On September 7, 2016, members of the Ravinia Women’s Board were treated to a special tour of the new Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Center for he Musical Arts by Tori-Marie Montgomery, Dean of Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music.

Opened in 2015, the Center is situated on the lakefront adjacent to Northwestern’s Regenstein Hall of Music.  The building, designed by Chicago based architects, Goettsch Partners, features a limestone base supporting an exterior that is primarily glass – taking maximum advantage of the site’s lakefront location.  The building integrates completely with the adjacent Regenstein Hall of Music, with two connections between the buildings on each of Regenstein’s three levels.

The building’s main entrance opens onto a soaring glass atrium, with lounge and reception areas offering views of the lake and downtown Chicago.  In addition, the atrium serves as the lobby for the 400 seat Mary B. Galvin Recital Hall with an interior, designed by Kirkegaard Associates, that features a glass wall offering stunning views of the Chicago skyline.

The Shirley Welsh Ryan Opera Theater, a 150 seat black box theater, provides an integral, flexible space for opera rehearsals as well as an intimate venue for small one-act operas and other performances by students and faulty.  Also on the building’s first floor is the 120 seat David and Carol McClintock Choral and Recital Room, as well as several classrooms, all with exterior windows.

The second level of the building includes offices for admissions and financial aid, student affairs, career services, IT support and web communications.  Practice rooms and faculty studios and offices occupy most of the third level with administrative offices on the fourth and fifth levels.

Special thanks to Rachel Davis Mersey and to Membership Engagement Co-Chairs Mary Boyer and Caroline Huebner for arranging this wonderful event.