MUSIC HALL Marks 2014 Summer Issue 1 MUSIC HALL Marks SPMH - Presidents Message With lots of daylight, the beauty of We now plan to display the re- God’s summer foliage, vacations, stored panels in Corbett Tower. picnics, outdoor sports, and a long Our largest, long term, project list of fun and spectacular activities looms ahead. The future revitaliza- held in beautiful Washington Park, tions of Music Hall and the Union across the way, who Terminal have been doesn’t love summer?!! garnering consider- And Music Hall able publicity. The continues to be Cincinnati City Coun- buzzing with activity! cil, the Hamilton In May the Cincinnati County Commission- Symphony Orchestra ers, and a future ballot and May Festival Cho- issue are focusing on rus returned from tri- the “iconic” position of umphant performances these landmarks. in New York complet- SPMH is, and will be, ing their season here playing a substantial in Music Hall to won- role in the Revitaliza- derful acclaim. Now Don Siekmann tion planning for Music the Opera is on Center Stage with Hall. Our commitment to the Hall a truly dynamic selection creating is heartfelt and solid, thanks in a season that is a real “crowd large part, to our Patricia & J. pleaser”. Ralph Corbett Endowment Fund. YOUR SPMH continues to Throughout this issue of MUSIC keep busy as well. Our tour pro- HALL Marks you will find informa- gram is growing, and our organ tion on these topics and others that panel project is moving forward. show our involvement and SPMH Table of Contents SPMH President’s Message . page 1 Historical Artifacts . page 15 SPMH Mission Statement . page 2 Carved Panels Update . page 16 Board of Directors 2014 . page 2 Reuben Springer Statue Cleaning . page 18 That Was Entertainment!! . page 3 The Neigh Sayers . p a ge 19 Saving Music Hall. page 6 SPMH Seeks 1,000 Members . page 20 Save the Date! . page 8 2013 - 2014 SPMH Members . page 21 SPMH Special Projects . page 9 Joanne Honschopp, Painter. p age 25 Take a Tour . page 11 Acknowledgements. page 26 Things Are Looking Up!! . page 12 MUSIC HALL Marks 2 efforts that promote the Hall. ments, savory hors d’oeuvres – September 8th is the date meet and mingle with friends and for our Annual Meeting and I en- Cincinnati Arts’ leaders! Invitations courage you to mark your calen- will be in the mail shortly. If not al- dars. Important updates ready an SPMH member, please concerning the ongoing discus- join an ever-increasing group of sions of the Revitalization Com- advocates for a strong and vibrant pany and The Cultural Facilities Music Hall by using the enclosed Task Force will be highlighted as envelope. will SPMH’s role as a key player in See you in September! all efforts. Delightful entertain- -- Don Siekmann SPMH MISSION STATEMENT The mission of The Society for the Preservation of Music Hall is to preserve, promote, improve, and provide education about Music Hall, funding special projects in addition to Music Hall management’s operational and maintenance obligations, and facilitating communications among Music Hall management, owner, and tenants, in order to perpetuate Music Hall as the premier cultural center of the Region, and as a National Historic Landmark of international significance. SPMH BOARD of Directors 2014 President Directors Ex Officio Directors Donald Siekmann Lisa Allison Patty Beggs Andrew Bowen - Cincinnati Opera Immediate Past President Adrienne Beaudet Cowden Trey Devey Norma Petersen Meredith Downton - Cincinnati Symphony Jodi M. Geiser Orchestra Vice Presidents Melissa Godoy Missie Santomo Joanne Grueter Barbara Harshman - Cincinnati Ballet Marcella Hsiung William Henrich Steven Sunderman Kathy Janson Ken Jones - Cincinnati May Festival Peter Koenig Ramon Rodriguez Ed Rider Eugene Saenger, Jr. Life Member Rosemary Schlachter Joyce Van Wye, Recording Secretary John Senhauser Co-Founder Karen McKim Sue Sommer Music Hall Liaison Treasurer Jim Tarbell Scott Santangelo Mark Weadick Ronald Wehmeier 3 MUSIC HALL Marks That Was Entertainment!! Joseph Lattanzi, Adria Caffaro and Jelani Eddington take a bow! On May 15th SPMH put on a Music Show that thrilled both morning Mr. Eddington’s solo perform- and evening audiences! Jelani Ed- ance of a medley from Phantom of dington, of international renown, the Opera, gave full voice to the returned to the Music Hall Ball- magnificent instrument, bringing room, working his magic with The the appreciative audience mem- Mighty Wurl- bers to their feet! itzer. Mezzo-so- The Saint-Saëns prano Adria “Bacchanale” Caffaro and from Samson baritone Joseph and Delilah Lattanzi, enter- caused one pa- tained with spir- tron to exclaim ited renditions “that was Fantas- of “Puttin’ on tic!!” To the de- the Ritz”, “Any- light of all in the thing Goes”, room Jelani per- “It’s De-Lovely” formed an en- and other num- core, “Gonna bers! Their Jelani works Wurlitzer magic! Build a Mountain” duet, “Will You from Stop the Remember” added