Group exploring plans for new Missoula performing arts hall

When James Valeo first heard the Missoula Symphony perform 10 years ago at the Wilma Theater, he knew it needed a better hall. He envisioned an elegant venue with beautiful acoustics, something bigger that gave the audience and musicians a chance to truly experience the music.

By COLIN McDONALD for the Missoulian

A recent survey of the Missoula arts community lends credibility to Valeo’s belief.

As the first step in the process of building a new hall, the Missoula Symphony Association formed a steering committee in April 2002. The committee, which Valeo co-chairs, hired New York-based Webb Management Services, a consulting firm that specializes in advising groups building and operating theaters and performance halls.

After interviewing almost a hundred people involved in Missoula’s arts community and looking at existing facilities, Duncan Webb, who conducted the interviews, presented his company’s findings Monday. The conclusion: Missoula is ready for a high-quality 1,400- to 1,800-seat performing arts hall.

"We want to make a venue that is large enough not to detract from existing facilities," Webb said.

What the project needs now is a group of dedicated individuals with the passion and endurance to see such a project through – and, of course, money, Webb said.

The building likely will cost more than $20 million, Valeo said.

No site or architectural plans have been chosen, said Valeo.

"These projects take so much time and so much effort it can be daunting," Webb said. "It is supposed to be a bit scary."

Ken Grant, a local cello player who used to play with the Missoula Symphony, said a building with quality acoustics would draw supporters. Missoula does not have a venue of this type and needs it, he said, not only for the symphony patrons and musicians, but also so students and children could be exposed to the best.

"The acoustics are where the excitement comes from," Grant said. "We need this for the students. They know when they are performing in a cafeteria. They are not stupid."

The hall will need to accommodate theater, live music and various touring shows to be financially feasible. To meet the different needs of these performances, Webb said, the sound system will have to rely on architectural design and digital sound technology.

Skip Kahane, a local businessman who owns Pretty Good Sound and specializes in the acoustics of buildings, said that while it is possible to build a hall to fit the needs of both theater and music, it is rarely done. However, Kahane said he does not see the need for a new facility because the Wilma already has some of the best acoustics in the West.

"To be honest, very few people successfully combine architectural design with digital design," Kahane said. "The only reason (the Wilma) is not rated nationally is that it does not seat 2,000."

Kahane said the Wilma sounds exactly the same as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Hall, which is considered to be acoustically perfect.

Valeo agrees that the Wilma is unique but argues that with a small stage and seating for just 1,100, the theater is not large enough to meet the needs of Missoula. Neither is the University of Montana’s University Theater, with 1,400 seats, where the symphony currently plays.

Citing Missoula’s current support for the arts, its growing population and its location on the Interstate 90 corridor, Valeo said he believes a larger facility will be able to attract touring shows and help support more community arts festivals such as the International Choral Festival, which comes to Missoula every three years.

Last season, the Missoula Symphony offered six shows, all but one with a Saturday evening and a Sunday afternoon performance.

A new hall could be completed in five years, Webb said. However, he added, a project of this scope would have to have broad support, which can take years to develop.

The next step, Valeo said, is for the symphony association’s steering committee to look for support from both public and private sources.

"We want this done in our lifetime," Valeo said.

http://missoulian.com/articles/2003/06/18/news/local/news05.txt