Lowell Hall Re-Opens For Artistic Performers

At Harvard, apparently, the Lowell name can never be spotlighted enough.

Last week, renovations of the 92-year-old A. Lawrence Lowell Lecture Hall, located behind Memorial Hall and across from the Science Center on Kirkland St., were finally finished, giving Harvard another location for classes, performances and rehearsals.

The first performance held in the newly-renovated hall was last Thursday's production of "Halos in Reverse" by the Demetirys Klein Dance Company, in residence at the Harvard Summer Dance Center. Last night, the building saw its first concert in many years--people gathered outside ahead of time to see the Harvard Chamber Orchestra perform Bach, Bartok, Handel and Stravinsky.

Besides a general clean-up and refurbishment, the major changes to the building include the installation of a new ground-level floor beneath the performance area and a shift in the pitch of the main floor seating.

Other changes are the alteration of the building's system to provide better acoustics for performers and the addition of an elevator to make the building disabled-accessible, said Michael N. Lichten, director of the office of physical resources in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS).

The total cost of the project was $3.5 million.

"The main performance floor level was raised [which] allows the performance floor to be accessible," Lichten said yesterday. "This left a space between the basement and the performancefloor...for acoustic purposes."

Other changes further up in Lowell Hall willimprove the sound quality of performances, hesaid.

"Openings in the ceiling were made to adjustacoustics...and acoustic curtains were put intothe attic," Lichten said. "The openings into theattic were also used to install performancelights."

Both the basement level and the performancefloor were completely refurbished, Lichten said. Aperformance wall was added in front of thebuilding's exterior wall on the performance level,making it possible for performers to cross fromone side of the floor to the other unseen by theaudience.

The building's renovation was protestedthroughout by representatives of the CarpentersLocal 40 union, who were unhappy about the use ofnon-union labor in the job.

Harvard has consistently defended its policy onthe project. Yesterday, though, a Local 40 membersaid that the difference of opinion may havesparked talks that will have longrange effects.

Mark L. Erlich, business manager and financialsecretary of Local 40, said that the union hasbeen in discussion with Harvard since May abouttrying to develop commonly agreed upon standardsfor contractors.

Erlich said that the union has also discussedthe same issue with the job's contractors, MarcTruant and Associates.

"We're still unhappy that FAS acted the waythey did, but all the protests and activismgenerated have spawned discussions that hopefullywill lead to better selection policies on the partof the University and possibly to an agreementwith that particular contractor," Erlich said.

Arts, Arts, Arts

Myra Mayman, director of the office for thearts, yesterday praised the finished product.

"Memorial Hall never worked well forrehearsal...Lowell is flexible," Mayman said.

Although she said she thinks "it will be a bearto schedule," Mayman said "it's a terrific space"and is excited the space has been "planned as aplace for the Arts."

Lowell Hall will not be used for dramaticperformances because set pieces cannot be nailedinto the stage. But musical and other performancesgroups, such as the Harvard Summer Dance Program,have already started to use the building, which isintended to relieve the shortage ofrehearsal/performance space expected when AlumniHall in Memorial Hall is permanently converted toa first-year eating area.

Beverly J. Taylor, associate director of choralactivities, has already held two rehearsals of theHarvard-Radcliffe Summer Chorus in Lowell.

"Down the road, it could be a good performancespace, especially for small groups such as closeharmony groups," Taylor said. "There's a nice warmsound, and the lighting is much better than, say,in Sever."

Taylor said that she is not sure which choralgroups will be using the building for rehearsalcome fall, but that the Harvard-Radcliffe band andorchestra will be practicing in it.

Lowell Hall will also provide some space forclasses and seminars.

"Students are really going to enjoy the spaceand its use," Lichten said. "It's a beautiful butcomfortable building.

Other changes further up in Lowell Hall willimprove the sound quality of performances, hesaid.

"Openings in the ceiling were made to adjustacoustics...and acoustic curtains were put intothe attic," Lichten said. "The openings into theattic were also used to install performancelights."

Both the basement level and the performancefloor were completely refurbished, Lichten said. Aperformance wall was added in front of thebuilding's exterior wall on the performance level,making it possible for performers to cross fromone side of the floor to the other unseen by theaudience.

The building's renovation was protestedthroughout by representatives of the CarpentersLocal 40 union, who were unhappy about the use ofnon-union labor in the job.

Harvard has consistently defended its policy onthe project. Yesterday, though, a Local 40 membersaid that the difference of opinion may havesparked talks that will have longrange effects.

Mark L. Erlich, business manager and financialsecretary of Local 40, said that the union hasbeen in discussion with Harvard since May abouttrying to develop commonly agreed upon standardsfor contractors.

Erlich said that the union has also discussedthe same issue with the job's contractors, MarcTruant and Associates.

"We're still unhappy that FAS acted the waythey did, but all the protests and activismgenerated have spawned discussions that hopefullywill lead to better selection policies on the partof the University and possibly to an agreementwith that particular contractor," Erlich said.

Arts, Arts, Arts

Myra Mayman, director of the office for thearts, yesterday praised the finished product.

"Memorial Hall never worked well forrehearsal...Lowell is flexible," Mayman said.

Although she said she thinks "it will be a bearto schedule," Mayman said "it's a terrific space"and is excited the space has been "planned as aplace for the Arts."

Lowell Hall will not be used for dramaticperformances because set pieces cannot be nailedinto the stage. But musical and other performancesgroups, such as the Harvard Summer Dance Program,have already started to use the building, which isintended to relieve the shortage ofrehearsal/performance space expected when AlumniHall in Memorial Hall is permanently converted toa first-year eating area.

Beverly J. Taylor, associate director of choralactivities, has already held two rehearsals of theHarvard-Radcliffe Summer Chorus in Lowell.

"Down the road, it could be a good performancespace, especially for small groups such as closeharmony groups," Taylor said. "There's a nice warmsound, and the lighting is much better than, say,in Sever."

Taylor said that she is not sure which choralgroups will be using the building for rehearsalcome fall, but that the Harvard-Radcliffe band andorchestra will be practicing in it.

Lowell Hall will also provide some space forclasses and seminars.

"Students are really going to enjoy the spaceand its use," Lichten said. "It's a beautiful butcomfortable building.