Maverick Concerts is Installing New Seating

WOODSTOCK – Maverick Concerts is pleased to announce it is replacing its indoor benches in time for the start of the 2017 festival season, thanks to funding received from the Thompson Family Foundation. In doing so, the famed “music chapel in the woods,” designed and built by Hervey White in 1915, will have as many seats as before with wheelchair seating designations provided in several areas. The original 1900s bencheswill remain in the expanded outdoor seating area.

The emphasis of the new bench design, with forest green cushions and a natural Watco finish on locally sourced pine, is ergonomiccomfort. The use of pine, which absorbs a minimum of sound, will further ensure the famed concert hall’s near perfect acoustics. The design of the new benches holds true to that of the previous ones, with some notable adjustments.They willprovide more comfort in what Maverick officials say will be an even more intimate environment.

To make room for the new, Maverick Concerts’ Chair Emerita Cornelia Rosenblum, whose late husband Edgardonated the former benches to Maverick Concerts in 1963, made arrangements for them to be relocated to the Kaatsbaan International Dance Center in Tivoli, NY.  They will be used for seating in the Stanford White Music Barn which is undergoing restoration and will soon housea visitor reception area, shops,and exhibition galleries.

The new benches are being created by architect/designer Jonathon Walko ofStephen Tilly & Associates and historic preservation specialist Mark Peritz of The Joy of Building (J.O.B. Construction Co.). Project upholsterers are Chris Rielly& Associates of Kinderhook; fabrication and assembly was provided by Excelsior Wood Productsof Kingston. All work is being done in keeping with the board’s policy to use locally sourced materials and support local businesses.

The project is spearheaded by Maverick Building Committee members Neil Larson, Lawrence Posner, Susan Rizwani, Angela P. Schapiro, David Segal, David Wiebe, and guestJay Wenk.“Maverick preservation, renovation and new construction work has been amazing over the decades,and the new bench project is no exception,” says Sondra Siegel, Board member and Building Committee Chair. “The hall has been here for many generations and it is truly iconic. The new seating will most certainly cushionmusic revelersinto the nexthundred years of our celebrated programming in a beautiful way!”