a wistful and World I Want to Get Off. romantic touch to the program. Ron Wehmeier, an SPMH Di- Both artists are members of the rector gave detailed, descriptive Opera Fusion Program, a collabo- ‘behind the screen’ viewing of the ration between Cincinnati Opera Wurlitzer’s mechanics, to fasci- and the College-Conservatory of nated patrons. Ron, of Ronald F. MUSIC HALL Marks 4 Wehmeier, Inc. Pipe Organ Serv- ice, rebuilt and reinstalled the famed Albee Theatre Organ for its Ballroom debut in November 2009. Don with Renee and Chris Hempel of PNC A romantic moment (above) Katie Weed, Mernie Smith, Karen and John Weed The Siekmanns - Linda, Allison, Claire, Don and Julie 5 MUSIC HALL Marks The Society For The Preservation of Music Hall presents with the MIGHTY WURLITZER In cooperation with the Ohio Valley Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society Thursday, December 11, 2014, 10:30 AM & 7:00 PM, Cincinnati Music Hall Ballroom featuring: Theatre-Organist Mark Herman The School for the Creative and Performing Arts Children’s Choir Dancers of the Cincinnati Ballet Otto M. Budig Academy All Seats Now Reserved - $25 ($20 for seniors, students and groups of 10 or more) Tickets • CincinnatiArts.org • Arnoff Center / Music Hall Ticket office • (513) 621 - Arts (2787) • Group Discount (10+): (513) 977 - 4157 MUSIC HALL Marks 6 Saving Music Hall In January 2014, Bob McDon- tics abound, many claiming that the ald, retired chairman, president buildings are regional institutions and CEO of Procter & Gamble took and their care should be handled on the position as chair of the Cul- as such and others insisting that as tural Facilities Task Force to ana- City owned structures they are the lyze construction, operating and City’s concern. The Task Force de- funding options – public and pri- vised a plan that would depend vate, for Cincinnati’s Music Hall largely on a mix of private dona- and Union Terminal. tions ($40 million), Both buildings have local, state and fed- the distinction of eral tax credits and being National His- grants ($66 million), toric Landmarks. and a Hamilton McDonald and busi- County tax that may ness executives be a limited quarter- with a wide range of cent sales tax, a expertise and high limited half-cent community credibil- Bob McDonald sales tax, a 30-year ity have been working closely with property tax or a combination of Steve Leper, CEO of 3CDC. sales and property taxes ($225 mil- Cincinnati Center City Develop- lion). On Friday, June 13, Bob Mc- ment Corp. (3CDC) is now in effect Donald made a comprehensive the project manager for Music presentation of his plan to Arts Hall’s rehabilitation and has been Group Leaders. A majority of the working with the Music Hall Revi- SPMH Board attended. There was talization Company headed by Otto time after his talk for questioning. Budig. The Cultural Facilities Task Such subjects as building owner- Force is supported by Lagan Engi- ship, stadium tax comparisons, neering of New Jersey which is partnership of the two buildings, also working with 3CDC on Music etc. were addressed. On Monday Hall. The Task Force’s report is June 23rd McDonald formally gave funded by the Greater Cincinnati a thoroughly vetted plan to the Foundation and Carol Ann and Board of County Commissioners. Ralph V. Haile Jr. /U.S. Bank Foun- The case presented was very ef- dation. fective and Commissioners were In early spring, the framework of impressed by the large turnout of the plan to make repairs of $208.2 support—more than 100 who ap- million for Union Terminal and plauded the speech enthusiasti- $123.5 million for Music Hall was cally. Public Hearings were launched to County Officials. Skep- announced as to be held on July 7 MUSIC HALL Marks 23rd and 28th. County Commis- vation said “being on the list is a sioners, Greg Hartman, Chris dubious distinction. But it’s been Monzel and Todd Portune have successful in raising awareness until August 6 to make a decision about America’s cultural resources. whether to put this issue on the No- We have found that it can be a real vember ballot. shot in the arm for local communi- Opera ties to rally Director and around CEO Patricia places they Beggs, said love and “What’s clear which are to all of us, threatened.” the Music Hall Momentum is tenant repre- building with sentatives and support ral- the Music Hall lies planned. Revitalization Landor Asso- Company ciates, one of board, is that the most the tax initia- sought after tive is our very branding and best hope of design agen- being able to cies which do the optimal produces the (Top (l to r)Hamilton County Commisioners, Chris renovation.” Monzel, Todd Portune and Greg Hartman (below) animated She indicated Music Hall and Cincinnati Museum (Union Terminal) light show that partnering LumenoCity, with the Cincinnati Museum Center has developed a music video for is an advantage to obtaining a suc- the Save Our Icons campaign.