay dividends once construction is completed. The revitalization’s lasting impact is a greatly improved Music Hall experience that will attract new audiences for the venue’s resident arts groups: Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestras, and the May Festival, as well as many other activities including performances, banquets, weddings, meetings, tradeshows, graduations and dances. Addressing the immediate capital needs of Music Hall and improving the patron experience is essential to the long-term sustainability of these resident companies, which also contribute significantly to the local economy. The total economic impact of these organizations alone is $118 million annually. According to the U.C. study, “for every thousand dollars spent on operations, the local economy grows by $2,140.”

The revitalized Music Hall will also drive further development throughout the surrounding neighborhood in the form of new homes and businesses. Since 2004, Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC) has invested nearly $162 million in Over-the-Rhine, which includes approximately $28 million in public support from the City of Cincinnati. The balance of the funding has come in the way of tax credits, loans, and other private sources. Music Hall is an essential anchor in that important development effort, and the economic benefits of the venue’s revitalization are clear.

We will continue to advocate for the best possible audience experience at Music Hall throughout this process, and for the preservation and protection of this Cincinnati landmark. As a friend of Music Hall, you are also a vital spokesperson for this project. We encourage you to be an advocate, promoting the best interests of our beloved venue. We have every confidence that with the support of the entire community, Music Hall will continue to be a great Cincinnati icon for generations to come.

It is our goal to keep you informed as the revitalization plans continue. We enjoy hearing from our Music Hall friends and family! If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please contact us at mhrc@cincinnatiarts.org.

May 30, 2012

Dear Friend of Music Hall:

We are pleased to continue our series of Music Hall Revitalization e• Notes, designed to keep you up-to-date regarding the progress of this important and complex project. Last week, we sent you information about the status of the Music Hall transfer; the resignation of Music Hall Revitalization Company (MHRC) board chair, Jack Rouse; and a joint statement from Music Hall's resident arts groups in full support of the revitalization project.

Late last week, the MHRC Board of Directors met to discuss next steps. The Board is comprised of a group of outstanding volunteers who are passionate arts supporters and who understand the importance of the Music Hall Revitalization to Cincinnati and to the region. The meeting resulted in the following outcomes:

• MHRC leadership affirmed the importance of the revitalization of Music Hall and the Board remains steadfastly committed to the revitalization – a project that is urgently needed to preserve this iconic facility, to address $40 to $50 million in infrastructure needs, and to support a world-class experience for the more than 250,000 people each year who attend a diverse array of events in the building. The project is also needed for the sustainability of the four resident companies that call this facility home (Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Symphony/Pops Orchestra, and May Festival), and is essential to the rebirth of the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.

• The MHRC Board elected business leader, community volunteer, and respected supporter and advocate for the arts, Otto M. Budig, Jr., as its new chair. Mr. Budig will also serve as the organization's volunteer president and chief executive officer at this critical time. He succeeds Jack Rouse, who previously held this dual role. We appreciate the volunteer leadership which Mr. Rouse has given to this project during the past two-and-a-half years.

There have been constructive discussions between MHRC and the Mayor and members of City Council in recent days, and it is clear that there is a shared commitment to Music Hall and its future. The leadership of MHRC believes that it has a responsibility to Music Hall and the venue's arts groups to continue the productive discussions now underway with our City leaders. Furthermore, our government and civic leaders share many common views on the approach to this project, and the potential for an agreement is within reach.

We are grateful to Mr. Budig for his willingness to lead this project, and to the MHRC Board members for the tremendous commitment each has shown. These are individuals volunteering considerable time, talent, and treasure to this endeavor.

We will continue to advocate for the best possible audience experience at Music Hall throughout this process, and for the preservation and protection of this Cincinnati landmark. As a friend of Music Hall, you are also a vital spokesperson for this project. We encourage you to be an advocate, promoting the best interests of our beloved venue. This is a critical juncture in the life of the building. The need is great, but we have every confidence that with the support of the entire community, Music Hall will continue to be a great Cincinnati icon for generations to come.

It is our goal to keep you informed as the revitalization plans continue. We enjoy hearing from our Music Hall friends and family! If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please contact us at mhrc@cincinnatiarts.org.

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May 22, 2012

We are pleased to continue our series of Music Hall Revitalization e• Notes, designed to keep you up-to-date regarding the progress of this important and complex project.

You may be aware of the Sunday, May 20^th Cincinnati Enquirer article that reported on the status of Music Hall's ownership transfer, as well as a Monday, May 21^thEnquirer story reporting the resignation of Jack Rouse from the Music Hall Revitalization Company board.

Following is a joint statement from the Cincinnati Arts Association, the Music Hall resident arts groups, and the Society for the Preservation of Music Hall that states the importance of Music Hall as a vital and historic asset to the City, the community, and the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, as well as to the continued success of the acclaimed arts organizations which call Music Hall their home. We want to assure you that this much-needed project must move forward, and we are committed to working with the project's donors, the community, and the City to make it happen.

