Umstattd Performing Arts Hall

Umstattd Performing Arts Hall is a premier performing arts center located in Canton, Ohio, United States, and is named after Myrlin Umstattd, a former Canton Symphony Orchestra conductor. The hall has hosted numerous performances by renowned artists, including the Canton Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. It has also been the venue for various events, such as concerts by Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, and Lang Lang, as well as performances by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the New York City Ballet. The hall's rich history and cultural significance have made it a staple in the Stark County, Ohio arts scene, with support from organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts and the Ohio Arts Council.

● History

The Umstattd Performing Arts Hall was opened in 1973, with its first performance featuring the Canton Symphony Orchestra under the baton of conductor Gerhardt Zimmermann. The hall was built with the support of the Canton Community Foundation and the Stark County, Ohio government, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Ohio Arts Council. Over the years, the hall has undergone several renovations, including a major renovation in 2003, which was supported by the Knight Foundation and the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce. The hall has hosted performances by famous artists, including Leonard Bernstein, Isaac Stern, and Van Cliburn, as well as ensembles like the Juilliard String Quartet and the Tokyo String Quartet. The hall's history is also closely tied to the Canton Symphony Orchestra, which has performed with guest conductors like Leonard Slatkin and Marin Alsop.

● Architecture

The Umstattd Performing Arts Hall was designed by the architectural firm Caudill Rowlett Scott, which also designed other notable buildings, such as the Dallas City Hall and the Houston Public Library. The hall's design features a unique blend of modern and classical elements, with a striking glass and steel façade. The hall's interior is designed to provide excellent acoustics, with a seating capacity of over 1,500. The hall's design has been praised by architects and critics, including I.M. Pei and Frank Gehry, and has been recognized with awards from the American Institute of Architects and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The hall's architecture is also notable for its use of sustainable design principles, with features like energy-efficient lighting and rainwater harvesting, supported by organizations like the U.S. Green Building Council and the Environmental Protection Agency.

● Performance Facilities

The Umstattd Performing Arts Hall features a state-of-the-art performance facility, with a large stage and excellent acoustics. The hall is equipped with a Steinway & Sons piano and a Harrison & Harrison organ, and has hosted performances by renowned pianists, including Maurizio Pollini and Krystian Zimerman. The hall also features a recording studio and a rehearsal space, which are used by the Canton Symphony Orchestra and other ensembles, such as the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music. The hall's performance facilities have been praised by performers and critics, including Plácido Domingo and Renee Fleming, and have been recognized with awards from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers.

● Notable Events

The Umstattd Performing Arts Hall has hosted numerous notable events, including performances by the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The hall has also been the venue for various festivals, including the Canton Blues Festival and the Stark County Jazz Festival, which have featured performances by artists like B.B. King and Diana Krall. The hall has also hosted lectures and masterclasses by renowned artists, including Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman, as well as events like the Canton Film Festival and the Stark County Book Festival, which have featured appearances by authors like John Grisham and Toni Morrison. The hall's events have been supported by organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts and the Ohio Arts Council, and have been recognized with awards from the American Festival Association and the International Festivals and Events Association.

● Education and Community

The Umstattd Performing Arts Hall is committed to education and community outreach, with a variety of programs and initiatives, including the Canton Symphony Orchestra's Youth Orchestra and the Stark County Arts Council's Arts in Education program. The hall also offers masterclasses and workshops with renowned artists, including Leonard Slatkin and Marin Alsop, and has partnered with organizations like the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Canton Museum of Art to provide arts education programs for Stark County, Ohio schools. The hall's education and community programs have been recognized with awards from the National Association of Schools of Music and the American String Teachers Association, and have been supported by organizations like the Knight Foundation and the Canton Community Foundation. The hall's commitment to education and community outreach has made it a vital part of the Stark County, Ohio arts scene, with partnerships with institutions like Kent State University and University of Mount Union.