Elder Hall restoration
A $12 million fundraising appeal will be launched this month to restore South Australia's musical jewel and the State's most loved concert venue, Elder Hall. The historic University of Adelaide building - home to the oldest tertiary music institution in Australia - is in dire need of urgent conservation works to maintain its original 1898 condition and upgrade the interior. Development and Alumni Director Robyn Brown said assistance would be sought from the Federal, State and Local Governments as well as the general public to rejuvenate Elder Hall. "The conservation of this iconic South Australian building has become critical and we need the public's help to restore this wonderful concert hall to its original state for future generations to use and enjoy," Mrs Brown said. Australian jazz legend, James Morrison, will launch the appeal with two Elder Hall concerts on Thursday 19 April and Saturday 21 April. The program will pay tribute to the late Kym Bonython, featuring music of the jazz greats that he brought to Australia. Morrison will be joined by special guest John Morrison on drums, jazz staff Bruce Hancock (piano) and John Aué (bass) as well as Dusty Cox and the Elder Conservatorium Big Band. In his inimitable style, Adelaide media personality Keith Conlon will relate the special history of both the Elder Hall and entrepreneur Kym Bonython's contribution to the world of jazz. Mrs Brown said conservation works alone had been costed at $3 million and would include repairs and cleaning to masonry facades, stained glass windows and internal plaster work. New audio visual and lighting systems desperately need upgrading, along with a refurbishment of the Green Room, toilets and kitchenette, estimated at $1.6 million. An additional $7.4 million will need to be found for a five-storey modern extension to the north of Elder Hall, housing practise and teaching rooms and student facilities. "Elder Hall is the jewel in Adelaide's musical crown," Mrs Brown said. "Thanks to a generous £20,000 bequest by pastoralist Sir Thomas Elder in 1897, the University was able to establish Australia's first School of Music - the Elder Conservatorium - and build, as its home, Elder Hall. "Elder Hall is the second oldest building on the University's North Terrace campus (after the Mitchell Building) and stands in the centre of a remarkable set of heritage buildings stretching along North Terrace. "Its heritage value aside, it has played a major role in the teaching and performance of music in South Australia and the nation, and was home to the first Chair of Music in Australia. "Elder Hall is not just a University building; it is used by the entire community 364 days of the year, hosting local, interstate and international musicians. It is also a venue for conferences, high-profile lectures, corporate events, school concerts and graduations among other uses." To book for "An Evening with James Morrison" on Thursday 19 April and Saturday 21 April 21 go to: www.alumni.adelaide.edu.au/jamesmorrison Click here for an Arts and Culture feature Story by Candy Gibson
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