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Opperman Music Hall | Inside and Out

The iconic Opperman Music Hall (OMH) was named for former Dean Ella Scoble Opperman in 1952. Projects to restore, update, and improve OMH have been going on for several years, including upgrades to the stage decking and a new terrace. Last fall’s Alumni Magazine featured the architect’s 3-D digital rendering of plans for the new walkway, terrace, and patron accessible ramp for Opperman Music Hall. On this year’s cover, we present the completed project. Audience members who have difficulty with steps may now access Opperman more easily via the new ramp near the drop-off portico at the parking lot instead of making their way to the elevator at the far side of the lobby. More importantly, the new terrace provides a lovely space to extend pre- and post-concert conversations among patrons and performers. With easy access to the Callaway Courtyard and the covered walkway section of the Housewright building, we have a wonderful location for receptions following concerts and recitals.

While these improvements to Opperman Music Hall are taking place over a number of years, there are more to come. A renovation of the audience chamber, with new seats, expanded wheel-chair seating stations, updated entrance doors for easier accessibility, and a permanent soundboard position for the production crew are in the planning stages with work to be completed sometime in the next two years. Specifications for new LED stage lights have been created and the upgrading of the lighting instruments will likely be on the same time schedule. Five years down the road we are looking forward to the installation of the new Rockwood concert organ designed by organ builder Paul Fritts. As part of that installation a new orchestra shell will be installed to facilitate optimal acoustics for both the organ and other types of concerts.

WE INVITE YOU TO ADD YOUR PERSONAL TOUCH to the beautifully renovated walkway or hall seating areas by participating in the newly created Music Legacy Program. 

Walkway Bricks Between Housewright and Kuersteiner Music Buildings (shown at left), personalized bricks celebrate the rich history of the College of Music by paying tribute to graduates, faculty, and friends in walkways adjacent to the Callaway Courtyard. See the link below for how to personalize a brick with your own inscription.

Performance Hall Seat Plaques Naming opportunities are available for seating in Opperman Music Hall and Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. Consider inscribing a seat plaque to commemorate your own experience at the College of Music or to recognize someone with a meaningful relationship to FSU. 

These commemorative bricks and seats support the College of Music while helping to pave the way for the future – a fitting legacy to those honored by the inscriptions. We are most grateful for our dedicated community of supporters and hope you will consider joining the College of Music in this new program. All proceeds will support College of Music students, programs, and initiatives.

Walkway bricks and seat plaques may be purchased online at one.fsu.edu/foundation/donate/college/music/legacy-walkway-program.


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