Monash's 'Great Hall' celebrates 35 years

May 2006

For 35 years, Monash University's Robert Blackwood Concert Hall has been a centre for cultural activities and the focus of the university's ceremonial occasions.

Report: Karen Stichtenoth
Photography: Greg Ford

In June this year, the renowned Robert Blackwood Concert Hall, located at Monash's Clayton campus, celebrates 35 years of operation.

Colourful history: Ms Joan Sayers (left) and Ms Jan Clancy in front of the hall's famous stained glass window.

Sir Roy Grounds, architect of the Victorian Arts Centre, designed the hall, which opened in June 1971. It took nearly three years to construct at a cost of $1.2 million.

Named after Monash's first Chancellor, Sir Robert Blackwood, the distinctive red brick hall has carved an impressive reputation among the performers, musicians and artists who have graced its highly polished, parquet timber stage.

The hall has been used for exams, concerts, school speech nights, plays, talks, festivals and music recordings, but for many, the hall is best remembered as the venue of their graduation.

Its centrepiece is a magnificent baroque pipe organ, built to honour Monash's founding Vice-Chancellor, Sir Louis Matheson.

The Sir Louis Matheson Pipe Organ, considered one the finest instruments of its kind, was built by master organ builder and designer Juergen Ahrend in Germany over a two-year period and installed in 1981.

Last September it celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special concert of classic works performed by acclaimed keyboard artist and Monash University organist Mr John O'Donnell.

A stained glass window, created by Leonard French and named in honour of Australian industrialist and generous benefactor to the university Sir Lindesay Clark, dominates the hall's western wall.

In the foyer hangs the large Roger Kemp Tapestry, 'The Cross', funded by Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC DBE and woven at the Victorian Tapestry Workshop.

The hall, which seats 1598, is famed for its acoustic qualities, and this was an important aspect of its construction.

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has performed and recorded at the hall since the mid-1970s. It has also been the venue of choice for the Melba Recordings, nationally acclaimed choirs and many high-profile commercial recordings.

Operations manager Ms Joan Sayers, who has worked at the hall since 1974, has seen it grow in popularity and prestige. She says it was the hall's first manager -- legendary personality Mr Don Vincent -- who put the venue on the performance map.

"Don's background was in show business," Ms Sayers says. "He worked at the Tivoli for many years and was well connected with many of the artists who came to perform such as Australian rock legend Johnny O'Keefe and international performers Eartha Kitt, Warren Mitchell and Dick Emery.

"The Robert Blackwood Concert Hall is without a doubt one of the finest acoustic halls in the Southern Hemisphere.

"World-renowned conductor Hiroyuki Iwaki, who conducted several concerts featuring the works of composer Gustav Mahler, referred to the hall as 'Mahler Hall', such was his regard for the venue."

These days the hall is booked solidly for events year round, with productions as diverse as children's pop group Hi5, the Melbourne School Bands Festival and concerts by international performers.

In addition, 26 graduations and a special international graduation are held at the hall during the year -- each a major production in itself.

The Director of the Monash University Arts Centres, Ms Jan Clancy, says the hall's pre-eminent position is testament to the grand vision of the university's founders.

"The hall was a visionary project to place Monash at the forefront of performing arts," she says. "Its superb acoustics ensure that it remains one of the great halls in Australia and deserves its special place in the Monash landscape."