THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 27, 1994 TAG: 9407270370
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARK MOBLEY, MUSIC CRITIC
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
Are you a Virginia Symphony lover? Are you sick of Chrysler Hall's so-called acoustics? Tired of fighting hockey fans for parking spaces?
Norfolk State University wants you.
Tuesday, university officials offered the Virginia Symphony use of the L. Douglas Wilder Center for the Performing Arts. The 1,800-seat multipurpose facility is scheduled to open in 1996 as a home for campus productions and lectures, as well as professional touring shows.
At the insistence of university trustee and Virginia Opera benefactor Edythe C. Harrison, the university has offered prime tenant status to the orchestra. The ensemble would perform its main classical and pops series at the $8.5 million Wilder Center instead of Chrysler Hall.
``We agreed it would solve so many problems of the symphony as far as a schedule is concerned, as far as having the quality of the house,'' Harrison said.
In recent seasons, orchestra patrons have found themselves jockeying for parking spaces with crowds headed to events at Scope. Orchestra members and patrons alike have grown increasingly frustrated with 22-year-old Chrysler Hall's dead acoustics and technical quirks. Concerts have been disrupted by strange rumbles and flashing lights.
Tuesday's meeting included a presentation by the architectural firm of Shriver and Holland. Virginia Symphony Executive Director Daniel Hart and board member Betty Harmon Edwards perused blueprints. Members of the university and opera staffs answered questions.
Harrison said the university sought a quick answer to facilitate advance scheduling and adjustment of architectural plans to fit the orchestra's needs. She set a tentative deadline of mid-September for an answer from the orchestra's board.
``I think it is in your best interest to act as quickly as you can,'' Harrison said. ``There's no point in dragging it on. You like the idea or you don't like the idea.''
Replied Hart: ``I think it's safe to say we like the idea.''
Rehearsal scheduling and rental fees were not discussed, though university Vice Chairman L.D. Britt said the rate would be competitive with what the orchestra pays at Chrysler Hall.
University President Harrison B. Wilson said he was considering the building and the possible agreement as steps in establishing a conservatory of music on the campus. by CNB