"Music Hall is one of Cincinnati's most treasured icons, and is central not only to the region's vibrant arts scene, but also to one of the most impressive community redevelopment efforts in the country, happening right here in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.

The infrastructure needs of the City of Cincinnati-owned facility are significant. The building's mechanical systems (including electrical, plumbing, fire suppression, air conditioning and heating) are all operating on borrowed time, well beyond their life expectancy. There is an estimated $40 to $50 million in deferred maintenance, including these essential mechanical systems and some underlying structural issues that simply must be addressed to responsibly preserve and protect this Cincinnati icon.

The Cincinnati Arts Association, Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestras, May Festival, and the Society for the Preservation of Music Hall all stand ready to work with the City of Cincinnati, our community's philanthropic leaders, and the Music Hall Revitalization Company to make this critically-important project successful. We overwhelmingly support this endeavor, and believe a public-private partnership is necessary to unlock the full scope of this substantial investment in Music Hall's future, and the future of our city."

As always, thank you for your continued interest in and support of the Music Hall Revitalization – a project that will keep this beloved community gathering place a treasured asset for generations to come. Along with our arts partners, we will continue to advocate for the best possible audience experience at Music Hall throughout this process, and for the preservation and protection of this historic Cincinnati landmark.

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May 15, 2012

As plans for the exciting Music Hall Revitalization (scheduled to begin in May 2014) continue to progress, we are pleased to bring you the third in a series of Music Hall Revitalization e• Notes. Last week’s e•Note outlined the post-revitalization seat count and configuration.

Today we will discuss Music Hall’s critical infrastructure and maintenance needs. With these much-needed renovations, this historic venue will be enjoyed by many new generations of theater-goers. If these needs are not soon met, the future of Music Hall will certainly be jeopardized.

These e•Notes are designed to keep you informed and up-to-date on the project, as well as the collaborative decisions being made by the Music Hall Revitalization Company (MHRC) and Music Hall’s resident arts groups regarding the future of this beloved, iconic, and historic venue.

DEFERRED MAINTENANCE AND INFRASTRTUCTURE NEEDS

Deferred Maintenance of Essential Systems
It has been more than forty years since Music Hall has undergone a major renovation, and the building’s mechanical systems (including electrical, plumbing, fire suppression, air conditioning and heating) are all well beyond their normal life expectancy. This deferred maintenance comes at a significant cost in both repairs and efficiency, and the funds required to replace these essential systems are estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars.

These are not optional upgrades. These systems must be replaced in the immediate future, and attention to these deferred maintenance issues will ultimately lead to far more reliable energy- and cost-efficient operations for the users of Music Hall, and a more comfortable venue for audiences.

While the areas of Music Hall that most of our audiences see are for the most part grand and elegant, deferred maintenance has taken its toll on virtually every non-public space of the building, in addition to the venue’s mechanical systems. In many instances, these important spaces, like dressing rooms, locker areas, rehearsal rooms, offices, and set shops are quite literally crumbling away and require significant repairs and improvements for Music Hall to remain a viable performance facility.

Structural Issues
Under the surface of Music Hall lies structural deterioration not unexpected for a building that first opened to the public in 1878, and while this deterioration doesn’t pose an immediate hazard, engineers have determined that structural issues must be addressed for the building’s long-term viability.

The revitalization project calls for reinforcing the Balcony and Gallery trusses – the supporting structural beams that hold up the floors in these areas. In addition, the structures under the stage and orchestra pit also require attention, including the pit’s support walls and lifts. There are sagging floors throughout the building, which again are symptomatic of deteriorating support beams that will be reinforced or replaced with steel in the revitalization.

The estimated cost of this work is also well into the tens of millions of dollars, and the structural and deferred maintenance costs combined represent one-quarter of the total cost of the revitalization. These are important repairs and improvements that theater-goers will for the most part never see, but are required, and represent an essential investment in Music Hall’s future.

Thank you for your continued interest in and support of the Music Hall Revitalization – a project that will keep this beloved community gathering place a treasured asset for generations to come. It is our goal to keep you informed as the revitalization plans continue.

We enjoy hearing from our Music Hall friends and family! If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please contact us at mhrc@cincinnatiarts.org.

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May 4, 2012

As plans for the exciting Music Hall Revitalization (scheduled to begin in May 2014) continue to progress, we are pleased to bring you the second in a series of Music Hall Revitalization Notes. Last week's e-note discussed plans to keep the existing Grand Chandelier and the addition of new high-speed elevators (vertical transportation) to replace the existing escalators. Today we will discuss the post-revitalization seat count for Music Hall.

These notes are designed to keep you informed and up-to-date on the project, as well as the collaborative decisions being made by the Music Hall Revitalization Company (MHRC) and Music Hall's resident arts groups regarding the future of this beloved, iconic, and historic venue.

