Building Severance Hall (1929-1931)
Severance Music Center, home of The Cleveland Orchestra, was built in University Circle during the Great Depression and still stands today as America's most beautiful concert hall
John Long Severance
Board President 1921 to 1936
An early advocate for The Cleveland Orchestra, John L. Severance, along with his wife Elisabeth, actively promoted and supported the founding of the Orchestra, even paying the first year's salary of founding conductor Nikolai Sokoloff.
The Orchestra performed their first season at Grays Armory near downtown Cleveland.
Masonic Auditorium 1919-1931
The Orchestra performed at newly built Masonic Auditorium until Severance Hall opened on the east side in 1931. It was here, during the tenth anniversary concert, that John and Elisabeth Severance announced their $1 million dollar gift to the Orchestra to build a permanent home.
John and Elisabeth Severance (1925/1925) by unknownThe Cleveland Orchestra
John and Elisabeth Severance, Benefactors of Severance Hall
Thanks to their original pledge and John’s continued support following his wife’s death, construction was completed in 1931, and the hall was named in the Severances’ honor. This lasting legacy gave us one of the most beautiful concert halls in the world.
Severance Groundbreaking (1929/1929) by Dudley BrumbachThe Cleveland Orchestra
Groundbreaking
John Long Severance, then-president of the Musical Arts Association (the non-profit that oversees The Cleveland Orchestra), is wearing a black armband to commemorate his wife’s death on January 25, 1929 as he breaks ground for the hall on November 14, 1929.
Foundation and basement (1929/1929) by Walker & WeeksThe Cleveland Orchestra
Foundation
Basement and foundation work begins in earnest.
Construction begins (1929/1929) by Walker & WeeksThe Cleveland Orchestra
The Beginning
The first snapshot of Severance Hall’s location was a snowy wasteland.
Crane (1930/1930) by Walker & WeeksThe Cleveland Orchestra
Taking Shape
The very first steel beams outlining the iconic shape of Severance Hall.
Frame (1930/1930) by Walker & WeeksThe Cleveland Orchestra
Frame is Up
Now fully framed in its iconic shape, masonry can begin
Stone halfway (1930/1930) by Walker & WeeksThe Cleveland Orchestra
Halfway There
Workmen standing on the walls survey their progress
Cornerstone Laying (1930/1930) by unknownThe Cleveland Orchestra
Cornerstone Ceremony
The cornerstone (left) was laid on May 2, 1930. Mr. Severance is holding the ceremonial trowel used to smooth the mortar, and Adella Prentiss Hughes is carrying a time capsule.
Columns added (1930/1930) by Walker & WeeksThe Cleveland Orchestra
Nearing Exterior Completion
Front view (1930/1930) by Walker & WeeksThe Cleveland Orchestra
Dedication of Severance Hall
This commemorative book includes the signatures of everyone who attended opening night, February 5, 1931. Sergei Rachmaninoff attended as a guest of Nikolai Sokoloff, and both their names are listed here.
First Program
This commemorative program was gilded in silver to match the hall’s interior, which uses aluminum leaf extensively throughout.
Board Room (1931/1931) by Carl F. WaiteThe Cleveland Orchestra
Board Room
Originally used for Meetings of the Board of Trustees this room was designed to imitate a grand parlor – like one might find on Millionaires’ Row on Cleveland’s Euclid Avenue.
Grand Foyer (1931/1931) by Carl F. WaiteThe Cleveland Orchestra
Grand Foyer
The front entrance of Severance Hall is adorned with murals, marble columns, and a terrazzo floor bearing the lotus flower design, supposedly Mrs. Severance's favorite flower.
Organ (1931/1931) by Carl F. WaiteThe Cleveland Orchestra
Organ
Initial configuration and location (above the stage) of the Norton Memorial Organ, an E.M. Skinner organ original to the building. The organ has 6,025 pipes.
Motor driveway (1931/1931) by Carl F. WaiteThe Cleveland Orchestra
Motor Driveway
On the ground level, the hall had a full service driveway for dropping off guests before concerts.
Front view finished (1931/1931) by Carl F. WaiteThe Cleveland Orchestra
Finished Exterior
Completed building minus the name which was carved six months after it opened.
Orchestra Portrait (1931/1931) by Carl F. WaiteThe Cleveland Orchestra
Nikolai Sokoloff and The Cleveland Orchestra
1931 Opening of Severance
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