Performing Arts Center at Texas A and M University

History:
Ground was officially broken for the stunning $18 million Performing Arts Center (PAC) at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi on October 31, 2002. Overlooking beautiful Corpus Christi Bay, the PAC will serve the university's many ensembles and be home to an annual Performing Arts Series produced by the university featuring internationally known performers. The PAC will serve as the principal performing venue for the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra.

The Performing Arts Center is made possible in part through a generous contribution of $3.5 million from philanthropist and former publisher of the Corpus Christi Caller-Times Ed Harte and his wife Janet. Local financial consultant and longtime supporter of the arts Samuel Frech gave a $1 million gift to the Performing Arts Center.

The center opened to great acclaim in April, 2005, with a gala opening performance by Grammy winning Tejano legend Freddy Fender. Numerous performances followed for a two-week grand opening period culminating with the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra featuring world-renowned pianist Van Cliburn. The PAC will continue to offer world-class performances through their Furgason Bravo! Series for the Performing Arts which will feature national and international artists. The Performing Arts Center will be the principal performance venue for the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra.

This world class, acoustically superb Concert Hall will push Corpus Christi to the forefront of cultural arts and entertainment in South Texas and features a 1500-seat Concert Hall with state-of-art acoustics, a striking 50-foot glass-walled lobby that faces Ocean Drive offering a beautiful 360-degree view of the Corpus Christi bay and the downtown skyline, and a versatile Greenroom for more intimate gatherings and receptions.

In order to ensure the quality of the unparalleled design and acoustics of the Performing Arts Center, the architects of record, Corpus Christi based Cotton, Landreth, Kramer Architects & Associates, Inc., approached renowned theatre and acoustic consultants. The New York City design firm of Hardy, Holzman, Pfeiffer Architects was asked to consult on the project. They recently completed the restoration of Radio City Music Hall and have designed similar halls throughout the country. Theatre consultants Fisher Dachs Associates, based in New York and winners of seven Tony Awards for previous designs, were also consulted. And, Jaffe Holden Acoustics, Inc. based in Norwalk, Conn. was consulted for their expertise in acoustics. Recent achievements by these notable companies are Bass Hall in Ft. Worth, Texas, the concert hall refurbish at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C., and work on the new Zankel Hall as a third performance space in New York's Carnegie Hall.