POST-REVITALIZATION SEAT COUNT AND CONFIGURATION

Many patrons have asked what the seat count will be in Music Hall and how this will affect the resident organizations. As you can imagine, this is a very complicated and complex issue, as the Hall’s diverse resident companies require different needs for their artistic disciplines. After exhaustive study and a great deal of consideration, the Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera , Cincinnati Symphony/ Pops Orchestras, and May Festival all support a post-revitalization seating capacity of just over 2,500 seats with flexible configurations for the auditorium’s many purposes.

All of Music Hall’s tenant organizations recognize the importance of this decision and have fully considered the wide variety of issues that determine the appropriate seat count, including audience comfort, economic implications, accessibility, and of course, acoustics.

Music Hall functions as both a concert hall and a theater and must meet the needs of each of the resident companies. The post-revitalization auditorium will have flexibility built-in, enabling different seating configurations depending on specific use and demands. This is achieved through a series of stage lifts and some removable seating.

Following are the seat counts for the various configurations of Springer Auditorium:

2,519: Full capacity with all seat lifts down and every seat installed (such as touring concerts or graduations where no orchestra pit is needed)
2,458: Touring show using orchestra pit
2,394: Cincinnati Pops concerts
2,374: Cincinnati Opera and May Festival performances
2,150: Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra classical concerts

Other important components of the new seating configuration include the following:

Patrons will enjoy larger, more comfortable seats and increased leg room.
Accessibility to and from seating is a priority in the new designs. A less dense configuration with multiple cross-aisles will make access to seating much easier.
Staggering seat placement and re-raking the main floor, gallery and balcony will provide for improved sight lines.
The new configuration enables improvements to acoustics. The world’s preeminent acousticians at JaffeHolden have been engaged since the beginning of the revitalization process to ensure Music Hall’s acoustics are nothing short of spectacular.
Reduced seat counts will not prevent patrons from attending performances. The Ballet, May Festival, Opera, and Symphony/Pops will add shows to accommodate patron interest, if needed.
The cost of adding performances will be largely offset by newly created efficiencies and increased revenue opportunities made possible by the revitalization.

As we have mentioned, seat count and configuration at the revitalized Music Hall is specific to the unique operations of each of Music Hall’s resident companies. For more information about this issue in relation to each of these organizations, please visit their respective websites listed below.

If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for future topics, please contact us at mhrc@cincinnatiarts.org.

Resident Companies

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April 26, 2012

As the plans for the exciting Music Hall Revitalization (scheduled to begin in May 2014) continue to progress, we are pleased to bring you the first in a series of Music Hall Revitalization e•Notes.
These e•Notes are designed to keep you informed and up-to-date on the project, as well as the collaborative decisions being made by the Music Hall Revitalization Company (MHRC) and Music Hall’s resident arts groups regarding the future of this beloved, iconic, and historic venue.

VERTICAL TRANSPORTATION AND THE GRAND CHANDELIER

Vertical Transportation (High-speed Elevators)
Two of the primary goals of the revitalization of Music Hall are to enhance the patron experience and ensure the sustainability of the performing arts organizations that call Music Hall home (Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati May Festival, Cincinnati Opera, and Cincinnati Symphony/Pops Orchestras). Both of these goals are in evidence by the decision to replace the current escalators with between four and six new, high speed elevators. Installing these new elevator banks will:

Move patrons efficiently between levels. To move essentially the same amount of patrons, Music Hall will have at least twice (and as many as three times) the number of elevators as many other performing arts spaces in the region. The new Music Hall elevators will be high-speed, creating more time efficiency than the slower hydraulic models found in some venues. A new, grand staircase will also be added to replace the current escalator, providing another means for patrons to move between levels.
Save on maintenance and operation costs. Escalators cost twice as much to operate and maintain as elevators.
Open space for important, requested patron experience improvements. Removing the escalators will make space available for additional and more spacious restrooms; larger lobbies for casual conversation and relaxation, as well as additional seating areas that are not accommodated in the current layout of Music Hall; enhanced food and beverage service; and more exhibit space for the incredible array of Music Hall art pieces.
Improve patron safety. Patron safety is of paramount importance to the Music Hall resident companies. Elevator/staircase combinations are safer than escalators, particularly for children and seniors, and especially when usage is concentrated during peak times.

Grand Chandelier
Thanks in large part to strong public support for Springer Auditorium’s existing grand chandelier, the revitalization plans will include this historic and beloved centerpiece, which will be refurbished to its original grandeur.

Removing the chandelier was originally considered because it allowed for patron experience enhancements. The chandelier currently obstructs theatrical lighting positions, but the design team has found a way to raise the existing chandelier higher to improve theatrical lighting in the revitalized Music Hall. In addition, the chandelier currently obstructs the beautiful, original ceiling fresco above it, but the refurbished chandelier will be raised and lowered to make the fresco visible and create a truly dramatic effect at the beginning of performances.

Thank you for your interest in and support of the Music Hall Revitalization!

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