The Philadelphia Orchestra To Rename Its Home At The Kimmel Center For The Performing Arts Marian Anderson Hall In Honor Of The Legendary Contralto, Civil Rights Icon, And Philadelphian

On June 8, 2024, Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts will be rededicated as Marian Anderson Hall, home of The Philadelphia Orchestra, in honor of the legendary contralto, civil rights icon, and Philadelphian. The first major concert venue in the world to honor the late performer and trailblazer, Marian Anderson Hall will be a permanent monument to its namesake’s artistry and achievements, a reflection of the inclusive future she helped to engender, and an active testament to the intersection of music, art, and positive social impact.

They will officially dedicate the hall in Ms. Anderson’s honor on June 8 with an unveiling in the afternoon, and will celebrate that evening during the Great Stages Gala, featuring The Philadelphia Orchestra and Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, actress and singer Audra McDonald, soprano Angel Blue, and jazz pianist Marcus Roberts.

Marian Anderson Hall will be dedicated 85 years after Ms. Anderson was denied the opportunity to perform at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., because of her race, singing instead for a crowd of over 75,000 at the Lincoln Memorial. Throughout her life, Marian Anderson emblemized the idea that music can change the world. It is our hope that Marian Anderson Hall will inspire everyone who comes through its doors with the idea that the arts are a transformative force for good in the world. We hope you will join us as we forge a bright, inclusive future in which the arts are for everyone.

To ensure this work continues long into the future, they have partnered with the Philadelphia branch of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to establish an endowed scholarship in honor of Ms. Anderson, to be awarded each year to two Black students from the Philadelphia region studying the performing arts or pursuing a career in arts administration at schools throughout the country.

The dedication of Marian Anderson Hall was named in her honor by a visionary philanthropic gift from Richard Worley and Leslie Miller. They extend our deepest gratitude for their transformative leadership. Additional generous support for Marian Anderson Hall was given by Sidney and Caroline Kimmel. They also thank the family and estate of Marian Anderson, whose enthusiasm and support for this initiative have been crucial.

For more details, please visit: https://www.ensembleartsphilly.org/