Work underway to restore Barber Institute of Fine Arts concert hall
Sep 2 2008 By Emma McKinney
WORK is well underway to restore an historic concert hall in Birmingham to its former glory.
Builders and restoration experts have spent the last few months tirelessly working to transform the hall at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts in Edgbaston back to its original Art Deco splendour.
The hall, which was first opened in 1939 by Queen Mary, will be formally re-opened on Friday, October 3. The celebrations will include a special public concert with performances from top musicians.
Colin Timms, professor of music at the institute, which is based in the grounds of the University of Birmingham and also includes an art gallery, said: “This is usually the quietest part of the calender for the institute, but this summer has turned out to be something of an exciting period.
“We’ve had an extremely successful summer loan art exhibition and of course there’s the restoration work, which is in full swing.
“It is clear from what has been done that, for those of us who have grown familiar with the hall’s recent degraded appearance, the result is going to be quite spectacular.
“Throughout the restoration process every feature of the concert hall has been carefully considered so that the venue will resemble as closely as possible the hall that was first opened to the public all those decades ago.
“We’re now looking forward to it being re-opened and an autumn full of promise and celebration.”
Following the re-opening, the hall will be used to stage a host of concerts throughout autumn and the winter, including performances every Friday lunchtime by the Young Concert Artists Trust.
* For more information or to book tickets call the Box Office on 0121 414 7333 or visit www.barber.org.uk
