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Davies Symphony Hall in San Fran celebrates 25 years

The San Francisco Symphony (SFS) celebrates the 25th anniversary of Davies Symphony Hall with a September 7 Opening Gala concert and special events throughout its 94th concert season. To honor the community`s support of the Symphony and of Davies Symphony Hall, celebrations include the SFS`s 94th Season Opening Gala on September 7, 2005, a historical exhibit on display in September, October, and November at Davies Symphony Hall and a free concert on January 31, 2006 for subscribers, donors, and volunteers who have been with the Symphony 25 years or longer.

Twenty-five years ago, on September 13, 1980, the SFS opened its new home, Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall, with a "hard hat concert" for those who had labored on the Hall`s construction since groundbreaking in 1978. Three days later, the Hall opened officially with a gala concert that was seen across the country in the Symphony`s first national telecast. In the past 25 years, the SFS has welcomed world-renowned musicians to its ranks, captured coveted recording prizes, launched television and multimedia projects, won countless new fans, established an acclaimed Youth Orchestra, founded an active Volunteer Council of more than 1,500 members from throughout the Bay Area, and involved its community through a host of nationally recognized educational and community concerts and services.

The move from the War Memorial Opera House to Davies Symphony Hall in 1980 marked a new era for the San Francisco Symphony. With a concert hall built specifically for symphonic music for the first time since its inaugural performance in 1911, the Orchestra became a completely new entity, separate from its previous incarnation as a symphony and an opera orchestra. The Symphony`s new home allowed for year-round programming that raised the artistic quality to new heights and turned the Orchestra into a cultural force in the world. A dedicated home also made possible the establishment of the most extensive education and community programs offered by any American orchestra today. During its 25 years in Davies Symphony Hall, the SFS has grown immensely in stature and acclaim under three Music Directors: Edo de Waart, Herbert Blomstedt, and, for the last 10 seasons, Michael Tilson Thomas.